Page 15 of A Clean Sweep

As she stood back to let him in their arms brushed, and Emily felt as if several thousand volts had passed through her.

She couldn't be sure but – judging by Joe's slightly flustered expression – he had felt it too.

He paused for a second, as if he was about to say something, then continued along the hallway.

‘So, can I get you anything? Or would you just like to get down to it?’

This time Emily's face flamed red. She had luckily escaped the dreaded hot flushes of the menopause but imagined this was how it felt. Except she couldn't blame her hormones, just her propensity for unintended innuendo.

‘You know, a coffee would be great. I'll have that washer changed in a jiffy then we can have a chat. If you've got time, that is.’

If he'd picked up on her double meaning then he was too gallant to mention it. Although there was a definite mischievous twinkle in his eyes before he bent down to retrieve the necessary bits from his toolbox.

Leaving him to it, Emily hastened to the kitchen to boil the kettle.

Her face had cooled down but her insides were still a knot of mortification laced with a liberal dose of lust. Did she really believe that Joe could possibly be interested in her, when he could have his pick of lithe lovelies?

With not a stretchmark or wrinkle in sight, and at least two decades away from their half century.

As she spooned coffee into the pot, a terrible thought struck her.

What if she reminded him of his dead mum?

A kind of twisted version of Oedipus complex, his desire for his deceased mother transferred to Emily instead?

Or maybe he just got his kicks toying with the affections of middle-aged women, secretly laughing behind their backs as they lapped it up?

He must encounter quite a lot of desperate and sex-starved housewives in his trade, probably greeting him in flimsy negligees and deliberately flaunting their saggy bosoms. Perhaps he enjoyed the odd romp between the sheets, saw it as a service to the old and needy.

Like meals on wheels or changing dressings on weeping, ulcerated legs.

OK, maybe a bit more pleasant, but still.

She shuddered at the thought of Joe bed-hopping his way around the county, leaving a trail of heartache in his wake.

‘All finished. No more drips. Ah, thanks, just what I need.’

Joe smiled warmly as Emily handed him his steaming mug of coffee.

She smiled back, mentally remonstrating with herself for thinking such dark, evil thoughts.

He was as much a serial seducer of housewives as she was prone to pouncing on unsuspecting workmen.

And she wasn't wearing a diaphanous nightie, just a plain black vest top and jeans.

Plus her undies were several years old and hardly likely to inflame a young man's desire. Any man's desire, for that matter.

‘Listen, Emily. I meant it when I said I'd be happy to help with any other jobs you might need doing.

I know you're uncomfortable with not paying me but I don't want anything for the tap.

That was nothing, honestly. The truth is …

well, I don't want to seem forward or make you feel awkward but …

I really enjoy your company. I think you're a lovely lady and … I wond ered would you like to maybe go out some time? With me?’

If Emily had been speechless at the end of his last visit, she was positively struck dumb now at Joe's words, particularly as he was gazing at her with an expression both bashful and hopeful.

And the other five dwarfs, although definitely not grumpy.

She certainly didn't feel remotely like Snow White, more Sleeping Beauty woken from years of slumber by a kiss from a handsome prince.

Not that he'd kissed her – yet – but he'd asked her out! On a date! Which usually led to…

‘I'd like that. Very much.’

Emily managed to control herself and her tendency to babble when placed in an awkward situation. Chiefly because it didn't really feel awkward, not when Joe looked ridiculously pleased at her response. He set his mug down and reached for his phone.

‘Give me your mobile number and I'll text you later.

I just need to check my agenda back at the office.

We sometimes get evening call-outs but I'm pretty sure I'm free this Friday, if you are.

There's a nice little bistro a couple of miles away that opened recently and I've heard it's really good.

Chez Jacques it's called, does these amazing steaks on hot stones.

And lots of other things if you're not big into meat. What do you think?’

Emily thought she had died and gone to heaven. Or maybe she was destined for the hot, burny place but right there and then she didn't care if Lucifer himself materialised and signed her up as a horned minion.

‘That sounds wonderful. Here's my number.’

She reeled it off, Joe typing away with his tongue snagged between his pearly whites in the most adorable fashion.

‘All done. So, I'd best be off for now but I'll be in touch to confirm. Say, 7.30 and I'll swing by and pick you up? ’

Emily nodded her assent, rising to her feet to see him to the door. He stopped for a moment, raised his hand and touched her lightly on the cheek.

‘See you soon, Emily.’

And then he was gone. Leaving her with the sensation of being scorched inside and out. The fire had been well and truly lit and she had no idea what the flames had in store.