Page 53 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Jack was lost. He’d walked Graham but had missed Ava’s hand in his, alongside her constant chatter. He’d been out for a run on his own, but his mind was flooded with thoughts of wondering what she was doing. Was she missing him, too?
He went to the hotel, but he’d been disappointed because she wasn’t there. Instead, he called to see how Harry was going on with the cottage. After the funeral, they had got together to discuss what needed doing and agreed a price for Harry to complete it within four months.
The first thing he noticed when he got there was the skip parked in front of it, half full of kitchen remnants and rolled-up carpets.
He stepped inside the chaos, the radio disguising his movements.
He chuckled when he saw Eliza holding up an electric steamer, singing at the top of her voice as she worked. He hadn’t expected to see her there.
He waved to get her attention and then went through to the kitchen where he could see the back of Harry. After removing the sink and temporarily capping off the water supply, he was grappling with pulling out the sink unit.
‘Hey, how’s it going?’ he asked. ‘You certainly seem to be making progress.’
Harry turned his head. ‘Just the man. Can you give me a hand with this? I’d ask Eliza but I prefer to listen to her singing from a distance.’
‘I heard that!’ Eliza cried, stepping into the room. ‘And there’s me giving you free labour. No more French Fancies for you, Harry Healey.’
Both men laughed, and then Jack helped Harry to remove the worktop and carry it through to the skip.
Jack wiped his hands together to rid him of the dust. ‘I never thought I’d see the day that Eliza got down and dirty.’
‘I’m saying nothing.’ Harry smirked. ‘But it was a nice surprise when she offered to help.’
Jack shook his head in astonishment. Maybe this fixer-upper might be a good thing for both his sister and his friend. Or maybe the ways of his matchmaking mother were rubbing off on him.
‘Erm, I am in the room, you know.’ Eliza waved a hand in front of herself. ‘I thought it was the least I could do, seeing as I’m going to be living here once it’s finished. And of course, someone needs to supervise Harry to see that he isn’t slacking off.’
‘The cheek of it.’ Harry bantered. ‘She stops every fifteen minutes for a cup of tea.’
‘Did someone mention tea?’ Eliza smiled sweetly.
Jack laughed to himself. It was like stepping back in time, hearing the banter when they were teenagers. And it was wonderful. Just wonderful.