Page 34 of Savage Redemption

“A plumber? You have the certificate to prove it?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that, sir. I always require sight of qualifications when I hire new crew.”

Lord spare me from honest traders!“Not here, obviously. I can have it to show you by tomorrow.” I can arrange a forgery by then.

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. Provided I’m satisfied with your documentation, I’ll put you down to join the crew when we reach that stage.”

“Stage? What do you mean?”

“I won’t require plumbers or electricians until later on, once the outer shells are up and the roofs on. Six weeks or so. That’s when we start the fit-out, as I’m sure you know, being a plumber…”

I swear she smirks at me.

“I’ll do labouring until then. Unskilled work.”

“Do you have a CSCS card?”

Even I know that’s the standard health and safety requirement before anyone can set foot on a construction site. It indicates an awareness and basic training in site safety.

“Of course,” I lie. Another item to forge. “I’ll show you it tomorrow.”

“Will you also have my contract drawn up by then and be in a position to make a downpayment?”

“Of course. And one more thing, Ms Bartley.”

“Yes?”

“I need you to keep our arrangement to yourself. As far as the customer and client are concerned, I’m just an ordinary labourer.”

“Plumber, not labourer.”

“Plumber, yes. Same goes for the rest of the crew. No special treatment. And stop calling me sir. I just want to blend in.”

“May I ask why, sir? This is… unusual.”

I trot out the explanation I dreamed up earlier. “I make it my business to know at first hand what’s going on in any projects I fund. There’s no substitute for direct experience on the job, I find. But it’s vital to remain incognito to get an accurate picture.”

“May I assure you, my record is second to none. There’s no need to check up on me, I can provide regular updates as the work progresses. And you’ll have client feedback as well.”

“It’s no reflection on you, Ms Bartley. As you say, your credentials are exemplary. But I do find it pays to be thorough.”

“I see.” Her expression suggests she doesn’t, but she appears satisfied. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Same time, okay?”

“Tomorrow, Ms Bartley.” I offer her my hand.

She shakes it. “Oh, and it’s just Bex.”

A month has passed,and the works on Caraksay are scheduled to commence. I’m to join the crew, initially as an unskilled labourer. I’m hoping my purpose will be accomplished before there’s any need to demonstrate my questionable prowess as a plumber.

Ethan Savage insists that the crew are ferried across each morning, and back to the mainland every evening, despite itbeing over a four-hour crossing each way. No one is allowed to remain on his island overnight, and access to areas not directly involved in the works is strictly prohibited. Any workman not complying with his terms will be removed from the job.

It’s an early start, even for this industry. We assemble on the harbour at Oban at five o’clock in the morning, ready to board Savage’s private ferry. The boat bobs at anchor as final supplies and materials are loaded, and I join the men assisting in humping sacks of concrete along the jetty.

It pays to show willing.

Bex Bartley was here before any of us, dealing with last-minute details, and is now supervising the loading. Nothing gets past her eagle eye. I make a mental note to keep her in mind should I require a construction crew in the future.

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