Page 53 of Just the Beginning

‘You’ve thought of something.’

Rick raised an eyebrow as he glanced down at her. ‘Aren’t you a bit fed up of my ideas?’

Anya gave him a little shake. ‘Don’t keep me in suspense. Spill it!’

‘It might be nothing, but Matt was talking about how much work he and Ryan have on. There’s so many refurbishment projects around, with people snapping up places as holiday homes, that he was saying they’re almost turning work away. I don’t know if Jason has the right skill set, though.’

‘But it would be worth asking the question.’ Anya leaned up to kiss him again. ‘It’s a good idea.’

He tightened his arms around her and pulled her in for another kiss. ‘I thought you wanted me to mind my own business.’

She laughed. ‘I didn’t say that. I’m going to need all the support you can give me, but I also need to stand on my own two feet for a change.’

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. ‘I’ll do my best, I promise.’

26

‘Morning, Anya! Lovely day for it,’ Jim said as he swung through the revolving door. Now the hot weather had really kicked in he’d shed his fleece and had teamed his ever-present shorts with a short-sleeved uniform shirt that already looked a little worse for wear. Even with a fan beneath the desk blasting cool air onto her, the back of her own shirt was sticking to Anya’s back. She couldn’t imagine how much hotter he must be lugging that massive sack around in the full heat of the sun. Not that he seemed bothered about it. Come rain or shine, Jim was bright and cheery. Perhaps she should ask him what he had for breakfast, because a slice of toast and a cup of tea wasn’t putting any kind of pep in her step.

‘Morning. What have you got for me today?’

‘Oh, the usual: bills, bills and more bills!’ Face wreathed in that ever-cheerful grin, he dropped half a dozen envelopes bound up in a rubber band on top of the reception desk, then rummaged in his bag. ‘And there’s a parcel for you to sign for, as well.’

Anya made an incomprehensible squiggle on the screen ofthe electronic scanner he held out to her. If anyone had ever managed to produce anything close to their actual signature on one of those damn things it would be a miracle.

Or witchcraft.

She frowned at the label on the box for a second then spotted the supplier’s name in the corner. ‘Fab! That’s the new drain trap I ordered for Room 12. I wasn’t expecting it so soon but I can fit it this afternoon before the new guests check in tomorrow.’

Jim grinned. ‘You’re a plumber now too, are you? Is there no end to your talents?’

‘Ha! More like there’s no start to them. Poor Davy had no idea how useless I was when he took me on, but he’s teaching me all sorts of things I should probably already know.’

The postman frowned. ‘You shouldn’t put yourself down like that, lovie. I think the way you’re trying to turn your life around is remarkable. A lot of people would’ve stayed beaten by what you’ve been through, but here you are dusting yourself off and starting again. There’s a lot to be said for that.’

Anya didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or pleased, so she opted for pleased. It was silly to think she could pretend everyone didn’t know her circumstances and Jim would be horrified if he thought he’d said anything to upset her. ‘Thanks, Jim. It feels like a long road sometimes but I’m getting there.’

‘That’s all that counts.’ He looked past her, frowning when he saw the office was empty. ‘Where’s his lordship?’

‘He’s making us a drink. He’ll be back any minute if you want to hang on.’

‘My, how the tables have turned! One of these days I’ll walk in and find you sat in that office with your feet up, you mark my words!’

‘I doubt it somehow, but I appreciate the vote of confidence.’

Jim tapped the top of the desk. ‘Well, let’s see where you are this time next year. Right, places to go, people to see!’

‘Bye, Jim!’

Anya set the box to one side and lifted down the little stack of post. She took off the rubber band and popped it in the empty butter tub sitting on the desk. When the tub was full, she would stick them all in a spare envelope and give them back to Jim. She had no idea if he used them again, but it felt better than throwing them away. She had just finished slitting open the envelopes when Davy came back with the tea things balanced on a tray. ‘Do you want tea here?’ He spotted the post. ‘Jim’s been, has he?’

She nodded. ‘Yup. Not much today. Take the pot through to the office and I’ll join you in a minute. It won’t take long to jot what’s here down in the book.’

‘All right, pet. Come through when you’re ready.’

Anya grinned at him. ‘Oh, and the tap arrived, so guess what we’re doing this afternoon.’ She patted the top of the box.

‘And there was me thinking I’d be able to sit back and relax on my lovely new cushion,’ Davy grumbled, but he was smiling as he did so.

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