Page 80 of The House of Hopes and Dreams
‘I think you’re heading the same way with Mossby,’ I told him. Then, with a last glance back at my treasures, I reluctantly headed off to shower and change. He was quite right, because I was stiff and tired as well as filthy, but it had been a long and fruitful weekend.
When I went down into the kitchen on Monday morning, Carey reminded me that it was the day the sale of his flat was completed and the money would go into the bank.
‘Just as well, since the electrician’s starting on your workshop today.I think he sees updating all the electrics at Mossby as his life’s work and perpetual income,’ he added gloomily.
‘But it urgently needs updating and extending, because it’s a fire hazard as it is, so you may as well bite the bullet and get everything done while you’ve got the money.’
‘You’re right, and I’ll ask him to extend the lighting into the attics and all the cellars and outbuildings, while he’s at it … And come to think of it, I’ve no idea what state the wiring at the Lodge is in.’
‘That’s a point. You’re probably responsible for repairs to the Lodge, so you ought to see over it.’
‘I think I’ll leave it for now, unless they actually complain about anything. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.’
I ate my slab of bread and honey standing in front of the Lady Anne cartoon, but had to tear myself away eventually so I could let the electrician into the workshop and discuss what needed doing.
He was a small, wiry, energetic man who nodded briskly at everything I said, though his eyes were roving around, taking in the archaic ceiling lights, the old fuse box with the door hanging off and a few anonymous cables pinned along the walls in loops.
He poked and rummaged about and came back just as Ivan arrived in his old car. ‘Accident waiting to happen, all that old wiring,’ he said, shaking hands with Ivan, man to man.
‘I know it all needs replacing and I’ll want lots of wall sockets, too. I’ll show you where,’ I said briskly. ‘And much better lighting over the tables.’
‘There’s going to be two little electric water heaters to be wired in, as well,’ Ivan reminded me.
‘Yes, the plumber’s getting those and a small hand basin for the cloakroom, which he’s going to fit later today.’
‘That’s no problem,’ the electrician said, scribbling in a ratty-edged notebook.
I explained about the air filtration system and big kiln that would be arriving later, and that I’d be using electric storage heaters to keep the place warm. I could see pound signs shining in his eyes like stars.
‘I’ll get going then,’ he said, finally. ‘I’ll be off to get a few things, and then I’ll be back to make a start this afternoon.’
I hoped he meant it and wasn’t going to disappear for a month, like many workmen I’d employed in the past … until I remembered what Carey had said about Mossby being his bread and butter till he retired.
I showed him and Ivan where I’d hidden a key to the side door, so they could let themselves in when I wasn’t there, until I got more spares cut.
Actually, it was practically standing-room only at the workshop that afternoon, what with the electrician, the plumber and his hulking and almost silent assistant. As I painted walls and Ivan made endless cups of tea for everyone, the plumber held rambling conversations with anyone who’d listen about his racing pigeons.
Carey popped down with some cheese and pickle sandwiches and stayed on for ages, fascinated by the arcane intricacies of plumbing and wiring.
‘Did you ask the pub if they could get us a regular crate of Old Spoggit Brown, for Ivan?’ I asked.
‘Yes, and I can pick up the first tomorrow. And my agent rang to say the studio had asked for my new forwarding address last week, so they could finally send on my fan mail. I assumed everyone had forgotten me, once the initial interest in my accident had worn off.’
‘Ididn’t,’ I said. ‘I bet the Post Office will need to lay on a special van for it all.’
Clem was passing later when I was outside undercoating the side door, and said Vicky had gone back to London for a catalogue shoot, but he expected she’d be back again before long, unless her agent came up with something better.
‘Her mother misses her,’ he said. Just then Ella rounded the bend and passed us on her way up the drive towards the house, ignoring us as if we weren’t there.
Clem looked embarrassed. ‘Ella’s still upset about losing her job. She’ll get over it, but she’s always spent a lot of time in the old wing of the house and I don’t think she can break the habit.’
‘Evidently not,’ I agreed.
‘She’s at a bit of a loose end, without anything else to do.’
‘Carey really doesn’t mind if she wants to go up there and … potter about,’ I assured him. ‘But the specialist cleaners will keep the place in order now.’
‘She’s looked after it perfectly well single-handedly all these years,’ he said stubbornly.
