Page 29 of The Reno
EIGHT
My face burned like a bushfire. Sandra announced my arrival at Everly Heath like I was the fucking queen on a tour of the UK.
“My niece, Kat, has moved up here from London. She is renovating a house on Evanshore Road.”
“Rose’s old place?” someone shouted out.
“Yes,” Sandra said.
“Didn’t Brian and Jim live there when they were little?” another voice piped up.
“Yes, they did,” Sandra explained. “The house has sentimental value to the family, so Kat would like to renovate it. Then, it will be put on the market.”
“She’s going to do it up and then sell it?” a woman in her fifties asked.
“Typical,” someone mumbled.
All of those eyes shifted back to me, judgemental. Whispers broke out amongst the crowd.
Thank you, Auntie Sandra.
Now I was the gentrifying southerner, here to make a quick buck.
Liam chuckled beside me. “Try and win them back now.”
“It’s her choice. It was her late father’s home,” Sandra insisted, and some of the murmurs stopped. “She would like to bring the house back to life so that another family can build memories of their own.”
I spotted some nods and shrugs amongst the members. I didn’t love that Sandra mentioned Dad, but I supposed in a town this gossipy, it was only a matter of time before people put two and two together and realised I was Jim Williams’s daughter.
“So, I would like to ask anyone—tradesmen or women for help. She’s looking for a builder. And before you lot start”—Sandra glanced at Liam—“the Hunters are busy with their lot. They can’t spare any work.”
So, Sandra must have had a word with Liam. How had she done that so quickly? God, between Pat and Sandra, I wouldn’t want to mess with the women of Everly Heath. They worked quickly.
Sandra continued, “I thought I’d bring it to the club and see if anyone knew of any trustworthy tradesmen—”
“I might be able to spare some time,” a ginger man piped up. He glanced behind, greeting me with a warm smile, and hope bloomed in my chest. “I can come over tomorrow—”
I felt a movement and then a tall shadow loomed over me.
“I’ll do it,” Liam’s voice called out, resolute.
Sandra’s mouth fell open. “Oh. Are you sure, Liam? I thought—”
“I said I’ll do it.”
I stood up, looking at Liam. “What are you doing?” I said throughgritted teeth.
“I’m solving your problem, Red.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
“Hm, that’s funny. Because about half an hour ago, you were begging me—”
“I didn’t beg.”
Or I hadn’t got around to it.
“—and asking if I’d come and take another look.”
