Page 69 of He's the One

“Terrible with ladders.”

“Really?”

“I still want to go up.”

Col had passed the small house that they were heading for every day that he’d been working here and never seen the owner. A slate sign by the side of the door saidAsquith Lodge.

The door opened as Theo reached out to knock. The guy who stood in front of them was maybe in his late-forties, or early fifties, tall and good-looking with short silvery-grey hair and wearing the same clothes as Theo.

“James, this is Col,” Theo said. “He hasn’t been fighting. He was attacked after the promises auction.”

“That was you?” James raised his eyebrows. “Are you okay?”

Col nodded. “I’m fine.” He held out his hand. “Col Hammond. Thank you for this opportunity.”

The guy shook his hand. “James Ward. Call me James. Come on in.” When Theo tried to go in too, James stopped him. “Not you. You won’t be able to keep your mouth shut.”

“But I know the difference between a shovel and a spade!”

James hmmed. “What are you doing today? Garden, gift shop, guiding?”

“With you. This morning, anyway.”

“Luis and Ambrose are tidying the kitchen garden. You can give them a hand. Ask them if they know the difference between a spade and a shovel, then duck.”

Theo shot Col a smile before he left.

Col followed James to a surprisingly modern sitting room for an old-looking house. One wall was full of books.

“Like a coffee? Tea?” James asked.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Take a seat.”

Col perched on the couch. He was more nervous than he should have been. It wasn’t so much about the job, but this guy was important to Theo and Col wanted to make a good impression.

James sat opposite. “Tell me what you’ve been doing up to now.”

Col gave him a potted history of his employment. At least he had a period of gardening to talk about.

“How are you at following instructions?”

“Good. I’ve had to be. Stonemasonry work needs accuracy and it can be dangerous.”

“And if I told you to leave Theo alone?”

Col tensed. “You can ask. I’d say no unless you give me a compelling reason why I should. And it would have to be very compelling.”

“He hasn’t had an easy life. I know it might not look that way, but it’s the truth. He’s still…very young.”

“I’m only a few years older.” Col didn’t add that he’d not had an easy life either, not until his mid-teens, and his history still hung like an albatross around his neck. “I know he’s not…” Col fought for the right word. “…experienced. I’m not pushing him. I’d never hurt him.”

“You might not mean to.”

“I want the chance to get to know him.”

“And when you’re offered a job as a stonemason somewhere in the north of England?”

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