“Maybe pull it out of the way?” he said, teasing me.
I heard it, I was sure I had. A laugh escaped my mouth. Miller looked at me but didn’t say anything and I was thankful. If my voice was coming back, I didn’t want a fuss made, for fear it might go again. I pulled the branch to the side of the lane.
“Ready for some more admiring, Mrs. Hampton?” Miller said, as he raised the chainsaw and pulled on the starter cord. With one foot back on the trunk, he posed with the chainsaw, resting on his knee, and lowered his visor again.
“Dani, I wish I’d brought a couple of chairs and a flask,” she said.
I pointed to my chest and then down the lane, I wanted to indicate to her that I was leaving. I’d have loved to stay longer, simply to enjoy listening to her banter but I was cold.
“Come on by the shop soon, we can have a cup of tea,” she called out as I skirted the tree.
“I’ll be down later today, if I can get away from Mrs. Hampton in one piece, Dani,” Miller said. Their laughter followed me down the lane.
I smiled as I walked home.
“That’s a nice thing to see,” Dad said, as I walked through the front door.
I bumped into Mrs. Hampton and Miller. A tree had fallen down; he was cutting it up. I think Mrs. Hampton has a thing for him, I wrote on a pad.
Dad laughed. “Mrs. Hampton has a thing for anyone. She quite scares me sometimes.”
She seemed fun. I don’t remember her being fun.
“She’s a nice, kind person. I enjoy her company,” he said. I noticed that his cheeks had coloured a little.
Maybe you should spend some time with her. I’m sure you’d enjoy a night out, I scribbled.
He coloured some more and then laughed. He didn’t answer my note but busied himself making tea instead. Had I hit on something there?
Dad had been single for years, and in all that time, I don’t ever remember him dating another woman. It was a shame in one way. He’d dedicated himself to being a single father but was that at the expense of his own happiness?
Seriously, invite her down for dinner one evening, I wrote. I slid the pad in front of him.
“Well, she has been, a couple of times in the past. I’ve been up to her house, as well. I haven’t seen so much of her lately.”
Because of me?
“Because of lots of things, Dani. Now, drink your tea, there’s a croissant, if you want one.”
I grabbed the croissant from the side and sat at the table.
You put your life on hold when Mum died to look after us, you’ve done the same now and it’s not fair. I’m fine, you need to get back to your old life, I wrote.
He didn’t answer but patted my hand when he leant down to pick up my empty plate. Maybe I’d have to force the issue a little. The fact his cheeks had coloured suggested that he enjoyed her company.
Chapter Nine
The sound of a truck on the gravel drive roused me from a daydream as I sat in the garden, wrapped against the elements. I was thinking of Lincoln and the fact he’d be spending Christmas alone. I rose from the garden chair and walked around the side of the house. Miller was climbing from the driver’s seat, his sweater was covered in bark and wood chips from his earlier chore.
“Hey, I have some plans for you to look over,” he said, reaching back into the truck.
He pulled out a tube and then followed me to the back door.
“Shall I put them here?” he said, pointing to the kitchen table. I nodded my head.
He retrieved the plans from the tube and unrolled them onto the table. He used a mug to hold one side down, smoothing the paper out with his hand. I grabbed a small empty plant pot to secure the other end.
“Okay, let me walk you through. We come in through the front door and I’ve created a hallway with the staircase. I know you wanted all open-plan; but think about opening that door on a day like yesterday. You’ll want somewhere to leave your coat, boots, that kind of stuff. I’ve placed two en suite bedrooms on either end, and a cloakroom in the middle, for guests. You might not want them traipsing through bedrooms to use the toilet.”
I nodded and he continued, “Now, the exciting part.” He slid a second plan from underneath and placed it on the top.
“Here are the stairs and the whole top floor is open-plan. We’ve got a kitchen at one end, dining table in the middle to create some separation, living space at this end. You’ve got your glass wall so you can sit and look out. Imagine walking up those stairs and seeing that space.”
Miller seemed excited at what he was showing me. It certainly looked impressive.
“All the beams in the roof will be exposed to keep the character of the building. I’ve got the most amazing log burner in my workshop that fits perfectly here,” he pointed to the sidewall. “I’d also like to keep some of the beams exposed down the walls.”
I love it. It’s perfect, I wrote on a pad. Miller’s smile was wide. What do we do now?
“If you’re happy with what I’ve done, we start the planning process. I propose that we put in a pre planning application, that gives the council a chance to state what they don’t like before we submit for real. It’s more cost, but in my experience, it’s worth it.”
Okay, whatever you think is right, I scribbled.
“Now, outside space.” He pulled a third plan from the pile.
“We have to provide two car parking spaces, I suggest we place those here. At the rear, I assumed you’d want a seating area, so I’ve sketched this landscaping.”
The plan showed a large patio, which wrapped around the side where the front door was, to the rear master bedroom.
“I think sliding doors from your bedroom to this outside space might work well. You have to take into account your living space is upstairs. If you had a party, for example, you’ll be bringing things down from the kitchen. Price you have to pay for an upside down house, though.”
I doubt I’ll be having too many parties! What about a boundary fence or something? Do I need that?
“Maybe not immediately, but you know, at some point, your dad might sell up, so I’ve outlined the boundary for the council.”
Miller told me about the planning process and the length of time we’d have to wait for decisions, while he did, I made tea. The planning process went over my head; my understanding was clouded by the building excitement, fighting with the layer of guilt it had to push through. I shouldn’t be excited, but I was.
Is there anything we can start to do?
“Not really, other than maybe clear out the barn. I also have some quotes for you. You need to sit down and go through those. If you agree on the estimate, I’ll need a signature. You’ve gotta sign your life over,” he said with a laugh.
He stood, leaving all the paperwork on the kitchen table and drained the cup of tea he held.
“If you agree with everything, then I can get the planning underway. There’s always time to change minor details. You can send me a text if you like. My number is on the top of the quotes.”
I nodded at him, pulling out a piece of his headed paper. It listed his company name, address, and mobile number. I hadn’t thought about where Miller lived and was surprised to see he was the other side of the village.
Miller left and Dad and I looked over the plans. I found it hard to picture the finished article, especially the size of each room. While doing that, I thought back on my house in London.
Have you heard from Christian? I wonder what’s happening with my house, I wrote on my pad.
“I haven’t, I can give him a call later if you like.”