‘That’s me done for today’ Nathan says to Helen, scraping the left over paint back into the tin from his roller tray. ‘I’ll clean these up and then get off, if that’s okay with you’

‘Of course, it’s okay with me. Thanks for your help. We really appreciate it’

‘No problem’ Nathan says awkwardly.

‘What is it, a hot date?’ Helen asks brightly.

‘No’ He flicks a look at Stephanie, busily removing spots of paint from the window. ‘Not tonight. Bit of a soak and then I said I’d go and have a look at Jessie’s telly for her. Probably the aerial needs adjusting. It’s been a bit windy. Tends to knock them a bit skew whiff. I get my dinner out of it, anyway’

‘After the amount of lunch you put away?’

‘Yeah…well, that’s me isn’t it? Pig all round’

Helen touches an understanding hand to his arm. ‘No, you’re not’ she says softly. ‘You’re one of the nicest people I know’

‘Yeah…well’ he shrugs, his eyes wandering to Stephanie again. ‘To some people, maybe’ He makes to walk by.

‘Stephanie?’ Helen calls before he can stop her. ‘Did you want a lift home? Nathan’s going past your door I should think and he’ll be off in a minute or two’

‘Oh….erm…’ Stephanie turns to look at Marie and back to where they are standing.

‘Hel-en’ Nathan growls under his breath, just as embarrassed by Stephanie’s hesitation as Helen asking. ‘It’s okay. Just Helen organising everybody’ He holds up a hand, acknowledging what he sees as a refusal. ‘No worries’

‘No…er…um…That would be good, if you didn’t mind. My car’s in dock. Marie offered me a lift back but she’s in Woodbury and I’m in Oatfield’

‘You are?’

‘Isn’t that why Helen suggested it?’ Stephanie looks confused.

‘Er…yeah’ Nathan makes a conscious effort not to look down to where Helen’s foot treads sharply on his. ‘Sorry….been a long day’ he excuses. ‘About ten..fifteen minutes?’

‘Lovely. Thank you’

Pennywell, Bower Lane

Chapter Eighteen

Tawny House, Manor Road

‘The house seems quite empty without them’ Harriet mopes, standing by the sitting room window and staring out.

‘Aye’ Jeannie pauses, duster in hand ‘But they’ll be back before ye hae time to blink. Ye'll see. The lassie fell in love wi’the village an the village took t’her, richt enough. Christopher is at hame here too’ she says, giving the television screen a brisk rub. ’T’would be a guid thing fae them tae come keep ye company here’

‘To live, you mean...permanently?’ At Jeannie’s nod, Harriet shakes her head ‘No…that would not do at all’

‘Sae ye telling me ye’d rather hae them sae far awa?’ She straightens and knuckles her hand on one hip. ‘It disna look like it tae me!’

‘I would no more want them to be responsible for me in my old age as I was my grandson. They all have their own lives to lead’

‘Aye…but ye’ve been mair than guid tae them and there isnae one of them would mind’

‘It’s not a case of them minding’ Harriet says, settling herself in her chair. ‘I mind! I am perfectly capable of looking after myself yet awhile and while I can, I will. I have my many friends too. I do not lack for company’

‘Och, nooo…Ye’ve friends richt enough. T’is aboot time ye hae another of yer wee do’s’ Jeannie breathes on the mirror above the fireplace and rubs at a fly spot, standing back and rubbing again at the resulting smear.

‘Ohhh…I’m not sure that I can be bothered with all that’ Harriet sighs ‘And with so much going on, I am certain it would not be the right time to be partying’

‘Then hae one of your wee friends for the weekend’ Jeannie suggests. ‘Ye hasnae seen some folk since the laddie got hisself wed’

‘That’s very true’ Harriet muses. ‘I shall give it some thought’