Chapter 34
Marcus swings his legs out of the car, depositing his phone in his trouser pocket before undoing his shirt a couple of buttons and donning his hi-vis jacket.
He shouldn’t be expected to wear business dress in this heat, not when everyone else is in shorts and T-shirts, but he likes to look professional at all times.
Besides, he knows how good he looks in a suit.
‘Ah, there you are,’ comes the rasping voice of Tobias Woolf carrying across the air. Marcus breathes through his nose and squares his shoulders. Just a few more days and this man will be out of his hair, he reminds himself.
‘Been catching up on some emails and calls,’ he says by way of explanation.
Not that he feels he should explain himself.
Tobias treats him like he does everyone else in his life; as a subordinate, his whipping boy, even, on occasion, a gofer.
It rankles, especially as Marcus has reiterated many times that he is a freelance consultant and therefore an equal.
He watches Tobias as he comes stumbling across the rubble and stone towards him, his face the pallor of a sweating ham, clothes straining over his distended belly.
‘How’s it going?’ he asks.
‘High time we had this scaffolding down, don’t you agree?’ says Tobias, tilting his head in the direction of the house. ‘I thought the guys were coming to dismantle it.’
‘Won’t happen until next week at the earliest,’ answers Marcus smoothly. ‘It’ll give us the chance to finish off any outstanding jobs anyway.’
‘Well, it’s costing me a ruddy fortune. By the way, you haven’t seen my daughter hanging about the site, have you?’
Marcus stiffens.
‘No, not since you all first came down last week. Why?’
‘Oh, nothing. Just make sure no unauthorised personnel have access to the place, would you?’
‘Of course,’ he says, nodding. ‘I can swing by this evening and make sure everything is locked down for the night.’
Tobias puffs out his cheeks, huffs theatrically.
‘Hotter than Hades today. I’ve told Bill they can all finish early.’
‘Good of you,’ says Marcus, genuinely surprised at this rare altruism.
‘Well, you know. I thought the men would appreciate it. Boost morale and all that.’
Marcus tries to hide the smirk that is creeping across his face.
It always amuses him, how Tobias behaves as though he is some general, corralling his troops.
But then it makes sense. Olivia had once mentioned how her husband came from a long line of army top brass, himself one of the first to break with tradition.
He gives a shudder then, thinking about it, the genealogy.
‘Oh I say,’ says Tobias, interrupting his thoughts and bringing him back to the moment.
‘You don’t know anything about this plan of Liv’s, do you?
She’s only gone and signed a lease for a commercial property down here, in the town.
Plans on opening a gallery. Organised the whole thing without even telling me. ’
Marcus raises his eyebrows in mock innocence.
‘No. Not at all.’
Tobias gives a tut of disgust.
‘But it sounds like an excellent idea. Quite inspiring at her age. I only wish I could persuade my own mum to do the same. Have a second chance at life.’
Tobias looks taken aback.
‘Yes, but women and business. Not always a good mix. You must have seen that in your time.’
Marcus swallows.
‘I don’t know about that. Your daughter, Bella, could prove you wrong.’
‘You might be right there,’ says Tobias with a sniff. ‘More gumption than that son of mine at any rate. Always got his nose in a book, when he’s not on the water. Hope he’s not going to turn out to be something of a weak link,’ he adds with a laugh.
Marcus looks away, hiding his expression.
‘There again,’ he answers, ‘Drew might surprise you one day as well.’
‘Really? Well, I hope so. No room for losers in this family,’ says Tobias with another laugh, nudging Marcus’s arm as though he is in on some kind of private joke they have just shared.
‘Right, well, I’d better get on,’ he replies, walking towards the house. He is finding it difficult to be in this man’s company any longer.
‘You’ll join us for dinner tonight, I hope?’ calls Tobias. ‘At the hotel. Don’t want to miss the fireworks!’
Marcus casts one last look over his shoulder.
‘Oh yes. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’