Chapter Nineteen
Neville. Before the kidnapping.
I’m taken by surprise when Mrs Neal shows up unannounced.
Renovating a house is always satisfying, but doing it for someone who genuinely appreciates the craft makes it even more of a pleasure.
Over time, I’ve grown attached to this place.
The house feels alive, as if it breathes.
It’s almost finished now, and I know I’ll miss it when the job’s done.
She must have come in quietly, because I’m caught absentmindedly stroking the tiles like an idiot in the downstairs bathroom.
‘Hi,’ she says with a warm smile.
‘Oh, he… hello,’ I stammer. ‘I was just…’ I glance at my hand, still resting on the wall.
‘Stroking the tiles,’ she says, laughing.
I open my mouth to explain, then laugh with her instead. What can I say? They’re damn fine tiles.
‘The house is looking great,’ she says, taking it all in.
‘Soon it’ll just need your furniture,’ I reply.
‘I love it so much already.’
‘Would you like me to show you around?’ I ask, genuinely excited to walk her through the progress. Then I realise how daft that sounds. This is her home. ‘Sorry,’ I add quickly. ‘Of course, you’ve been here before.’
She smiles, and her whole face lights up. ‘No, I’d love you to show me what you’ve done.’
So we walk through the house, weaving around building supplies and dodging painters. I introduce her to a few of the lads as we go. The oak flooring is being laid, and I watch her face nervously, knowing she originally wanted carpets.
‘What do you think?’ I ask.
She studies it for a moment, then nods. ‘You were right. It suits the house perfectly.’
I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. She’s gracious with the workers, thanking them individually for their efforts. I catch the stunned looks on their faces and have to stop myself from laughing.
‘It’s exactly how I imagined it,’ she says, beaming.
When we reach the kitchen, which has just been completed, she lets out a squeal of delight.
‘Oh, well done! You followed my plan exactly,’ she says, running her hand over the sparkling black worktops.
I feel stupidly proud.
‘Do you have enough money for everything?’ she asks, a crease of concern forming between her brows. ‘I can speak to Danny if—’
‘No, really, it’s all good,’ I say quickly, cutting her off.
‘Well, don’t hesitate if you need to.’
I nod in thanks.
‘I’ve got the furniture coming in a few days. Is that okay?’
‘Yeah, of course. We’ll be out of your hair soon.’
Her cheeks flush a gentle pink, and it warms something in me to know how much she loves the work we’ve done.
We’ve had our share of hiccups, as I’ve explained to her husband, but I don’t want to dampen her excitement now.
Besides, the spring we discovered beneath the foundations has been sorted out, and the solid oak floor should now hold steady.
Daniel sent over a bank transfer to cover the extra materials, no questions asked.
This might be the best project I’ve ever worked on. This house will be truly loved.
‘Fabulous,’ she says, her eyes bright. ‘Great work, and thank you so much. I’m showing my interior designer tonight, so we can start planning.’
‘I’d love to see it when it’s finished,’ I say, the words slipping out before I think.
‘Oh yes, you must. You’ll have to come for dinner.’
I blink, caught off guard. She gives a little wave and leaves as quietly as she arrived.
I stand there for a moment, heart thudding a bit harder than it should. As I head back toward the kitchen, I can’t help thinking, Does Daniel Neal know how lucky he is?