A Change for the Better? (22 page)

The door clattered open and Charlie and John rolled in wearing three piece suits and carrying the largest cigars Ben had ever seen, they were more like small cucumbers in fact.

“We are now men of substance, business owners – we have left the working classes!” Charlie drawled in his interpretation of a high powered entrepreneur.

“Ha,
it’s
more likely you’ve just joined the hardest working class” Ben responded with a smile, “Let’s face it, if we buy the Southampton site we’ll all be on twelve hour days!”

Charlie groaned, “Ben, let me have my moment, mate – my dad said I’d never amount to much, let me enjoy being a tycoon for at least 10 minutes.”

“Sorry mate, but first rule of tycoondom is realism, and your dad never said such a thing!” Ben answered, “But seriously this is a big day and I can’t think of two people I’d rather share it with more.” He raised his big mug of coffee “to BW Building and its first million!”

They all responded, even Jean allowed herself a small indulgent smile, as proud as any mother would have been.

As Ben got home in the evening he was still as excited as he had been that morning. The day had passed in a whirlwind, they had signed the partnership agreement at the solicitors and then all three of them had signed the documents for their first project, the Southampton site. It had been a scary and simultaneously exhilarating moment, now they had about eight weeks for it all to complete before they could get on site properly but that wouldn’t stop them getting things underway. Stewart had already been down to the site and started on his designs.

“You’re looking pleased with yourself. What’s happened?” Lucy had appeared out of her room, blowing on her fingernails which had been painted half pink and half green.

“I am pleased with myself” Ben shouted, lifting Lucy up and swinging her round, “I’ve had a great day –come on put you’re glad rags on and let’s go celebrate”

“You’re a nutter” Lucy squealed, but she didn’t need asking twice. It wasn’t often Ben was offering to take her out! In less than twenty minutes she was dressed and ready to go. This had to be something of a world record for Lucy but she hadn’t wanted to risk Ben changing his mind and going without her.

“Ready, titch” Ben asked, “
come
on then, I thought we’d go via Laxley Health and see if Poppy and Katie want to join us – what d’ya think?”

Lucy nodded, but added “I thought you and Katie weren’t speaking after
I
, after, er, after, you know” she stuttered.

“No we’ve sorted that out now and we’re all friends again” Ben reassured her, however he did feel a bit disappointed they weren’t going to be more than that, but after last night’s deeply embarrassing overstepping of the mark he had decided it was best to face Katie sooner rather than later and show what a great mate he was going to be – and nothing more. And anyway he couldn’t think of anyone he’d rather celebrate with than his infuriating sister and the equally infuriating Katie Crabsticks!

Katie had just put the phone down from talking to Mo when Ben and Lucy arrived with their invitation and she was in need of something to
take
her mind off the call. Mo had just told her she would be leaving hospital the following Wednesday and she was going straight to Cheadle House to start her convalescence, and although Katie had known for some time she was going to do this – the reality was still disturbing. She wanted nothing but the best for Mo and she knew that Cheadle House was exactly that but the little girl inside her just wanted Mo to come home and didn’t want to be reminded that Mo was getting older. So an invitation to the pub for a meal and celebratory drink was just what she needed, so much so that Katie completely forgot to feel awkward about the last time she had seen Ben and when she did remember as they passed Cliona’s house on the way to the Rose & Crown, Ben was being like his old self, excited and talking ten to the dozen about his new project, there didn’t seem any reason to be awkward.

“You’re quiet Katie” Ben’s voice cut into her thoughts, “Is everything ok? It wasn’t bad news on the phone was it?”

“Oh no, not really, good, really I suppose – Mo’s coming out of hospital this week and going into Cheadle House” unconsciously Katie sighed as she said it.

“And you’re wishing she was coming to Tolpuddle instead” Ben answered perceptively

“Yes, I know she needs to convalesce and Cheadle House will look after her really well but Tolpuddle isn’t the same without her clattering about and ticking me off” Katie smiled.

“I’ll second that” said Poppy, “not that you’re not a good replacement, Katie, and to be honest your oat cookies are slightly better than Mo’s – but don’t ever tell her I said that - and if you do, I’ll totally deny it.” She added for good measure.

“She wouldn’t believe me anyway” Katie laughed, “I don’t know why I’m bothered she’s going to lead them a merry dance over there, her and
Bert. In
fact she’s asked me to take the karaoke machine amongst all the paraphernalia she wants – don’t ask” she added as Ben raised an eyebrow, as if he had misheard her as they entered the warm and bustling atmosphere of the Rose & Crown.

“Oh bugger” Katie yelped as she took her place on one of the seats in the pub.

“What is it?” Lucy jumped up, “Is it something on the seat?” She looked accusingly at the burgundy velour below her.

“No, no” Katie reassured her, “I’ve just realised I’ll have to hire a van – I can’t fit all the things Mo wants in my car. I can’t even fit a quarter of it in; I’ll have to do about five trips otherwise.”

“Why don’t I help?” Ben offered, “I could bring the van from work, we’ll fit it all in there.”

“Oh I couldn’t ask you to do that – anyway won’t your bosses mind you using the van for personal use?”

“Uh, hardly” Lucy snorted, “He is the boss isn’t he?”

“Oh” Katie said, feeling slightly silly, it had never crossed her mind that Ben owned the company. BW Building, Ben Wilson, of course, that would explain why he was so excited about this job, she thought he was an enthusiastic employee!

“Well, technically I’m not the only boss now Charlie and John are on board too, but I don’t think they’ll mind me borrowing the van ” Ben grinned, “I can come round about
four o’clock
if that’s okay?” he asked.

“Actually that would be brilliant” Katie breathed a sigh of relief, it was one less thing to think about – she already had her hands full as she was due to start all the baking for the spring fayre this week. She had spent the last few days up to her neck in recipes and moving Mo to Cheadle House was going to leave her little time to finish it all.

“Could I come too?” Lucy chipped in, “I haven’t seen Mo since I was really young.”

“Absolutely titch,” Ben answered, “Anyway I’d rather know where you are anyway” he added for good measure. Lucy decided to let that one
pass, after all he had said yes and he was just about to buy her steak and chips, followed by a treacle sponge and custard, best to quit while she was ahead!

The next morning as Katie pulled her wellies on to attack the next bit of the garden, she reflected that maybe she shouldn’t have had the treacle sponge. She was feeling pretty flabby as she bent over and saw a small muffin top appear over her jeans. She had always kept herself at a very precise size 10 in London, visiting the
gym every day
and eating hardly any carbs – but since she had been back in Laxley she had been baking constantly and therefore eating constantly too. Well, at least the gardening would give her some much needed exercise she reflected grimly.

Katie, with a lot of help from Ken Clackett, had effected quite a transformation in the garden over the last few weeks, uncovering a large patio area in front of the enormous bay window. They had dug out all the flower beds and added ornamental terracotta edges around them to keep the precise definition of the layout. Katie had restored the bird bath to pride of place on a stone column in the centre of one of the beds. They had also removed a large amount of ivy climber from the walls and fences, which had left the fence panels looking rather tatty, so today’s job was to apply a fresh coat of stain to the panels to give them a lift, then she was going to scrub all the pots and planters they had uncovered so that they’d be ready once Ken told she could fill
them with a dazzling array of plants now residing in Ken’s greenhouse. Just as she was finishing the first panel, Ken himself appeared with a spade in hand.

“Morning lass” he greeted her, “I saw you out her so I thought I’d come and make a start at digging out the vegetable patch – if we get things ready I’ve started chitting some potatoes we can plant when the weather warms up a bit” he added, looking to the skies. Katie smiled

“Excellent, if you’re sure? I don’t mind doing the digging if you want?” Katie didn’t want to mention Ken’s
age but
she knew he was the wrong side of 75 now.

“Nay, I’m alright for a bit of digging” he reassured her, “I’ve dug patches four times this size you know” he added for good measure.

“Okay Ken, but let me know if you need a hand.”

They worked on in companiable silence for the next hour, Katie carefully covering every inch of the fence panels with stain and Ken turning over soil and pulling out stones and weeds as he went. Katie was just thinking it must be time for a cup of tea and a biscuit when she heard a thud behind her, turning quickly she saw Ken, sat on the deep brown soil he had been so carefully turning, rubbing his forehead a little dazedly.

“Ken, Ken,
are
you alright?”
Katie rushed over, full of concern.

“I’m alright, just
went
a little bit dizzy for a minute but I’m fine now” he insisted, but a little shakily none the less.

“Oh Ken, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let you do all that digging” Katie was distraught that she had allowed this to happen, “Come on, let’s get inside and get you sat down.” Katie scooped him up and led him into her flat and sat him down at the big pine table. Ken was certainly looking pretty peaky and the fact that he hadn’t put up any resistance to being helped inside by a ‘mere slip of a lass’ confirmed to Katie that he must be feeling quite poorly.

Moving round the kitchen Katie put the kettle on to boil and made Ken a mug of strong, sweet Yorkshire tea. She didn’t say anything else until he had taken a few sips and nibbled a digestive from the packet she had placed next to him and gradually his colour was starting to return to his craggy cheeks.

“Ken, has this happened before?” she asked gently, something told her it wasn’t the first time but she wanted Ken to confirm it.

“Well maybe, once or twice, but I’m right as rain in a couple of minutes – look!” Ken held up his hand which certainly had
fewer
tremors than when he had first picked it up, “Steady as a rock” he added for good measure. Katie wasn’t to be reassured so easily.

“Well, you must get yourself to the doctor and tell him all about them, get
yourself
properly checked over.” Katie responded.

“Huh! I don’t hold with that doctor at the surgery now, he’s nowt but a lad and telling me how to live my life. He can come back when he’s dry behind the ears – and that’s a good few years off yet!” Ken growled.

“Ken
,
you have to go” Katie scolded him in her best teacher’s voice, “and I’ll be telling Mary exactly the same!”

“Now now,” Ken jumped out of his chair, “there’s no need to be telling Mary about this – she’ll just go on fretting and worrying and nagging me more than she does now.” Ken looked at Katie pleadingly, “You won’t, will you?” Katie could see the fear in his eyes and she felt it had a lot less to do with Mary finding out and a lot more to do with his own worries about his health.

“On one condition” Katie said, in tone that she hoped brooked no argument, “I ring the doctor now and we make an appointment and I’ll come with you.” Ken looked like a man cornered so Katie ruthlessly went in for the kill, “it’s up to you – the doctors with me or I tell Mary, in which case you’ll have to go to the doctors anyway plus all the nagging!”

Ken looked defeated and nodded “You’re Mo’s
granddaughter
alright” he muttered, “talk about Hobson’s Choice,” Katie smiled “She taught me well, that’s for sure – but look it’s better we get things checked out now and if nothing’s wrong then Mary need never know.”

Katie got up from the table and left Ken to finish another digestive or two whilst she rang the doctor’s surgery and fixed up an appointment for Thursday morning. Katie was taking Mo’s things over to Cheadle House on Wednesday but she would be free to frogmarch Ken to see the doctor on Thursday however long it took. And looking at the expression on Ken’s face as he left with two large slices of banana loaf for his lunch, it looked like frogmarching might well be necessary!

Wednesday came as one of those mild early March days, with a gentle watery sun giving a little warmth to the atmosphere, encouraging the tulips and daffodils to open their flowers. Katie took her morning mug of coffee outside and sat at the small garden table she had placed in the newly uncovered patio in front of Tolpuddle House. Although the house was by the main road in Laxley it was hardly a busy one. Laxley Heath rush hour was three cars and a tractor! As Katie sipped her coffee and soaked up the spring sunshine she noticed a procession of people wandering past the house towards the village green, they were all fairly cheery and one or two offered a hearty “Good Morning” if they saw her sitting there. Katie was just wondering what brought all these people to Laxley Heath when she noticed Cliona fighting her way through them the other way.