Part 4 (2/2)

Across the corridor was a little morning room. This was much nicer, looking out over the very neglected garden, but much smaller and cosier. 'Do you eat in here?

'No, I usually eat in the kitchen. For a time I slept there too. I like to get value from a room.

In the old days, the next room would have been a parlour, but someone had knocked down a wall or two and it was now a very large room with two sets of old-fas.h.i.+oned French windows opening into the garden. A big wooden staircase at one end led up into the gloom. The wide fireplace was cold and empty. The furniture was drab and sad.. But it could be lovely. The floor had real wooden floorboards, and there was plenty of room on the walls for books and artwork. I could see this being a very nice room.

It never struck me that Russell Checkland was being uncharacteristically quiet, watching me take it all in.

There was another set of double doors near the stairs. I pointed.

'They lead to a small vestibule and the un-openable front door. Very useful for discouraging unwanted visitors. And up the stairs again we go.

The stairs were beautifully made and steady as a rock but they needed carpet. They were noisy and slippery.

'I know, he said, although I hadnt said anything. 'One day. In the meantime, just take care. I bet Julia doesnt know youre here, so if you fall I shall just dump your lifeless body at the side of the road and pretend I never knew you.

It seemed funny at the time.

At the top of the stairs there was a dog-leg. Down the shorter leg were two large bedrooms.

'Thats mine, he said, pointing down the corridor to the door at the end. There were three narrow steps leading up to it. I remembered last night and wondered if that was why he sometimes slept in the kitchen. Too drunk to cope with those little steps. He didnt offer to show the room to me. I suspected the bed was unmade and hed hung his socks and dirty underwear on the floor. Or maybe, of course, he had Francesca in there, stretched on out the bed, naked and demanding.

'Pull yourself together, said Thomas, and I did try.

I did get to see the other room and it was lovely. Care had been taken here. There were two tall windows with a large bed in between. Two built-in wardrobes flanked the fireplace which had one of those gas fires that looks like the real thing. A tall chest of drawers stood against one wall and a small dressing table against another. It smelled freshly cleaned. With paint and fabric it could be a very pretty room.

Had he prepared it for Francesca?

'And this is the best bit. Come and look.

He plunged forward like an estate agent on a combination of speed and commission. We went through a small door in the corner and down a little twisting stair of six steps. They opened out into a small but modern bathroom. Shower cubicle, bath, washbasin, toilet, it was all there.

'Isnt this great? We think it was a maids room, once upon a time. Or maybe a nursery. What do you think?

I looked around and smiled.

'Theres more.

Back up the stairs, through the bedroom, down the corridor, turn left at the top of the stairs. 'Three smaller bedrooms and a family bathroom.

I pointed to the door at the end.

'Oh, my studio. People dont really go in there. Are you hungry?

I nodded and we clattered back down the stairs. He kept a tight grip on my wrist until we got to the bottom.

Back in the kitchen, the table was laid. Mrs Crisp was on her way out with a cup of tea. 'Ill leave you in peace, she said, closing the door behind her.

I looked at Russell. 'She usually spends the afternoons in her room. You know lovers.

I nodded wisely.

He said no more, which was unusual for him.

Lunch was delicious with a slice of home-made cheesecake to follow. I sat back, feeling at peace and not a little sleepy.

'Thatll teach you to wake at the crack of dawn because youve got a date, said Thomas, unsympathetically.

'This is not a date.

'Oh, isnt it? Well, if youll excuse me, Im going to look out of the window now.

And he did. Apart from the rain there was nothing to see, so G.o.d knows what he was playing at.

Russell loaded the dishwasher while I made coffee.

'We can sit in the other room if you like, but I think its warmer and more comfortable here.

I nodded.

'So, what do you think?

'Not changed much. Bit more ... dilapidated. Lots of work.

'Mmm, he said. 'Mrs C said I wasnt to ask you this. In fact, shes been banging on about it since I first mentioned it to her, but I wondered would you like to lend a hand?

'Me?

'Yes, its not difficult. I thought if I do the sanding and preparation, you can come along afterwards with paint and roller and presto theres another room completed. Can you imagine how much better that bedroom would look with a bit of paint on the walls? Well put the radio on and have a good old sing-song at the same time. What do you think?

'Ive never actually ... painted anything before.

'Well, its not difficult. It cant be. Men do it. Say yes.

I remembered how I had felt only that morning, waking up with something to look forward to. It neednt be just for today. I could have that antic.i.p.ation again.

I nodded vigorously, smiling.

'You will? Thats great. Well get it done in half the time now. You dont have to worry. Youll just be doing the gentle stuff. Ill do all the hard work.

'Believe that and youll believe anything.

'OK. Ill pick you up at the usual place tomorrow.

We had a usual place!

'Shall we say ten oclock? Well give you lunch and Ill take you back around half three, four-ish. Leave your painty clothes here.

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