Читать книгу Kathleen Tessaro 3-Book Collection: The Flirt, The Debutante, The Perfume Collector - Kathleen Tessaro, Kathleen Tessaro - Страница 38

‘Well?’ Leticia peered over Sam’s shoulder as he examined the pipes underneath the bathroom floorboards with a torch. ‘What is it?’

‘A leak.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well,’ he looked up at her, ‘funnily enough it’s the same leak I looked at before only now it’s worse.’ Sitting back on his heels, he wiped his hands with a rag. Two days’ stubble darkened his jaw; his hair, badly in need of a trim, curling almost to his shoulders. He’d been doubling up, working for private clients during the day while spending nights installing bathrooms and kitchens in a new luxury development in Willesden. All he wanted right now was a strong cup of tea. Not that he was likely to get one from her. ‘What did you think would happen? That it would just repair itself?’

‘There’s no need to be rude.’

‘I’m not being rude, just realistic.’ He rummaged around in his bag, straining to see. ‘Look, any chance of turning the lights on?’

‘Not today.’ She concentrated on the floor. ‘No electricity.’

‘If you need a good electrician …’

‘No, I don’t need a good electrician!’ This was all so humiliating. ‘It has to do … to do with the bill.’

‘Miscalculated?’

‘Unpaid,’ she mumbled.

‘Ah,’ he made a face. ‘I don’t mind telling you that’s not the sort of information a tradesman likes to hear.’ He got out his torch again. ‘The best thing for me to do right now is turn the water off at the mains. I don’t suppose you know where the stopcock is?’

She stared blankly at him.

‘Nah, didn’t think so.’

His back smarted as he got up. Too much time curled into cramped spaces. He headed for the workroom.

Leticia trailed after him.

‘So what are you going to do?’ She sounded like a child.

‘Fix it.’ He looked under the sink.

‘But … you see,’ how could she put this? ‘I’m having something of a cash-flow crisis. Just a temporary one, but all the same …’

‘Sell some more knickers.’

‘It isn’t that easy.’

He scanned the room. ‘Why not?’

‘Well, for starters,’ she informed him haughtily, ‘they’re tailor made. Depending on the design they take days to produce.’

‘That’s not very savvy, is it?’

Her eyes widened. Who was this person?

‘Savvy isn’t the point!’

He located the stopcock in the boiler cupboard. ‘In business, savvy is the whole point. You should get a commission. Flog your stuff to one of the big chain stores.’

‘I’m a designer not a businesswoman,’ she corrected him.

‘And it shows. Look, how you make your money or don’t make it is none of my concern. But you’ve got to do something about this leak whether you like it or not. Now I can do it, or someone else can do it; doesn’t bother me either way. But it needs to be done. And I like to be paid for my work. I’m funny like that. So,’ he twisted it to the off position, ‘what I propose is you make up your mind and let me know.’ He turned round, twirling his wrench from finger to finger. ‘But as of right now, you have no water.’

‘You’re blackmailing me!’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Blackmailing you? Lady, I’m saving you a fortune in more damage! But fine!’ He turned back to the valve. ‘If you want to come back tomorrow into a shop entirely flooded, be my guest.’

Leticia imagined all her beautiful French silks completely destroyed; her wonderful furniture drowning in filthy London water. ‘No! No! Listen, I’ll sort the finances. When can you start?’

He smiled, pushed a dark curl out of his eyes. ‘It just so happens I’ve begun. Now, any chance of a cup of tea?’