‘All right.’ Matt whistled as he went out to his car. He’d hated being confined, but he’d be careful today because he didn’t want to put back his recovery. Stan had driven Matt’s lovely Singer back here after taking him to the hospital; he couldn’t wait to drive it again. He’d restored this vehicle himself, and it was his pride and joy. He breathed in the cold air, glad to be alive. That attack had been a nasty business. Dr Sterling had told him that if one of the stab wounds had been two inches further to the left, he would have died instantly. It was certainly going to make him look at life differently, and he was determined to make the most of every minute.

When he arrived, there wasn’t room for another car in the front, so Matt went round the back and into the workshop that way. He stopped in amazement: it was just as crowded inside.

‘Matt!’ Jake came towards him with a huge smile on his face. ‘How marvellous to see you up and about. When will you be able to start work again?’

‘In a week, maybe sooner.’ He gazed around – there were cars taking up every bit of space in the workshop. Some were expensive models, but there were also a couple of Austin Sevens in a bad state of repair. ‘What’s going on?’

Harry, Steve and Alan came over, and brought another young man with them. His name was Andy, and he had just been taken on.

Harry laughed at Matt’s puzzled expression. ‘Unbelievable, isn’t it? What’s happening is that people are buying cars from us and we’re taking their old ones in part payment.’

‘It’s working well, Matt.’ Jake’s face fairly glowed as he spoke. ‘We then do up the old cars and sell them. There’s been so much work that we’ve had to take on Andy here, and we’ll be pleased to have you back. When you’re fit, of course.’

‘Nearly there, Jake.’ Matt rotated his right shoulder. ‘It’s just a bit sore, but that will soon go.’

‘Well, when you start work again you can hold the spanners and make the tea if you get tired.’

Matt tipped his head back and laughed. ‘Not a chance, Jake, I can’t wait to get my hands greasy again.’

‘Don’t suppose you can.’ His boss chuckled, then glanced at the clock. ‘Come over to the Duke of Wellington with Harry and me. We’d like to buy you a beer and a bite to eat.’

‘Thanks.’ It had taken Matt a while to get going this morning and it was already lunchtime.

‘Steve, look after things for an hour. We’ll only be across the road if you need us.’