There was a loud rap at the shop door. She was surprised to find it was Danny from the pub, with another chap. Perhaps they were coming for a nosy to see how things were going.

Emma unlocked the door and let them in.

‘Hi, Em. Meet your new chippie,’ Danny announced with a grin.

Chippie? Fish and chips? Their supper had been lovely from the pub last night, maybe they were bringing up some chips for their lunch too, Emma mused.

Max stood up rubbing the small of his back for a second, then came across. ‘Cheers, mate. That is music to my ears.’ And the three men shook hands.

Emma was still wondering quite what was going on, a crease of confusion across her brow.

‘Chippie – carpenter – wood chips,’ Max turned to her to explain.

‘Ah. Oh, wow. You’re here to help? Fabulous.’

‘This is Nick. An old mate.’ Danny introduced him. ‘Happened to be staying with me this weekend.’

‘Hi, Nick, and thank you so much.’ Emma shook his hand. He was tall and lean with smiley eyes and a whiskery-goatee beard; in fact, he looked very much as though he should have a roll-up slanted out of his mouth.

‘Used to have my own joinery business,’ Nick said, ‘but when the recession hit and the work dried up I just couldn’t make ends meet. Went to work for a bacon factory, then, believe it or not. Pay was better, and it was a regular income. Been there ever since. But I still miss working with wood. When Danny here mentioned you’d been let down at the last minute, well …’

‘I have to work this lunch shift at the pub anyhow, so he didn’t have a lot on. Saves him lounging around on my sofa all day,’ Danny added.

‘Yep, I have a few hours to spare, so no worries. Give me a job.’

‘Right, I’ll make a tea or coffee for us all, whatever you’d rather, and I’ll let Max tell you where we’re at with the woodwork, Nick.’

The two men had already started chatting and were looking seriously at sections of timber. Danny said he had better go to get ready for his shift.

‘Cheers, Danny. Thanks so much for thinking of me and my shop. You’re a star.’

‘No worries. Couldn’t see you struggling when I knew help was at hand. Oh, and Nick’s happy to work for a few pints, by the way. We’re out this evening, so that will be ideal.’ Danny gave a wink.

‘Perfect. You sure?’ She felt she ought to offer proper payment. She had the money from her parents to pay Ron for the work, after all.

‘Absolutely, I’m here of my own free will,’ Nick chipped in. ‘But a few pints put behind the bar at the Fisherman’s for tonight would be brilliant.’