After a slow start, several people started drifting in; Emma recognised some local families, and a few people she knew. At 2.00 p.m. a couple of minibuses arrived from the old people’s home in the next village. Her chocolates were selling steadily and she was pleased that it had been worth the time and energy in setting it all up. One of the organisers called at her stall, saying they were still looking for ‘lots’ for the auction and explained a bit more about what they were hoping for. It seemed to be an offer of time and a helping hand for the elderly more than anything, so Max, bless him, said he’d be happy to offer a couple of hours, mentioning that his background was the building trade and that he could turn his hand to most DIY jobs. The organiser seemed most grateful and added his name to the list.

At 3.00 p.m, the auction was announced. There were tables and chairs set out through the centre of the room for people to sit and have their tea and biscuits or cake, and two old ladies that Adam’s gran knew had settled at the table closest to Emma and seemed to be eagerly awaiting the auction. Max smiled across and said hello to them.

He was also recruited by the lady serving the teas and coffees to walk around and offer top-ups from a huge metal teapot. Emma smiled, watching him; he quite looked the part, chatting easily to the elderly as he went. Even the ladies beside Emma’s stall nodded in approval. She heard one of them saying, ‘What a nice young man,’ as he left their table.

The other lady responded rather loudly, ‘Well, he is a fine figure of a man.’

‘Hmm, we haven’t seen anything like that in here for years, Dorothy.’

Emma watched in amusement as the two ladies scanned the room, taking in the decidedly aged, white-haired, and rather wrinkly assembly of other gentlemen in the hall.

‘Ever.’ There was a mischievous twinkle in Dorothy’s eyes now. ‘My, I could have two hours of his time any day of the week.’

‘What’s he up for auction for, anyhow?’

‘Two hours of his time, like I said.’

‘Yes, but what for?’

‘Anything you like, I suppose.’

Shirley, Adam’s gran, chipped in helpfully as she sat down beside them ready for the auction to start, ‘He was thinking DIY, building jobs.’

‘That’s not what I was thinking, Thelma.’ Dorothy winked at her friend.

Emma couldn’t help but listen in.

‘Hey, what do you think about bidding? We could club together, Dot. We might raise more that way.’

Dorothy gave a wicked grin. ‘There’s a lot I’d like to raise! Just imagine, Thelma, two whole hours with him indeed. We could have a leg each and share the middle.’ She cackled with laughter at that point.