It Started With A Tweet(36)

I see a look of fear in her eyes as if she doesn’t want to scare him off.

‘Yes, I think there is much to explore here,’ he says.

‘Lots. There are lots of walks and climbs; the Lakes are, of course, outstanding and not very far. Scotland’s only half an hour away and Newcastle’s pretty close too,’ says Rosie, turning into the local tourist information office.

He nods. ‘Yes, lots to explore.’

He looks at me and I turn into a total teenager wishing he would explore me.

The crumpets pop up and Rosie puts them and the jam on the table, and I tuck in. Alexis looks dubiously at one before following suit and tucking into one, I can tell he’s pleasantly surprised.

‘So what are we going to do first?’ he asks.

‘I thought perhaps we’d start on the bathroom. It needs new laminate on the floor and the tiles all need to come off, and the wallpaper stripped. I’ve got a local plumber who can come and check things out and put in new units, and then I’m going to tile it.’

‘You’re going to tile it?’ I say, almost choking.

‘Uh-huh, I’m actually pretty good at it.’

I’m learning so much about my sister.

‘Right, well, why don’t I start a list?’ I say, picking up my new journal. It’ll be much better used for renovation planning than it would be for mindfulness. ‘OK, so bathroom first,’ I say. ‘And then what’s next?’

‘Then kitchen, I guess.’ And as she goes on to tell me exactly what needs to be done, I try and keep up, marking things with stars that need external contractors, and putting initials by the side when Alexis and Rosie volunteer to do things. After half an hour, the list has stretched over seven pages, and I get the impression that this is probably just the tip of the iceberg – after all, these are only the jobs that come instantly to mind, and once each room is started I’m sure there’ll be loads more.

‘This’s some project. We can’t get it all done in a month,’ I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

‘You’d be surprised,’ says Rosie. ‘But no, it’ll probably take longer than that, but at least this will be a good start. I’m just glad that the previous owner did all the damp-proofing before they sold it, as at least now we can crack on with the painting and things.’

‘I hadn’t really thought about who was here before,’ I say, realising that I hadn’t considered who’d used the archaic kitchen, but presumably they left this place a long time ago.

‘There was an old man living here until he went into a home about two years ago. His son considered doing the renovations, he’d pulled out everything in the lounge and had the damp-proofing done, but I think he balked at the project when he realised how much else needed doing: the re-wiring, the plumbing, the plastering .?.?. If you think it’s a wreck now, you should have seen it when I first bought it. Over the last few weeks I’ve had the builders in to do the first fix.’

‘A good start,’ says Alexis.

‘I think this calls for more than tea and crumpets, and now it’s after five o’clock, let’s open the wine.’

‘After five o’clock?’ says Alexis. ‘You do not drink until after five?’ He mutters something about the British under his breath as I open a bottle of red and pour it into three mismatched glasses.

I hand them out to everyone and raise it up.

‘To the project,’ I say, chinking glasses with Rosie and then Alexis.

As I look at the three of us I wonder what we’ve got ourselves into, but at least with the renovation, and now Alexis, I should have plenty to take my mind off the digital detox.

Siri who .?.?.?





Chapter Twelve

Time since last Internet usage: 1 day, 19 hours, 35 minutes and 2 seconds

Who knew that the secret to a good night’s sleep was sleeping on a half-deflated airbed next to my sister in a crumbling farmhouse where the wind constantly rattles the windows. I don’t know whether it’s still the exhaustion or if it’s the good old Cumbrian air, but for whatever reason, I’ve had a great night’s sleep and I’m the last one up.

I can hear noisy chatter in the kitchen as I shove a large hoodie over my flimsy pyjama top. I hesitate for a second, wondering if I should shower first and get dressed, seeing as Alexis is here, but then I stop myself. We’re all going to be living together, I’m sure at some point he’s going to see me for the dishevelled mess I am in the mornings.

‘Ah, you’re up,’ says Rosie, flicking on the kettle as I walk down the stairs. ‘There’s some porridge on the hob if you want some.’

‘Yes, please,’ I say, going over and helping myself.

‘Not to put you to shame, Daisy, but Alexis has been out for a hike already this morning.’

I look over at the Frenchman and take a deep breath. He’s got a little stubble on his face making him looking even more roguish.

‘It was very nice. The sun over the ’ills was beautiful.’

And that accent. Resist, Daisy, resist.

‘I’ll have to get up early one day,’ I say, trying to ignore Rosie’s sniggers. I may not be a natural early riser, but I reckon I could make an exception one morning if Alexis was leading the way.