A Change for the Better? by Stephanie Drury Page A

I just spoke to her and its fine with her. Also Stewart Jackson rang and said can you ring as he might have something for you.”
     
    “Sure Jean, thanks, anything else?” Ben enquired.
     
    “No nothing that won’t keep until the morning - you are in tomorrow?”
     
    “Yeah, I’ll see you then.” Ben put the phone down. He quickly dialled Stewart’s number. Stewart was a great architect with good contacts he might have an interesting lead.
     
    “Hi Stew , it’s Ben Wilson”
     
    “ Ben, thanks for getting back to me. I think I might have a lead on some developments you could control yourself.”
     
    “Yeah, the other works dried up a bit at the moment, and I’m finding it a real drag having to compromise. We all thought the best way was to do it ourselves.”
     
    “Well, look I might have an interesting opportunity for you. I’m just heading out to meet a client now, how are you fixed to meet up around seven?” Stewart asked.
     
    “I’m fine, I’ve got an appointment at 4.30 in Laxley Heath, but I’m fine after that.”
     
    “Laxley Heath, excellent, how about the Rose & Crown in Laxley? You can get me that pint you owe me.”
     
    “Sure that’s fine - see you later.” Ben put the phone down feeling more optimistic by the minute. Stewart was a good honest guy, if he thought a deal was a good one then it really could be.
     
    The door banged shut with a thuddering crash. Lucy was home! Ben shuddered there was no way he was leaving her to run riot on a school night.
     
    “Get changed Luce; we’re heading out in half an hour.” He shouted into the hall way.
     
    “Going out - cool” Lucy stuck her head round the door, her blond ponytail bobbing in anticipation, “where are we going?”
     
    “I’ve got a meeting in Laxley Heath and you’re coming with me” Ben answered.
     
    “Laxley Heath and a poxy building meeting. That’s hardly going out.” Lucy sulked, “I’m not coming there!” She turned to leave in a huff.
     
    “Oh yes you are Lucy Chapman” Ben’s tones brooked no argument “one fire this week is enough for me. I’m not leaving you alone in the flat for at least another seven days!” He tugged her hair as he walked past, softening his tone with a half-smile . Lucy grimaced, she knew Ben’s tones and it wasn’t worth arguing with him in that mood. She’d save the fight for when she really wanted something.

CHAPTER 8
    Half an hour later Ben and Lucy were sat in his van heading through the early rush hour traffic towards Laxley Heath. Lucy still had a face like a wet weekend. She had planned an evening of manicures, pedicures and loud music; this unexpected turn of events was not good at all.
     
    “Cheer up Luce,” Ben teased as they pulled up at Tolpuddle House “it’s not the end of the world.”
     
    “No, but it’s definitely in sight” she groaned, peering out of the window at the wilderness garden in front of the house, “How long will you be?”
     
    “Not long - I’ve just got to see Billy and agree the work then we’ll go get something to eat.”
     
    “Ok brother I’ll wait here till you ...”
     
    “Oh no” Ben interrupted “out of the car - you’re no safer in there than in my kitchen.” Lucy stared at him aggrieved.
     
    “OUT” Ben bawled once more and Lucy got out, trying to convey a teenage nonchalance and give a very clear impression that she had decided to get out of her own accord and not because of Ben’s instruction. They walked up the garden path and Ben rang the doorbell, a newer version , he noted, added since the previous week. Shortly after Katie pulled the door open and invited them in.
     
    “Hey” Ben greeted her “is Billy here yet?”
     
    “Oh yes” Katie replied with emphasis.
     
    “And?” Ben asked
     
    “And he’s banging random pipes, shaking his head and talking in ’plumbspeak’ which means nothing to me - you go in there and translate.”
     
    Ben laughed, “Ok, in just a