“Got bugger all else to do, have I?”
“When would be good for you?”
“How about after we finish these drinks?”
Lenny laughed, a sound Adrian had already begun to enjoy, as well as the way his eyes crinkled in the corners.
“I think we might both want to pack a bag first. So how does tomorrow sound?”
“Perfect. I assume we’ll be driving there?”
“Yes, I’ll take my SUV. I promised to drop my mother off in Norwich town centre at nine, but we could leave straight after. It’s around five and a half hours cross country, depending on traffic. Let me confirm the booking.”
Adrian warmed to the idea of a road trip, to the thought of getting out of Drayton for a couple of days. And the fact that a mystery surrounded the building made this break from the mundane even more of an adventure.
“So that means if we set off at ten with an hour’s break for lunch, we should be there around five. Yeah, that would work. You know, if we took my truck, I could bring some ladders and equipment so we could do a proper check of the roof and guttering, assess the plumbing and check out any structural issues. But if we don’t arrive until after five, it’ll probably be too dark to do a full inspection until morning. Although I’ve got some floodlights we could use, ones I’ve employed on-site before. Does the place have utilities like electricity and running water—?”
While Adrian talked, Lenny had been tapping something into his phone, but had started chuckling even before he looked up.
“Slow down a bit, Adrian. Loving the enthusiasm, but we’re only going down to have a quick inspection of the interior and exterior. I wasn’t planning on us going up ladders or knocking down walls. But maybe a small toolkit would be a good idea. As far as utilities are concerned, I have no idea. Sounds like it’s been left empty for a number of years, so my guess is no. Also, you’re right. By the time we get there, it’ll already be getting dark, so I suggest we drive straight to the accommodation and head to the house first thing Friday. I checked and found a pub hotel in Newbridge that provides accommodation, so I’ve just booked us rooms. Hope that’s okay?”
“Brilliant.”
Right at that moment, Adrian’s phone buzzed repeatedly in his jeans pocket with an incoming call. When he squeezed the device out and saw the name on the display, he let out a soft, irritated sigh.
Nick.
If he didn’t take the call, he knew Nick would leave messages and pester him with more calls all night. With a quick apologetic glance at Lenny, to pressed accept.
“Hey, Nick.”
“Ade, how’s it going?”
At least Nick sounded sober this time.
“Fine. What do you want?”
“I’m here at the hospital with Janice. She’s most likely going to have a caesarean Friday morning, a planned one, something to do with the baby being turned the wrong way. It’s usually straightforward enough, they say, but they want to keep an eye on her because her blood pressure’s been a bit up and down.”
“Sorry to hear that. What can I do to help?”
“So, what with me working, her mum and dad are looking after Todd until Janice gets back from the hospital, so I wondered if tomorrow night you might be free to—”
“Let me stop you right there, Nick. I’m going to be out of town until—” Adrian stopped and checked with Lenny, who mouthed the word ‘Sunday’. For a change, he had a legitimate excuse to push Nick away. “Until Sunday. So I’m not going to be around. Sorry I can’t help, but I hope everything turns out okay. Give my love to Janice.”
“Yeah, thanks a fucking bunch, pal.”
“Bye, Nick.”
Adrian thumbed off the call and breathed out a sigh, slamming the phone down on the table.
“Problem?”
When Adrian met Lenny’s eyes, he grimaced and shook his head.
“Nothing important. Someone pestering me for a favour I’m not in a position to give.”
“Talking of which, how much do you charge?”
