Return to Jacaranda Avenue by Kerrie Paterson

Author:Kerrie Paterson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Chapter 12

The following afternoon, Polly finally started the house repairs she’d put off after she’d previously fled the hardware store empty handed. Thinking about how she’d practically attacked Matt in the aisle made her squirm with embarrassment. But now she knew exactly what she’d been missing by not kissing him then and there.

Entering her father’s shed had always felt like invading his inner sanctum. He’d always loved to tinker even when she was a kid, and her childhood memories were filled with the scent of sawdust. The Men’s Shed group he was now part of was a wonderful organisation, providing him with companionship of other retired men, along with the chance to build and tinker to his heart’s content.

Flipping on the light switch, she squinted from the glare as the fluorescent lights flickered to life. His tools were still neatly laid out like she remembered. Many of them hung on pegboards on the walls of the shed, neatly outlined in white paint so he could see at a glance what was missing.

A place for everything and everything in its place. His oft-repeated mantra—especially when nagging her to keep her bedroom clean.

It had rubbed off on her in her work. Her workspace was always meticulously organised. Her personal spaces weren’t quite as orderly, but she was okay with that. She could always find what she was looking for, so couldn’t see the need to change.

Pleased to see the drill sat on its charger, light indicating it was ready to use, Polly grabbed it and her dad’s set of screwdrivers, stuck the spirit level under her arm and his carpenter’s pencil in the back pocket of her jeans. Hands full of everything she thought she’d need, she turned the light switch off with her elbow and exited the shed.

Inside the kitchen, she laid the tools on the table and pulled a chair over to the kitchen cabinets. She’d braved the store a second time and bought the hinges and other bits and pieces on her list, hoping she didn’t run into the young guy who’d interrupted them.

Deciding to start with the bottom cabinet doors, she braced the opened door with her knee, and began to unscrew the old, wonky hinges. They could do with all new doors, but at least this would stop them falling onto the floor.

‘Need a hand, love?’

Polly jumped, the screwdriver hurtling onto the floor with a clatter. ‘Dad. I didn’t hear you come in. Sure, you can hold the door for me.’

She probably didn’t need his help, but she’d enjoy the company and there was no way he’d sit around chatting without doing something useful.

‘I’ve been meaning to do this for years.’ Her dad’s sinewy hands, covered in age spots, shook a little as he perched on a chair and held the cabinet door. ‘Don’t know why I haven’t. I guess I’ve stopped seeing things as well as I used to.’

‘Well, I can help now. You only have to let me know what you want me to do.’

They worked in silence for a while, content in each other’s company without words.

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