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repeated the number she’d given him last Saturday at the drama group meeting.
    Jake sat down on the bed and played the message again. He loved her voice. It was light, musical, cultured. It suited her. He had met her three times now at meetings about
The Crucible,
and he realized that his attraction to her was powerful. He thought about her a lot. But he had no intention of doing anything about her. She’d never be interested in him.
    He would like to do the electrical work, though. The major job he had been doing in Washington was just about completed, and he and his crew would finish in the next couple of days. With four men on the payroll he had to pull in as many jobs as possible to keep them busy. Two were married and had families to support, and he felt a great sense of responsibility.
    He picked up the phone to call Maggie back, and then he dropped the receiver in the cradle. He did not want to seem too anxious. Then again, he always felt a bit nervous around her.
    Returning to the bathroom, he combed his wet hair and finished his ablutions, then went to get dressed, pulled on blue jeans and a sweater.
    Fifteen minutes later he sat down at the desk in the small room at the back of the house, which he used as an office. Pulling the phone towards him, he dialled Maggie’s number.
    She answered immediately. ‘Hello?’
    â€˜It’s Jake, Maggie.’
    â€˜Hello, Jake, you got my message?’
    â€˜Yes, I did. I was in the shower when you called.’ He wondered why he’d told her that. Rushing on, he continued quickly, ‘The farm job sounds interesting. Where is it exactly?’
    â€˜It’s not too far from Kent, near Bull’s Bridge Corner,actually. It’s a pretty property and the house has great charm.’ 
    â€˜Is it really a big job?’
    â€˜I think so. To be honest with you, Jake, the entire farmhouse needs rewiring, and it needs remodelling and restoring. It hasn’t been touched in thirty years, in my opinion anyway. The woman who’s bought it, my client, wants air conditioning and central heating systems put in, all new appliances in the kitchen, and she wants to build a laundry. Then there are the grounds. The exterior lighting will be extensive. She wants to build a pool and patio, oh, and there’s an old cottage to be remodelled for guests, as well as a caretaker’s apartment over the cottage.’ She laughed. ‘So I guess it is a huge job.’
    â€˜It sounds like it to me, Maggie. What are we looking at? About six or seven months’ work?’
    â€˜Probably. Maybe a bit longer. Can you handle it?’
    â€˜Yes, I’m pretty sure I can. And thanks for thinking of me.’
    â€˜Samantha’s always said you’re the best, and yesterday I saw the work you’ve done in the Washington house, and on the grounds there. I was very impressed.’
    â€˜Thanks. When can I see the farm? I’d like to, before I commit to it.’ 
    â€˜We could go over there later this week.’ 
    â€˜Okay.’
    â€˜How does Friday sound? That’s the fourteenth of April.’
    â€˜Great. What time?’
    â€˜Could you do it around eight?’
    â€˜Sure thing. Whereabouts is it?’
    â€˜It’s hard for me to give you the right directions … it’s up a lot of twisting roads. I think we should meet at my house, since you know where it is, and we can go from here. It’s easier and it’ll save time.’
    â€˜I’ll be there at eight sharp. And Maggie?’
    â€˜Yes, Jake?’
    â€˜Thanks for thinking of me.’
    After hanging up, Jake wrote the appointment in the small pocket diary he carried around with him, and also put it in the agenda on the desk. Then he got up and left the house.
    As he walked out to the pick-up truck it struck him that perhaps he hadn’t been so foolish after all, getting involved with the drama group. It looked as if he was