CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The first person Draco saw as he approached Halliday’s bike workshop was his sister, Sky. He knew she was going to be there, so he was prepared. It would have made him angry, a few weeks earlier. Today it made him smile.
She was on top of a ladder, washing the sign over the workshop gates. Her hair was tied up in a red scarf. She wore overalls clasped in at the waist with a big belt. The legs on the overalls were rolled up and she had work boots on.
When she saw him she waved and hurriedly climbed down the ladder.
“Wow!” she exclaimed when he reached the ground. “Look at you! Draco, you scrub up well. That suit is gorgeous on you.”
He smiled. “Are you still working at the coffee place as well?”
“Not any more. When Rory asked me to help out, I came here full time instead. He’s snowed under since his boss passed on. The shop was closed for a few days and there’s a backlog. I’m here to answer the phone and other stuff, so he can concentrate on the bikes. I’m cleaning up.”
“You’re not giving up your college plans, are you?”
“No, but I think I’ll do it part time.”
“Great, well, I can help with the fees.”
“You don’t need to do that. We’ve got it sorted.”
Draco frowned. He couldn’t help being doubtful and concerned.
“I know you don’t approve, but please don’t start banging on about it again.”
She put out her arms, offering him a hug.
Accepting her embrace, he returned it. “You’re good together. I’m getting used to it. Just give me time.”
“That means the world to me, to both of us” She squeezed him tightly. “Besides,” she added, brightly, “I love it here. It was hell working at the station.”
“As long as Rory’s looking after you properly.” It wasn’t quite what he meant but it was difficult to say anything concerned without sounding like a tyrant. Lara had given him a bit more perspective on this thing and he was trying to be more reasonable about it. Even so, it was going to take some getting used to.
“I can still make you a barista style coffee,” Sky added. “Rory got a proper machine so we can offer customers a brew if they have to wait.”
“Sure.”
She directed him inside the workshop. “You’ll find Rory in there.”
Draco wove his way in through a row of parked up bikes. Rory was polishing the engine casing on an impressive Harley Davidson.
“Nice Harley.”
Rory straightened up. “It was George’s.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Do you have to sell it?”
“No way. It’s for Sean. George would’ve wanted it to go to a good home, and I can’t think of anyone who’ll appreciate it more.”
Draco nodded. It was good to think about Sean out and enjoying life. He’d taken the rap for the three of them, for a hack that was basically a dare and a prank gone too far.
“I plan to take it up there on a trailer,” Rory continued as he polished the engine casing. “Hand it over when he gets out. Give him the chance to take off for a while.”
“Good plan.”
They silently shared the mutual gap, the missing piece. Sean’s absence had kept them from spending time together that last ten months, but it was changing. As the time for Sean’s freedom drew near, so Draco and Rory gradually drew back together.
“It’ll be good to spend time together again,” Draco added.
Rory nodded, smiling.
“I’m sorry I thumped you, the other night.”
“Forget it.” They stood in silence for a moment then Rory wiped his hands on a rag. “When you’re done with this mystery job of yours, I wondered how you’d feel about building me a website, and maybe a parts database?”
“You haven’t done that already?”
“It wasn’t George’s thing, and I was busy learning from him, so I never got to it. They’re things that’ll help, and I’d like to expand, going forward.”
Draco nodded. “Whatever happens with the current job, we’ll do it. It’ll be fun.”
“This job going longer than you expected?” Rory looked curious, just as he had the first time Draco had mentioned the job.
“Actually, that’s what I need to talk to you about. I need your help.”
Relief spread across Rory’s face. “Sure thing, what do you need?”
He was pleased to be asked a favour. Draco’s conscience pricked him. He’d come down heavy on Rory and Sky for seeing each other, and Lara was right, the only way to find out if they would work out was to let them try. There was no real reason why they shouldn’t be able to give it a shot.
“I can see you’re busy, but what I’m asking won’t take long, and I’ll make sure you get recompense. Plus, I’ll put in some hours here at the weekends, help you with your backlog.”
“You’ve got a deal.”
“You don’t know what I want you to do yet.”
“I trust you.” Rory looked at him intently as he spoke. He was looking for the same in return, regarding Sky.
Draco nodded. “It shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours out of your day, but I need to brief you.”
Rory nodded. “Can we do that while I work?”
Draco nodded. “Yes, of course.” He took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. “Got a spare overall?”
Rory grinned.