Jack

I watched Alex hammer the "For Lease" sign into his front yard. He had insisted on it, wanting to bring an income even though he was going to be living with May and I. May was currently out shopping for paints and other DIY supplies so that we could get Alex's house to a more presentable, renter-loving demeanour.

'I'm gonna miss it, Jackie,' Alex said, looking at the ramshackle house, 'I'm not going to lie.' I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his shoulder, leaning in him a little bit.

'It's okay, Lex. I understand.' At that moment, May pulled up in a huge van. She wiggled her eyebrows at us and we caught a glance at two construction workers. I eyed them appreciatively, Alex hitting my arm as he caught me doing so. I grinned, my tongue between my teeth, unwrapping my arms.

'May, who are these fine gentlemen you've brought with you?' I asked, stepping forward a few steps and shaking both of their hands. One smiled politely, whose name turned out to be Oliver, and the other seemed distracted by Jack. May introduced him as Rian.

'Nice meeting you both,' I said, spreading the charm thickly.

'Hello, Rian,' Alex said, looking like a stunned mullet, giving Rian a short wave, 'nice to meet you Oliver.'

May, in her usual fashion, decided the to whisk into the middle of the introductions. 'So, these two have very kindly decided to help us with the work. In the back of the van I've got paints, wood, glass and what else?' She turned to Oliver, who started speaking in a thick British accent.

'Erm, nails, screws, power tools and, erm, paint brushes I think. Rian?' Rian only nodded affirmatively.

May shot yet another dazzling smile at the pair, before announcing, 'let's get started!'

- - -

Two hours later, and one room of Alex's seven room house had been completed. It was his room, and it had needed the least amount of work. May was now waiting for the light shade of paint to dry before going over it with another coat of some other colour. I wasn't sure what colour, they all had odd names like "cottage cheese" and "napkin white". I only thought there was one shade of white, and anything not white but still on the same colour scale was grey. Apparently not, with there being over fifty shades of white.

Rian had returned to the store with Jack to look at carpeting, and I had handed Jack my credit card, writing the PIN number down on a spare piece of paper. Currently, I was moving furniture out of the living room with the help of Oliver. I picked up the light wood coffee table and smiled sadly at the still written upon it.

'What's that fer?' Oliver asked as we shuffled into the kitchen with the coffee table, indicating with his head he meant the writing.

'About a year ago now, actually, I ran away.' I said bluntly, no emotion colouring my tone. Oliver seemed taken aback, and he opened his mouth, presumably to say something. I shook my head, saying, 'I left Alex a note, and that's it.' Oliver didn't respond, instead biting his lower lip. He seemed to get the hint that the topic was off-limits and quickly changed it to how nice the weather had been recently. I smiled and offered him a cup of coffee. He accepted, and while I was standing in the kitchen making it, asked,

'So, why are ya doin' this place up?'

'We - Alex, May and myself - are moving to England.' I answered, asking afterwards, 'Sugar or milk?'

'One sugar, no milk.' Oliver answered, brightening up at my previous answer. 'I used to live in England.'

'Really?' I asked, faking surprise. 'I could never have guessed.' We both laughed, as Rian and Alex walked through the door.

'Where's May?' Alex asked, his eyebrows knitting together as he looked around the small space. I shrugged.

'Outside!' I heard May's faint voice shout. 'I've got big plans for the garden, don't you worry!'