7

I watch from the ground where I hold the ladder as he hammers a nail into the beam.

It’s been three days and the tarpaulin has sunk into the living room, weighed down with snow, just as I’d feared. We’ve managed to clean most of the debris from the living room, including throwing out the sofa James had wanted, which I’d secretly enjoyed, but now it’s time to seriously tackle the roof and ceiling repairs.

“Hold the ladder still, woman,” Chris mumbles around half a dozen nails he’s holding between his teeth.

“I am holding it still, but I need to dodge.”

He chokes a laugh.

He’s already dropped the hammer a dozen times, missing me narrowly, and he’s fallen from the ladder twice.

A handyman, he is not.

“For an Angel you’re pretty clumsy. Be more careful,” I scowl as I hand him the hammer for the umpteenth time, “if you brain me I won’t be able to help, and you’ll have to do everything yourself, including cleaning up my grey matter.”

“I apologise,” he chuckles, “I’m new to all this. I’ve never held a hammer in my life.”

“You don’t say?” I snort. “What exactly do they do up where you come from if they don’t teach boys how to use tools?”

“Oh, we have tools,” he says as he steps down the ladder, sucking his swollen thumb, a victim of his inability to nail straight.

He looks into my eyes, his own smouldering.

“Would you like to see mine?”

I shake my head and stifle a giggle.

“You’re a dirty little angel.”

He laughs.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“Seriously though, what exactly did you do where you come from?”

“As I told you before, in my realm I work as a herald and guardian. We guard the world, and humanity from those who might seek to destroy. And we herald the tidings, good and bad. Others have a variety of roles, much like you humans do. I’m sure there are those among my kind who construct things, but I’ve never had to build anything. My role was quite distinct. And please stop referring to me as a boy.”

I study his expression. His last point has surprised me, he’s so rarely serious.

“I’m sorry,” I shake my head. “But you’re young enough to be my son.”

“Don’t let my lack of knowledge of your human ways fool you. I’m much older than I look,” he murmurs, stepping close to me and pulling a woodchip from my hair, “and you’re much younger than you feel — you’re just heartsick.”

“I’m a much older woman,” I sigh, “and none of your compliments will change that. “You’re not blind, you can see my hair is greying and I have lines on my forehead. Hell, my knee creaks when I climb the stairs. I drink too much, and I’m starting to feel inclined towards gathering cats and retreating from humanity entirely.”

“And what of me?” He smiles gently. “I have a busted wing; clearly I’m incapable of holding a hammer. I too, drink excessively, and I’m also fond of pussies.”

I roll my eyes.

“C’mon, Chris, you know what I mean. I agreed to teach you. I’ve let you stay here. Please don’t pretend this is anything other than the very strange temporary partnership it is.”

“Your despondency and lack of ability to see yourself as I see you will pass,” he says gently, taking my hands in his and staring into my eyes. “More quickly too, if you share my bed. Merri, I’m only here while I learn whatever it is I’ve been sent to learn. I told you I’ll return to my realm when my duty is done. Why don’t you allow me to bring you a little Christmas cheer while I’m here, and perhaps melt some of the chill you carry in your heart?”

I blush and step back, flustered.

If I was twenty years younger I’d be grabbing his hand now and dragging him to the bedroom. But I’m not, and my libido, just like my heart, has been frozen for a long, long time. And since James’ affair the door to that freezer has been nailed shut with a ‘do not defrost’ sign alongside the one over my heart that reads ‘do not resuscitate.’

“Let’s get back to work,” I look to the ceiling, refusing to meet his eyes. “And maybe you’d better hold the ladder this time and I’ll give nailing a go.”

“Nailing is something you should definitely participate in,” he grins.

I shake my head and step up the ladder.

“You’re incorrigible.”