CHAPTER EIGHT

-:- JIG -:-

Emptying my room from the house behind the garage hasn’t taken long. It’s surprising how little you have or need when living club life. If I do decide to take the house on full time after six months, then I suppose possessions will become more important and more numerous.

Strolling through the house, I notice that Amelia has left a few little touches that make it personal. A few little personal touches that make it homey. There’s a framed photo of her and the girl gang. Another of Mia, Axel, and the twins, obviously taken before Mia was pregnant with Summer. I know she hasn’t forgotten these; they’ve been left as a thoughtful gesture.

Considering Amelia hasn’t been here much, it’s nice and clean. Walking back through the rooms, I don’t see any dust or cobwebs anywhere. The kitchen smells lemony fresh, and that reminds me of Bren. She cleaned the garage house with every type of cleaner that smelled of lemon.

Getting my gear unpacked and stowed away takes only minutes. Toiletries in the bathroom, clothes in drawers and wardrobe. Hell, that’s it. I’m excited about having my own place, but looking at all I possess makes me wonder why I’m bothering.

Taking a glance in the fridge, I need to get some groceries, beer, and water. Groceries? Snacks more like. I don’t see me cooking very often. However, if I keep stocked up with some basics and can get Bren to do my cleaning and laundry, she might throw something in the oven for me too.

Grease has been good with me having time off here and there lately. The garage is still very busy, but we’re not as behind as we were. I think a lot of that is down to Maggie. She seems to have a better judge of how long things are likely to take than Amelia had. She damn near booked things in hourly, no matter how big the job was.

Maggie has the schedule split into four. A section for each bay. She doesn’t book the work to individuals, that’s for Grease to do, but she is aware of how much of the day is taken up per bay. We are booked well in advance with work using her system. Maggie keeps us on our toes when her projections start to lag by threatening us with late finishes or weekend work.

Taking my cell from my cut pocket, I place a call to Meat.

“Yeah?” Meat’s usual welcoming voice greets me.

“Hey, Meat. You got any time to spare for Mia’s project?”

“Not today. Busy.” I hear Star shouting in the background, ‘Come on, soldier boy. Come and interrogate your prisoner.’ And then the call goes dead. Yeah. He’s busy alright.

Sitting at the kitchen table with a coffee from the maker that Amelia left, I start searching for baby strollers or what the hell they are these days. I don’t know what design I’m going to use for Mia’s project yet and I need to be getting some idea soon. Meat was supposed to be helping, but he’s been busy every time I’ve tried to pin him down. Now I know what he’s been busy doing!

After staring at page after page of damn buggies, strollers, and things, I suddenly find one that gives me a brainwave. Damn. I’m a genius and that is so perfect. Running for the door, I grab my helmet and lock the front door as I go.

Riding through the streets to the ‘Kids Rule’ children's shop, I let my mind wander over the parameters I’ve been setting myself for this project. My sights were set way above what I think I could have achieved with the basic framework I was looking at.

Pulling up in the parking lot near their doors, I get some very strange looks as I walk in. Not being your usual kind of customer, I just grin and head for the strollers. Knowing a bit more about what I want, now I’ve seen the designs on the internet, this should be a lot easier.

As I reach the strollers, I notice a small, middle-aged woman bearing down on me. There’s no other way to describe it other than bearing down. She looks like she’s going to throw me over her shoulder and march out of the store with me. She sure as hell looks like she could do it, too.

Stopping as she gets to my side, I’m ready to do battle. Looking up, she gives me the biggest smile. Completely thrown by this, I smile back.

“Is there something I can help you with, sir?”

“Yes. Yes, there is. I could certainly use a woman's perspective.”

“That’s a refreshing change coming from any man these days,” and she grins at me, then giggles. “What exactly is sir looking for?”

“Jig. Call me Jig.” I offer her my hand and she gives me a good firm shake.

“You can call me Amanda. Not ‘Mandy’, Amanda. I hate ‘Mandy’.”

“Okay, then,” I laugh, “Amanda it is. I’m looking for a stroller, but not just any stroller. Black if possible. The bigger the better. A strong framework, nothing lightweight.”

“That’s a good start.” Pointing at one section to our right, she states, “We can forget these, then. Cheap and cheerful, but certainly not strong and durable. Just a thought. You’re not thinking of fixing it to the side of your bike like a sidecar, are you?” She gives me a thoughtful look, and I can’t resist stringing her along.

“Damn, you're good. What gave it away?”

“I’m sorry, Jig. I can’t help you. I’d never forgive myself if I saw there’d been an accident on the news and a baby had been hurt. I can’t be a part of something like that.” She genuinely looks shocked at the thought.

“Seriously, Amanda, that’s not what this is about.” Grinning at her, she sees I’m playing with her and proceeds to punch me on the shoulder. None too gently, I might add.

“Let me explain. I have a friend who’s just had a baby girl. She’s very special in our club and has asked me to take on a project…” Explaining to Amanda what Mia has tasked me with takes a couple of minutes. Following that up with my genius brainwave for how to complete that task, and take it to another level, has Amanda not only clapping but squealing with delight.

Ten minutes is all it takes for us to narrow things down to the perfect stroller. Paying for it and arranging delivery to Star’s father's address, I give Amanda a kiss on the cheek that has all her co-workers gasping and her blushing down to her toes.

On the way home, I decide to pay a visit to Richard, Star’s father, so I can start to equip his garage space into a workshop. Surprising him with my visit, rather than calling ahead, he tells me he is grateful for the chance to step away from his writing.

“I love my new life, being able to see Star so often. Not having to avoid Rebecca and her whiney voice. No Rosemary asking for cash all the time. I should have divorced Rebecca and kicked Rosemary out years before.” Watching me measure up the garage, he adds, “My books are doing better than I ever expected. Today has been one of those days where I’ve been trying too hard, I think. My creative juices just aren’t flowing.”

He looks years younger than when he first arrived here, I have to admit. I can only imagine that having been freed from all that stress has wound back the years on his body clock.

“Your creative juices may have paid me a visit today. I’ve come up with what I think is a master plan for Mia’s project. I’m not telling her anything about it. I’ll let her expect the project she asked for and then surprise her with my sheer genius.”

“Give me a minute, and then you can tell me all about it.” Richard disappears into the house. Two minutes later and he’s back with two steaming mugs of coffee. “Spill the beans, Jig. Let’s hear this master plan of yours.”

By the time I’ve outlined my idea, Richard looks more excited than I am.

“You’re right. It is genius. Pure, unadulterated genius. Mia is going to be struck dumb when you present her with it.”

“I don’t know about ‘struck dumb’. I’m not sure that’s ever going to be a possible thing.”

“You are definitely going to be that little girl's hero. When she’s old enough to understand it, you’ll be Uncle Hero .”

“No. Enough with the hero.” It’s out before I can stop myself. Richard looks stunned, as I’m sure it came out harsher than I intended.

“I’m sorry. Have I touched a nerve or something?”

Having shot myself in the foot with my outburst, I feel I have to tell him why I’m touchy. Explaining the incident at the hospital, and the fact that Chaos heard Sara call me ‘her hero’, he understands that Chaos will never let it drop. Neither will the other brothers when they get a chance.

Letting Richard know when the stroller should be delivered, he promises to have it safely in the workshop ready for me to start work on it.

Arriving back at Amelia’s, I wonder how long it will be before I start calling it home. I make fresh coffee and grab a notepad and pencil.

Sitting at the kitchen table, I start making rough sketches of the stroller as it is new and what I want to change. This is a project I should have involved Fist with. Meat is Mia’s best friend and ‘closest advisor’ but when it comes to something like this, he’ll be lacking in enthusiasm while Star’s around. In his defense, I think he’ll be lacking enthusiasm in anything except Star when Star’s around.

Scribbling notes below the sketches I’ve made, I include a list of names and tasks. Getting everyone onboard shouldn’t take much persuasion when it’s explained fully.

A knock at the front door has me wondering who might be visiting at this time of day. Opening it, I see Lina with a box in her hands.

“Hi, Jig.”

“Hi. What can I do for you?”

“You could invite me in? This box is a bit awkward.” She tilts her head at me and I step aside.

“Need a hand with that, as it’s awkward?” I ask, thinking, ‘why has she got a box? and it’s not very awkward looking.’

Planting it firmly on the kitchen table, Lina turns to me and throws her arms around my neck, giving me another of her surprise kisses on the lips. Enjoying the kiss, just for what it is, I end it and ask her what’s going on.

“I’ve brought you a housewarming gift,” she beams at me.

“That really wasn’t necessary, Lina. Pretty much everything is here that I need.”

“Don’t be ungrateful, Jig. You don’t even know what it is yet. Open it and see.” Watching me with her big dark eyes that I always felt I could get lost in, I open the box.

“A DVD player.”

“Surprise! I’m pretty sure Amelia never left one here, and you never had one in your room.”

“Thanks. I’ll have to look out for some DVDs then, as I don’t have any.”

“Well, funny you should mention that. I happen to have quite a collection on a wide range of subjects. As you didn’t want to take me out on a date, I thought we could have a night in and watch a movie, have a few drinks. What do you say to this Friday? I can be here before you finish work and make us something to eat. Make a night of it?”

“Lina, seriously. You're wasting your time with this. I meant what I said. I’ve moved on. We are not going to be an item. I’m no longer interested in having a relationship with you. We could have had something good, but you didn’t want it.” I watch her face, but I don’t see any indication that she’s heard what I’m saying.

“I make excellent pizza. I can bring a selection of movies so you can choose what we watch.”

Looking into those eyes, I almost give in. Maybe we could still…

“No. Lina, it’s not happening. I appreciate the thought, but no. Take the DVD player and watch your movies at home. I’m not going there with you. Not now. Not Friday. Not ever.”

Slipping the player back into the box, I hand it to her and walk her to the door.

“But you kissed me back. You liked it. I know you did.” She stands outside the door, for all the world like a little girl lost.

“I always did like kissing you, Lina. That was the last time, though. No more.”

As I close the front door I hear, ‘Fucking hell.’

Ouch, I think. Maybe not such a little girl lost, after all!