Jack by the Hedge (Jack of All Trades Book 4) Read Online Free

get the Newham Recorder, maybe TV coverage. The whole park will be on show.’
    ‘Are we invited?’ said Rose.
    ‘No,’ said Ian. ‘You are the back room boys,’ adding, after a glance at Liz, ‘and girls. I’ll be your representative.’
    ‘I’ll be there,’ said Liz. ‘For the floral display.’
    ‘So you will,’ admitted Ian.
    ‘There are always questions about the display,’ she said, ‘And I have to present bouquets to the Mayor and MP.’
    ‘Yes, of course. Liz and myself will be there. Representatives of the park. We must be totally ship-shape. So let’s get on the move. Here’s the jobs to be done… Rose, you are on the leaf vac. Start with the main lawn.’
    ‘I always do the leaf vaccing,’ she complained in an appeal round the room. ‘Can’t I do the playground for once?’
    ‘Don’t argue with me, Rose. Leaf vac.’
    Rose stood up with a pronounced sigh.
    ‘Amy. Put out the tennis nets. Then playground for the rest of the day.’
    ‘Do you want to swap, Amy?’ said Rose.
    ‘She does not,’ retorted Ian, pointing to the door. ‘You both know what you have to do. Off you go.’
    The women started to go, Rose making clear her reluctance in her slumped posture.
    ‘Zar. Bowling green. Get the swish, and clear the dew, then trim the banks.’
    ‘It’s a switch.’
    Ian rapped his fingers on the table and stared at the young man.
    ‘Are you trying to teach me something, Zar?’
    ‘The correct term is switch, sir, used to remove dew and surface water from greens.’
    ‘You know what I mean, smartarse. Swish it. Then give the bowling pavilion a sweep, inside and out. We might need it on the day.’
    ‘OK.’ Zar hesitated then said in a doubtful tone, ‘I’m not sure if this is the right time, but about day release classes…’
    ‘You’re correct. It’s not the right time.’
    ‘When will be the right time?’ Adding as an afterthought, ‘Sir.’
    ‘Never, if you don’t get out and start swishing.’
    Zar held up his hands in surrender, and rose.
    ‘Bill. Clear the flower beds on the main lawn. Soon as they are cleared, dig the beds over and rake them, ready for spring planting. I’ll send Zar over to assist when he’s done.’
    Bill nodded and stood up. He put on his cloth cap, and left Liz and Ian in the mess hut.
    Ian waited for Bill to shut the door after him.
    He said quietly, ‘I wanted to talk to you alone, Liz.’
    ‘I know what I have to do, Ian,’ she said. ‘Set up the cascade. I’ve got to check the equipment and the plants…’
    ‘Not about that.’
    ‘What then?’
    He hesitated, aware what he was most likely to get, but he had to plough on.
    ‘About us.’
    She stiffened. He continued, like a fly repelled first time against a window, and heading back.
    ‘I know things didn’t work out between us. I was hasty. My temper got the better of me. I have to realise when to let things drop. Give and take. Not hold grudges. Share. It has to be an equal relationship, compromise. Without compromise no relationship can work, Liz.’ A few weeks ago, he’d written to a newspaper and was quoting the advice that had been given by the agony aunt. ‘I’d like to give it another go.’
    Her hand went to the side of her face as if she had toothache. She took a deep breath before speaking, gently but firmly.
    ‘How many times do I have to tell you, Ian?’
    ‘Is there someone else?’
    She stood up. ‘That’s none of your business.’ She took the few steps to the door. ‘And if there’s nothing work related…’
    ‘Liz,’ he said. ‘I’ll do whatever you want. A clean sweep. We start over. A new leaf.’
    She half opened the door, and shook her head. She turned back, half in, half out.
    ‘Ian, we are not right for each other. That’s the way it is. I am sorry, I really am. But it’s who you are and who I am. I’m not criticising you. Give it time, and we can perhaps be friends, but not with you trying to get us somewhere we could never be.’ She