Someone Else's Conflict Read Online Free PDF Page A

jacket, and ran a hand through dark curls. She noticed a hint of salt-and-pepper at his temples before he replaced the cap, frowning slightly as if coming to some decision. ‘Do you need any help?’
    â€˜Help?’
    He shrugged. ‘I’m guessing you must live nearby. I just wondered – landslide, that storm last night…’
    She suddenly wished she hadn’t said anything. It reminded her how isolated she was.
    â€˜No, everything’s…fine, thanks. I’ve got to see my neighbours, down the lane here, about something, that’s all.’
    He nodded. ‘Good-oh. I’ll be on my way then. Thanks for the warning.’
    He raised a hand to his hat in an old-fashioned salute.
    As she continued on her way, she wished she’d locked her door. She glanced over her shoulder a few times before he disappeared from view; if he did likewise she didn’t catch him.
    Dorothy Harrington invited her in for a cup of tea. The roar of a generator drowned out the usual farmyard sounds.
    â€˜Richard drove down to the phone box earlier. The electricity board said it’ll probably take a couple of days or more to get it back. You’d be amazed how widespread this storm’s been, love. They said there’s a central fault and a fair few lines down in the county. It’s no surprise that a remote area like ours is low on their list of priorities, though you can imagine Richard gave ’em what for.’
    Marilyn smiled as Dorothy continued. The telephone, true to form, looked set to take even longer to restore.
    â€˜He told them about you as well, love. They said they’ll happily divert our calls to our mobiles and pay the bills.’ They both laughed and tutted at the absurdity – neither of them had a signal at home. ‘Do you want me to run you to the phone box now?’
    â€˜That’d be great, thanks. I could do with phoning Alan.’ On her walk down she’d planned to ask, cajole, even beg the builders to start early – finding a way to scrape together the extra to pay him to work today, a Sunday, if he was willing – so they could get the devastation cleared and start almost on schedule the following week.
    Over a mug of tea, she told Dorothy about the landslip, playing it down, emphasising her relief that it wasn’t worse. Dorothy promised that Richard would come over and see what he could do to help as soon as he could, but he’d already gone out. ‘I did ask him to call by to see you before he went, but he thought old Mrs Horton might need him more. She’s 82 and on her own as you know. Sorry, love.’
    â€˜That makes perfect sense. I’m fine.’
    As they went out to the car to drive to the phone box, her neighbour paused and leaned towards her confidentially.
    â€˜I forgot to mention…we had a fellow here earlier asking if we had any work. A bit early in the day if you ask me – goodness knows where he popped up from. He looked harmless enough, if a bit eccentric. He hasn’t been up your way? Forties, fifties, big rucksack, funny hat?’
    â€˜I passed him on my way down. He was heading off over the moors towards Annerdale.’ Marilyn had no reason to doubt he’d be well on his way by now, and wanted to reassure her neighbour, who found it difficult enough as it was to come to terms with a young woman living on her own out here. She appreciated her willingness to help, but bristled at fuss. ‘I’m sure he was harmless.’
    All thoughts of power cuts and suspicious strangers were eclipsed on the way back from the phone box. Alan had apologised profusely, but that was little comfort. Not only was he unable to start clearing the mess today, but he’d have to delay starting on the barn itself. One of his customers on the edge of town had suffered a direct lightning hit to their house causing structural damage, and he was sure she’d understand that it had to take