So, here's another one about James, Sam and Robbie. Sam is all grown up. The word 'family' has been in all the other titles, and I couldn't let this one be an exception. However, since I'm not really sure whether this will have a proper plot, or just sort of roll along, the title for this one probably won't make much sense. I hope no one is expecting it to tie in at any point, because I honestly have no idea where this is going , now I've instilled confidence :P, I hope you enjoy...yet another story.


James blinks as the shrill ring of his land line wakes him from his doze. Reaching clumsily over, he sighs. Half past four in the afternoon, and I've been asleep again? He was going to have to have a word with his doctor about the painkillers they'd put him on. He picks the phone up, and answers, trying to disguise the sleepiness in his voice.

"James Hathaway"

"Jim? Its Robbie."

"Robbie." James straightens up a little in the seat. "Are you alright?"

"What? James, I'm fine..." James doesn't quite catch the mutter but he fancies that Robbie is grumbling about people thinking he's ill when ever he phones them up. "Were you asleep lad?" James smiles. It always amuses him that Robbie still calls him 'lad', even now that he's fifty nine.

"No...no." He says half-heartedly and knows that Robbie hasn't believed him. "Did you phone for anything in particular?"

"Eh? Oh yeah. Is Sam about?"

"No, He's still at work. He'll be back in about an hour though, if you want to call back?"

"Nah, its nothing urgent. I just wanted to ask Sam if he knew how much a decent price is for someone to waterproof me shed roof."

James smiled. Sam had got himself a job after his a-levels, working in a builders yard while he was waiting to be accepted into the Fire Service. "I'll give him a text, get him to find out before he leaves. He'll call you later probably."

"Cheers James, how are you by the way? Sleeping alright?" Robbie asks him that every time they speak, despite the fact that he's only had one bad nightmare this year and its April already. Granted, that nightmare had been horrific, but still.

"Yeah, I'm sleeping fine, everything is good actually. How about you?"

"Mustn't grumble. We'll have to meet up soon kidda, its been too long."

"Definitely" It has been a fair amount of time, they haven't seen each other for about 4 months, although they've phoned each other often.

"Alright lad, I'll let you go then. Tell Sam there's no rush for the information." James says his goodbyes and hangs up, before sending a text to his son.

- Could you find out how much it'll cost to waterproof Uncle Robbie's shed roof?

- Materials? Or Materials and Labour?

- Er...both? Can't see him being able to do it himself really.

- Nah,wouldn't put it past him to try though. I'll find out Dad. See you in a bit.

- Cheers Sam. Text when you leave, I'll stick the kettle on.

Of course, Sam had learnt a good while ago, that Robbie wasn't really his uncle, but he'd insisted he was family and so had carried on using the form of address. James knew how much that had meant to Robbie when twelve year old Sam had proclaimed 'Don't need to be blood related, you'll always be Uncle Robbie'. He was shaken from his thoughts by the text alert on his phone.

- On the way Dad...Tea please?

James smiles and gets up to put the kettle on. He winces as he limps around the newly sorted out kitchen. He's between jobs at the moment, mostly because he can't get anyone to hire him. And as such, the house keeps getting spontaneously cleaned and rearranged, much to Sam's amusement. He's just bringing the tea through when Sam comes through the door.

"Tea's in the front room mate." James shouts and he hears his son sigh in contentment as he pulls off his work boots.

"Cheers Dad."

"Tough day?"

"Not really," Sam says as he walks into the room. "I was just doing a lot of work in the yard and its been raining."

"Well, warm up with that cuppa then. Did you find out about the shed roof?" Sam sinks onto the sofa and cups his hands around the mug of tea happily.

"Yeah. Its gonna cost a fair amount Dad. One roll of the waterproof felt is twenty four quid, and if I remember Uncle Robbie's shed right, he'll need...er five rolls, since they have to over lap so that's gonna be nearly one hundred and twenty five pounds, plus about eighty quid labour costs to get someone in."

"That's nearly two hundred and ten pounds!" James said, incredulously.

"Yeah, proper expensive. I was thinking about it though Dad, I reckon I can cut it down to eighty odd pounds."

"How are you planning to do that mate?" Sam smiled, and tapped the side of his nose.

"That's for me to know, and you and Unc to find out." Sam reached for the home phone and started to dial his honorary uncle's number. "What's for dinner Dad?"

"Nothing unless you cook it, you cheeky sod," James grinned, swatting at his sons head as he limped into the kitchen. As he got to the door he relented. "Lasagne." Sam smiled, the smile morphing into mild concern as James turned around. His Dad was the worst for following doctor's instructions.

"Dad...shouldn't you be using the-

"-It'll get in the way."

"But the docs said-"

"-Phone your Uncle, Sam." Sam sighed, stubborn bugger, he thought fondly.

.

"Hiya Uncle Robbie, its Sam."

"Hello lad, how are you doing?"

"I'm great Unc, Dad said you wanted to know how much it costs to waterproof your shed?"

"Yeah, the bloody thing was leaking like a sieve during that last shower. Thought I should get it sorted while we're having nice weather."

"Good plan. Its gonna be expensive though Uncle Rob. My boss said it would be nearly one hundred and twenty five pounds for the materials, and another eighty for the labour."

"Bloody hell! I want to waterproof it, not rent in it."

"I know Unc. But I can get the materials for you, I get a thirty percent discount, so it'll only be about eighty quid all in all."

"That would be great Sam. But what about the labour costs?"

"Well, yes. I happen to know of a young man that will happily do the work for no more than regular tea and sandwiches." James comes back in the room at this point and smiles softly. His son is quick to help out anyone he can, and when that anyone is Robbie Lewis, he's even quicker.

"Ah Sam lad, I'm not having you do all that work for nothing."

"Its fine Uncle Robbie, honestly. I'll be happy enough with payment in sandwiches and tea. And maybe a few beers?" He adds on cheekily.

"Well, if you won't accept payment, then how about you and your Dad come and stay for the weekend? Its been a while since I've seen you both." James nods, having heard the conversation.

"Sounds good Uncle Robbie. I've got next Friday off so that works out fine, if its ok with you?"

"Aye lad, that's fine. Let me speak to your Dad eh? Thank you Sam."

"No problem Unc," Sam says as he hands the phone over to James. He winks at his father, "See, told you I could cut it down." James rolls his eyes at him, and continues speaking to Robbie, finalising their plans to meet up.

.

Later that night, James is lying in bed, massaging his knee gently. The blasted thing is being a pain, literally, and he can't have another painkiller until the morning. While his nightmares are mostly sorted (he has about the same amount, at the same intensity, as anyone else does nowadays) his knee is still a big problem. The soft knee brace helps, but he's not supposed to wear it in bed, and he gets a telling off from Sam if he tries.

He's looking forward to seeing Robbie though. Even at eighty five, his former boss hasn't changed much. Sure he looks older, and moves slower, but then so does James these days.

It'll be nice to spend some times with his son and his friend, and he's grateful as possible for the opportunity.