11

Carl helped Jarred walk from the car inside to a chair and sit gingerly in it, looking around Ianto's foyer with wide eyes.

Ianto had basically cleared out the living area, turning the large front foyer into a makeshift one instead and filling the living area with bean bags, mattresses and the old mayoral table now a wonderful school desk that ran from the TV wall, back half the length of the room as the other dining table had been slid on the end. The children could now return to lessons, the TV becoming an interactive screen as Ianto calmly paid out for whatever was needed, Toshiko loving the advancements she was allowed to play with. Even a VR corner that was a firm favourite. Having the foyer so large meant at least Ianto had somewhere to have meetings and such that was not his kitchen, still his little haven.

"Right then" Ianto settled, the cup of coffee offered to Jarred was accepted with a groan of delight. "We have clearance to rebuild once the site is fully cleared. The wood unsuitable for reclamation has been dumped along with the building stuff over in the west field, at the far end. We will have a bonfire night, the kids can enjoy it at a safe distance and anything we can't burn is being buried afterwards in the pit we dig to drive the ashes form the bonfire into. We have consents for that too. I have been working on the rebuild ideas … I know it hurts but the library and school are our first priority. The mayoral chambers can wait."

"Agreed" Jarred nodded "Actually … they were so stuffy and in behind the library like that ws not right. Should be somewhere front and centre, easily identifiable. Also means it can be closed sometimes, attached to the library meant always open."

"Yes. Agreed" Ianto muttered as he made notes "River and Missus Gordon are looking into things they would like, the old girl wsa one hell of a teacher in her time and with River knowing the more modern approach we can hopefully get some design ideas the village can get behind. I suggest we open it to suggestions then have an evening where we give two or three options for them to vote on. This is their home, their kid's futures after all"

"Yes, also … some other villages with award winning schools could be good for a little look-see, see what their winning formula is, what might track here?" Jarred offered as Carl settled back with relief, the two men talking as they always did.

A team.

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For those of you asking ... Mop dogs are real. Google it. Komondor dogs commonly called mop dogs. Usually white but a cross breed is sometimes black.