Sundays video call with Walter's parents lasted a little longer as the previous day's call had been cut short by Walter . Once the call was finished , Walter and Ralph left for the garage , Paige stayed behind with Megan to make sandwiches and a couple of flasks of coffee for lunch , she also packed a couple of bottles of water for Ralph .
All the time Paige was making the sandwiches , Megan who was sitting in her high chair kept calling Mo, Mo, and making a fist to her mouth .
" You can't be hungry , it was not that long since you were fed . " Paige quietly told her with a smile on her face .
Megan still insisted , in the end , Paige cut a small square of bread off a slice then put a little spread on it , once she had put a bib on Megan , she handed it to Megan who took hold of it in both hands , a smile now on her face , she blew on it and began to eat . After the first little bite she looked at Paige and uttered Mo, Mo , then made a noise with her lips , similar to what Ralph will do when he is really enjoying something ,
Paige's face lit up in a big smile . " You like that little princess ? "
Megan gave a little giggle and took another little bite , after a minute or so she made the same noise with her lips again , then giggled .
Paige made another small square of bread with some spread on it to take with the rest of the sandwiches . By the time Paige and Megan reached the garage , the rest of the computers had loaded onto the van .
" You have been busy . " She said as she walked through the garage door.
Walter walked up to her , gave her a kiss and took Megan off her . " Well the majority were removed yesterday . All we need now is to clear anything that needs to be taken from the loft . "
" I notice you have not taken any of the chairs , any particular reason ? " Paige asked .
" I thought maybe we could treat ourselves to some new ones . " A smiling Walter told her .
" I was thinking on the way over , do you think your computer room can do without my old desk , i would like to use it when i start designing my jewellry , also i would like my old chair . Both hold so many good memories . " Paige told Walter a smile on her face .
" If that is what you want , if necessary we can always buy a preused desk to replace it in our computer room . Do you agree Ralph ? " A smiling Walter told her .
" Of course , what mom wants , she usually gets . " Ralph replied a laugh in his voice .
Once they had finished lunch , today Walter ate his food without having to feed Megan , as Paige gave her the piece of bread , she had packed for her . Both Walter and Ralph smiled as she made the noise with her lips after she had finished each bite .
Paige cleared everything up , then went upstairs to feed and change Megan . Walter and Ralph had another look around the garage to see if they had left anything behind . Once Paige came back down , this time carrying Megan in her arms , they had found one or two bits of equipment and put them in the van .
" I don't think Megan will be awake much longer , i thought you might like to give her a cuddle . "
Walter's face lit up with a big smile as he walked over to Paige , who gently handed Megan to him , who immediatly uttered Da, Da .
" If you have finished down here , i think we should clear all our personal items from from upstairs , we can check it out at the house . What we don't want we can pass it on to the Salvation Army , or if it is in poor condition just take it to the dump . Paige suggested .
" That sounds like a plan , what about Megan ? " Walter asked .
" Once she is asleep , we can put her in the middle of your bed and put pillows around so she can't roll off . " Paige replied a big smile on her face .
Walter looked down at Megan . " We had better go upstairs , Megan as begun to purr . "
They all made their way upstairs . Walter gently placed Megan in the middle of his bed . Paige put pillows either side of Megan so she could not rroll off the bed .
" Are there any boxes downsatairs ? " Paige asked.
" There a few , but they are not very large . " Walter answered .
" That's alright , i need something to put my bits and pieces of makeup and some other small items i left here . " Paige explained
" I will go fetch them mom , probably need a couple of trips . " Ralph told here .
" Thank you sweetie . " Paige then turned to Walter . " We should also empty the kitchen of all your crockery . Did you empty the kitchen down stairs ? "
All Walter could say was . " No . "
" Never mind that will not take long to empty . " Paige replied .
" But why bother , i am sure my , sorry our house as more than enough . " Replied Walter .
" We can donate it to the Salvation Army , they can use it in their food hall , for the homeless , or sell it in their thirft shop . I am sure if we leave it here , it will just end up in landfill . " Paige told Walter all the time with a smile on her face .
" Ok, you know best . "
They heard Ralph coming back up the stairs , Walter went to the door of the loft to meet him . Walter took the boxes off Ralph , who turned around and went back down the stairs . Paige picked up one of the boxes and went into the bathroom to collect her bits and pieces that were in there . Next she emptied the small items from Walter's bedroom .
In the mean time Walter had gone to the kitchen and began to empty the cupboards . He had the sense to empty the fridge and freezer before he shut the garage up . But there was still a few cans and packets of food left in the cupbards . What there was he put in one box , he would check the dates on the food once they got back to the house . He then began packing the crockery and other utensils into boxes .
After about three hours everything Paige thought should be removed , was , and loaded in the van . During most of the time they had been working , Megan had slept through it all .
Monday morning Paige came back to her condo , once she had dropped Ralph at school . She booted up her computer to look for a decorater , initinally for the two bedrooms , but with the possibilty of further work . She made arrangments with three firms , one for Tuesday at 11.00am. , another one for 4.00pm the same day . The third was for 11.00am. Wednesday morning .
As usual she met with Walter for lunch and arranged to pick him up from work that night as Walter had returned the van that morning . Once she had picked Ralph up from school she went back to the house , as it was closer to Walter's work , she Ralph and Megan waited there until it was time to go to collect Walter .
Next morning , Paige was not very happy with the first decorator , first he was thirty minutes late , he turned up in dirty work clothes , his hair seemed as if it had not been washed for a few weeks and his body odour was very unpleasant . He gave Paige a quote , when she asked him to confirm it in writing it was as if she was asking for a thousand dollars .
Her 4.00pm appointment again was late , again no apology . He was wearing badly stained work clothes , although his overall appearance was a lot more proffesional and his body odour was pleasant . His price was higher than the first persons , once he told the price he told Paige the quote would be in the post tonight . However as he was late arriving , she was a little late getting home and only arrived home a few minutes before Walter .
Next day , after dropping Ralph off at school , Paige went back to her condo to begin going a through a few of her clothes , to see what she could donate . Since she joined Scorpion she had been able to afford more clothes than she could before she had joined . But still had most of her pre items , now she was moving to a new house she felt it time to thin out her wardrobe . Ralph had already thinned out his wardrobe and put the items he wanted to donate in two black bags in his bedroom .
At 11.30am she left to got meet Walter for lunch . Once lunch ws over , she made her way to Walter's house were she would feed and change Megan .
After picking up Ralph from School she again made her way back to Walter's . Ralph began to do his homework using the kitchen island as a desk .
Just on 4.00pm there was a knock on the door . Paige made her way to the door and on opening it was surprised to see a lady , who appeared to be in her early 50's , dressed in a smart grey jacket matched by a knee length skirt , the jacket was covering a brilliant white blouse , the outfit completed by a pair of black low heeled leather shoes .
" Miss Dineen ."
Paige could only manage a quiet . " Yes. "
" My name is Susan Price , i am here to give you a quote for some decorating . "
Paige's face broke out in a big smile . " I am sorry , but the previous decorators i have met , all seem to wear only paint covered overalls and are men .
" A common misconception , i am afraid , i represent Painted Ladies , if i could see what you require . " Susan suggested .
Paige's face changed and began to go red . " I am sorry , were are my manners , please come in . "
Susan followed Paige into the kitchen were Paige introduced Ralph and Megan sitting in her car seat , watching Ralph as he did his homework .
" What beautiful shildren . " Susan said as she moved towards Megan .
Megan pulled back in her car seat almost shouted Ral,Ral . Ralph immediatly got off his stool and over to Megan . " It is alright , this lady is here to help us move into Da, Da . House . "
Megan immediatly relaxed and put her hand out .
Ralph turned to Susan . " Put your hand out slowly towards her , she wants to hold your little finger , it is her way of accepting you .
Susan looked across at Paige who just nodded . As Susan put her hand out and Megan wrapped her her little . She again turned to Paige . " She is so cute . How old is she ? "
" Just over four months old , but very advanced for her age . " A smiling Paige told her .
After about a minute Megan released Susan's finger .
Paige asked Susan a bit about her company , she felt a lot more comfortable talking to Susan , than the other two decorators .
Susan sat on one of the stools . We are a family run company , there is my sister and our daughters , we have been in business for five years , although my sister and myself have been in the trade since we both left college with a few breaks to bring up our children . We all work on the jobs , but it is usually me who goes to give the quotations , in fact i left the rest of the team on a job .
I always go and change out of my work clothe's , i believe in appearance is importent when meeting propesctive customers . I can show you letters we have received from some of our clients , plus i have photos , before and after on jobs we have worked on . "
Paige smiled at her . " I like your presantation , i did five years giving presantation's for a company called Scorpion , which my fiance owned . "
" Scorpion ! That was Walter O'Brian's company . He is your fiance , i would love to meet him , Owen the young boy he rescued after the rock fall on the beach Christmas Eve 2014 ,he is my nephew . This is his house ? "
" Yes it was given to him by his employer , when Scorpion broke up. " Paige said in a happy but at the same time sad voice and a tear in her eye .
" I am sorry that is not what i wanted to do , please excuse me . " Susan said .
" Are you alright mom ? " Ralph shouted over .
" It is alright Ralph , just finish your homework and look after Megan while i show Susan what we want doing . " Paige told him .
" Ok. mom , but don't forget , i get to choose the colours for my room . "
At that Paige began to lead Susan to the bedrooms that needed decorating . " Sorry about the tears , but when i talk about Scorpion , i can get upset as i was the reason it closed down . But that is a long story and not one i really don't want to talk about . "
" I quite understand , but if you could just give Mr O'Brian my personel thanks for what he did for Owen . " Susan told her .
" Well if you get the job , you can tell him yourself . " Said a now smiling Paige .
Paige showed Susan the two rooms that needed decorating . Susan took measurements and even made one or two suggestions as regards to what would suit light and size of the rooms . Although she did remember Ralph wanted to choose the colours of his room .
Paige felt so comfortable talking to Susan , she decided to show her the plans they had for the other two rooms . But before she did she phoned Walter to say they may be late home , so she would pick up chinese on the way home . Walter suggested he came to the house and he would pick the food up so they could eat there and go back to the condo later .
Paige told Susan , Walter was going to meet her at the house with some chinese food , so he should be with them around 6.00pm , so you could thank him then , if you want to wait .
Susan smiled . " I would like that , if you don't mind if i used part of the kitchen island to work out your quote while we wait ? "
" Of course , i will put some coffee on when we go back downstairs .
Paige explained what they wanted to do with the other two bedrooms . For Megan's nursery , Susan told her although Painted Ladies was not capable of doing the dividing wall , if they decided to use them for the decorating . Her husband was a self employed builder who she was sure would give them a quote once they were ready .
When they got to the corridor room Susan was interested as to why there should be a corridor into that room .
Paige explained how they found two doors in the corridor walls , one to a long narrow room and one to a wide staircase that led up to two more rooms , one Walter and Ralph were having and changing it into a computer room , the smaller room she was turning into a a bijou movie theater .
Sam measured that room as if the small room was removed , another job she is sure her husband could quote for . As they intended to use this as a guest room , Paige only wanted it painted in a neutral colour .
" I must admit i would love for you to choose us for the job . Would you like me to quote for the two rooms and a seperate quote for these other two rooms , excluding any dismantling and building work charges ? " Susan asked Paige .
" I have to admit your bid was the best in respect to presentation . We want to move in as quickly as possible , our plan was to sleep in the two bedrooms while the other two were decorated . " Paige explained .
Susan looked at her . " Lets go down stairs and i will work a price out for you . " Susan told her .
" Ok lets go back to the kitchen . "
Paige and Susan were back in the kitchen a few minutes later . Ralph was over by Megan , talking to her in a quiet voice , a big smile on her face .
Susan looked at Paige . " Those two seem to realy get on . "
A proud Paige , a big smile on her face . " They certainly do , if Walter is not around it is usually Ralph she calls for . "
" They look so cute together . Now if you don't mind , i will move down to the other end of the kitchen and work on your quote .
Susan was still working on the quote when Megan began to shout Da , Da , .
Paige turned to her . " Daddy will be here soon , little one . "
Megan again shouted DA DA, , as she finished Walter walked through the door .
Susan looked up from the quote . " How did Megan know , Walter was here before you ? "
Paige loooked at her . " I wish i knew . "
Paige walked over to Walter and gave him a kiss . " This is Susan from Painted Ladies , she is just working out a quote for us . "
Susan got off the stool and walked across to Walter . " Thank you so much for what you did for Owen , by getting him out of that sink hole . He still talks about you every chance he gets . "
Walter looked a little embarrassed and said in a very quiet voice . " I am just glad i could help . Will you be stopping for dinner , i have bought enough food . "
" I would be honoured , maybe we could talk about the quote , once we have eaten . I will just phone my husband to tell him i will be home late ."
" I will get some plates out while you do that , Ralph, Walter go wash your hands . " Paige said .
Megan began shouting Da, Da . again .
" You had better go say hello to Megan before you go . "
Walter walked over to Megan and kissed her on the brow . " I will be back in a minute , you be a good girl . "
Megan gave a giggle and a quick Da, Da . While Ralph and Walter were washing their hands .
Susan told Paige she had worked out a price for the rooms , based on the average price of paint , however if you choose to use a more expensive paint , she would need to amend the price .
" Lets wait until Walter and Ralph get back . I have the paint charts and if your quote is acceptable , maybe we could choose some colours . " Paige told her .
" That seems like a plan . " Susan replied .
Once Walter and Ralph were back , Paige shared the food out , Susan was surprised how Megan kept making a fist at Walter for food . Walter was only to happy to share a french fry with her .
Once Paige had cleaned all the things away , they all sat around the kitchen island , discussing the quote Susan had produced . It was not the cheapest but Paige gave Walter one of her cute smiles and agreed to accept it .
Susan who was aware how quickly they wanted it done , suggested she and one of her daughters could come the next morning to begin to prepare the first two bedrooms . Walter had been told about Susan's husband being a builder who could do the work in the two bedrooms .
Susan rang him and he agreed to come over right away to give them a quote . While they were waiting Walter , Paige and Ralph went through the colours they wanted . Thirty minutes later there was a knock on the door . Walter went to open the door . A man stood there ,grey hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans .
" Mr O'Brian , I am Mark Susan's husband . "
" Please to meet you please come in . "
Mark entered and followed Walter into the kitchen . Susan got off her stool and made her way across to Mark and gave him a hug , Susan turned round and introduced him to everyone .
Walter took Mark up to the two rooms , were the work was required . Mark checked it all out , suggested with care the material used to build the small room could be used to build a partion to create the nursery , which would keep the costs down . He gave Walter a price there and then , with the provisor if more materials were requied they would be extra .
They joined the others in the kitchen were Paige had coffee waiting for them . Mark after talking to Susan , told Walter and Paige that except for giving a quote tomorrow he could start work around 11.00am tomorrow as he had no work planned until Monday the following week , if neccessary he could work Saturday to complete the work so that Susan could begin work .
Susan interupted . " Next week we only have one job , which can be handled by two people ,so i can bring over another two of the team , so i am sure by the end of next week all the decorating will be completed by next Friday . Tomorrow it will around 10.00am before i will be over as i need to visit the job we are on to ensure the customer their job will still be finished on time . Would that be satisfactory ?
Both Walter and Paige agreed that would be fine . Paige served the coffee , Walter walked over to Megan removed her from her car seat and sat down on one high stools cuddling her , a big smile on her face and an occasional Da , Da followed by a giggle . Not long after he picked her up she began Purring .
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Loube96 Lets hope he does , Paige seems to affect all she works for , not bad for a waitress , she probably would not like to go back to that .Megan got to try something different in this chapter
Grykon I had to give him at least a small mention
Pearliegirl I think i should start to charge spa fees if it relaxes you LOL , but sorry i think only a few more weeks , but don't worry . more stories to follow . enjoy your week .