The Turnaround Treasure Shop by Jennie Jones

southern entrance to Main Street, by the yellow house that used to be a B&B. Dan and Charlotte Bradford’s house.
    There were smart people in Swallow’s Fall. Talented people. Nick admired Ethan Granger’s work as a carpenter, although being the local vet, Ethan did it in his spare time. Dan Bradford, Nick’s running partner, was not only a savvy businessman but a draughtsman and builder.
    Nick’s knife-making had been a hobby since childhood and he’d intended to concentrate on growing it as a full-time business from his hideaway in Swallow’s Fall but he found himself encouraged by all this Swallow’s Fall smartness to offer a second business: machine and engine repairs. Cars, tractors, ride-on lawn mowers, whatever needed fixing. He had no need of a regular income because he had savings, a Navy pension and an inheritance from his father. More importantly — after the first six months in town, he needed something to keep his hands and his brain occupied.
    â€˜How’s your mum?’ he asked Andy, then curled his fingers into the palms of his hands. Silly question. He’d just seen Andy’s mum this morning.
    â€˜My mum?’ Andy frowned. ‘She’s fine. Wasn’t she fine when you dropped her off at work?’
    Nick laughed. ‘Yeah, sorry. I was thinking more about how she’s been coping without the car.’
    â€˜Doesn’t worry her. Nothing worries Mum.’
    â€˜Really?’ Nick made a quick evaluation. Of course Lily wouldn’t let her children know how hard life might sometimes be. She’d hide that from them.
    â€˜She’s fun,’ Andy said. ‘She makes us laugh.’
    â€˜Does she?’ Nick’s smile warmed his mouth. Lily made life fun for her kids? ‘How?’
    Andy guffawed. ‘Because she’s mad. Like real crazy sometimes. She’ll be cooking dinner, or working on her furniture stuff then suddenly a favourite song will come on the radio and she’ll turn the volume up real loud — like, head-banging loud.’ Andy’s grin was so big it told Nick the boy loved this zany, uncontrolled side of his mum. ‘And she’ll dance around the house.’ Andy shook his head. ‘She’s mad.’
    She’s beautiful . Nick didn’t voice that out loud. ‘She sounds like a cool mum.’
    â€˜She says dancing releases the happy hormones.’ Andy stepped back and looked momentarily embarrassed about what he’d said. ‘Not that I do any dancing.’
    â€˜Of course not.’ Nick gave an understanding shake of his head while the vision of a younger Andy holding hands with his mother as she danced him around the house came clearly to his mind. The little boy laughing and enjoying himself. ‘I bet your sister likes it though. Women like dancing and stuff.’
    â€˜Yeah, bullshit stuff.’ Andy blushed. The way he’d pronounced the semi-swearword, like he was enjoying the taste of it in his mouth, like he felt grownup when he said it told Nick the kid had a lot to hide and was feeling his way to manhood. Still nervous and unsure but nearly ready to buck the bronco.
    â€˜Yeah,’ Nick said in an off-hand way. ‘Bullshit stuff. But whatever makes them happy, eh?’ He turned to the car, taking the attention off Andy.
    The kid watched him for a few minutes. He asked a couple of questions, which Nick answered, giving the further explanations of what he thought might be wrong with the fuel pump and what needed to be done.
    â€˜I was thinking about something, Nick, and I’d like to run it by you.’
    â€˜Sure.’ Nick picked up a rag and wiped his hands.
    â€˜It’s about Mum.’
    Nick’s heartbeat kicked up. ‘What about her?’ He tilted his weight to his hip and studied Andy in what he hoped showed a man-to-man interest, not a man-wants-your-mother interest.
    â€˜She hasn’t got much.’
    Nick