The Builder - Part 1

So, we live on a corner and just round the corner is a butchers and a bakers.  The back of the butcher's property is our side wall and boundary.

The butcher is having the wall taken down and a single story extension put up.  Because of this the builders need access to my garden and also they need to move the rubble using my side gate and driveway - not a problem, this all takes place during the day when I am generally not in.

A couple of Saturdays ago, there was a knock on the door and this man was standing there offering me wine!  Amazing.  Why do things like this not happen more often?  And why has it taken so long for such events to occur?

Turns out, he was the builder (which we shall call Bert - he is not really called Bert but I am aiming for an element of anon.).  Very grateful for the use of the drive, really helping them out etc etc.  How lovely.  Said he will chuck me a couple of bottles of wine every now and then for being so accommodating.  Aces.

The following Tuesday (I work at home on Tuesdays), there was a knock at the door, it was Bert.  Bert needed me to move my car so they could get the van up the drive but they had reserved me a space round the corner.  So Bert stepped in and de-iced my car for me, while I stood and watched (I can be helpless female if I want to be).....

He then walked round the corner to show me my space as I drove round - I probably could have found it on my own..... and then he walked me back to the the house and casually asked if my husband had minded Bert giving me wine.

I now have to add a small point in here in that I had thought over the events which unfolded across the rest of the day, we were having a nice chat.  My good friend Rowan pointed out this was not the case and I missed several alarm bells, which I will now flag for you as we go....

Asking if my husband minded about the wine was apparently alarm no. 1, especially when I said "no, he left" I don't like to make a secret of the toss pot and that he just upped and went....

OK good.  So back to work.  20 minutes later knock on the door (alarm no. 2), Bert.  Just letting me know that they had to dig up a tree, had a quick chat, came in for tea (I know, I know but it was -4 outside and I did not want to sit with the door open).  We had a nice casual chat about all sorts during which it was mentioned that my daughter (D) was a coeliac.  Bert declares his friend (I suspect he knows everyone) owns a shop with gluten free food so would get some stuff for D (alarm no. 3).  Yeah ok, whatever.  Off he goes.

4pm, knock at the door (alarm no.4), pleased to report did not let Bert in this time.  Letting me know they had finished.  Started telling me how old he is - 18 years older than me I might add - but how young at heart he is, so much energy, his kids are now in their teens, wanted another one, loves small kids, spending time with them etc.  And, of course that is what I will need to ensure, that I find someone who is on a par with me in terms of what I have materially and that I need someone who loves kids and can accept that I have one (Very big alarm no.5) - I did get it at this point, took me a while though......