Industrious sounds coming from down the hall made Ian’s directions to Wally unnecessary. “Hi, Wally. How’s the bathroom coming?” Annie raised her voice over the sounds of tile removal. Wally was standing in a rubble of tile chunks with hammer in one hand and putty knife in the other. Chink, chink. Another bit of tile tumbled to the floor. Wally turned around, set the knife down on the corner of the sink, and then pushed his safety glasses up with the back of his hand.
“Ayuh, Annie. Alice. Watch your step. Broken tile can cut through shoe soles.” Porcelain dust aged Wally’s thick head of hair. “Did you have a good time in Texas?”
“It was a wonderful week. I’ve never seen John as excited with a gift as he was with the toy boat you made.”
“That’s real good to hear, Annie. Emily’s been helping me make her ballerina boat. Course, it’s nothing like anything you’ll ever see chugging into Stony Point harbor.” The three chuckled at the thought.
“How long do you think it will take for you to finish with Emily’s boat? The reason I ask is ...” Annie reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper. She offered it to Wally. “John wasn’t the only one who loved his boat. This is a list of mothers who are hoping you will be able to make boats for their children too. Your lobster boat is a hit.”
Wally’s mouth opened, and he drew in a surprised breath as he saw the list of names and contact information. Annie leaned over and pointed to a number she’d written at the top.
“That’s the price they’d like to pay. Is that all right?”
“All right? I thought what you paid me was too much! Are they sure?” Wally blinked his eyes several times. His hands were too dusty to rub his eyes, so he blinked instead, as though he expected the numbers to rearrange themselves with each blink.
“The ladies were very sure. Toy or specialty stores would probably charge even more for boats with inferior construction. So many companies are selling disposable, low-quality toys these days that people appreciate your boat because it will last to be handed down for generations to come.”
“Annie’s right, Wally,” Alice chimed in. “The toys we had when we were growing up didn’t break very easily. That’s why we still find them in Betsy’s attic. It’s hard to find toys that will last now.”
Wally was mentally adding up the profit for each boat. Excitement built with each addition. “This will make up for my usual winter shortfall. Emily can dance through the winter! Might even be able to put some aside.”
“Make sure you tell me when the Christmas recital is,” Annie said.
Alice chimed in, “Me too.”
“I will, I will.” Puffs of dust floated into the air with Wally’s enthusiastic nod.
“We don’t want to keep you from your tile, so we’ll head out now. We both have errands in town,” said Alice.
“If you see Peggy, would you please not tell her about the boat orders? I want to surprise her tonight.” Wally realized he was not giving them an easy task. His wife could coax information from the tightest lips.
“We promise to do our best, but you know Peggy. Good thing the KGB never had someone like her on their side. The Cold War might have been very different,” Alice quipped.
“You’re telling me. Try hiding an anniversary present from her.” Wally’s shy grin spread again across his face as he folded and tucked the order list into a pocket in his carpenter pants.
Annie and Alice left Wally to his hammer and knife. “That was a fun way to start the day,” Annie said. “I feel a little like a fairy godmother.”
“We’ll pick you up a wand at Malone’s Hardware while we’re in town. Mike carries a little of everything. He might even have some jars of fairy dust.” Alice had just finished speaking when the door to the study opened. Ian popped his head into the hall.
“Did I hear someone say ‘in town’? Would you ladies be interested in sharing a booth at The Cup & Saucer? I haven’t had breakfast or coffee yet.”
“Now that you mention it,” said Annie, “ I fed Boots but not myself.”
“Last one there leaves the tip!” Alice laid down the gauntlet while scooting to the door. “Tie your scarf tight, Annie. We’ve got this one in the bag.”
“We’ll see about that!” The mayor grabbed his briefcase, and the race was on.
2
Annie and Alice tumbled through the door of The Cup & Saucer, breathless from laughter. Peggy came toward them with platters of pancakes and eggs lined along her arms.