Miranda Book1 Ring of Castles<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor God\u2019s sake woman, what on earth are you doing to that precious chair?\u201d Saxon ran across the yard like some avenging angel and grabbed her arm before the paintbrush could put its color on the piece of furniture in front of her. \u201cThat is a gem, a beautiful thing and you were about to desecrate it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miranda shook her arm free and splashed paint on the man and herself in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho the hell are you?\u201d she answered with almost a snarl. \u201cI am in my own yard painting my own furniture and you rush over and attack me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t attack you. I prevented a crime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh yeah,\u201d Miranda was not buying it. \u201cI could ring the police. You are trespassing and you attacked me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI did not. Put that darn paintbrush down. You are giving me the creeps.\u201d He softened the tone and held out his hands. \u201cPlease, put it down. That chair is faux bamboo. It is mahogany decorated to look like bamboo. The rattan seat is hand made. It is an arts and crafts item from around nineteen ten and it might or might not be a copy or a genuine piece by one of my favorite designers.\u201d He paused. \u201cI\u2019ll buy it from you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a chair,\u201d she declared. \u201cYou sit on it and eat your dinner at a table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a special chair. Please don\u2019t paint it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my chair. I bought the house and there was stuff in the shed. I need a chair. I need a bit of color and there it was.\u201d Saxon paced back and forwards. His longish camel coat swung around and he took the flat cap he wore over the floppy blond hair and scratched at his head. It did cross her mind that he had long slim legs. She pushed away the thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I sell it and give you the money, will you leave it as it is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d Miranda answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I look at it properly?\u201d the man asked and then came and held out a hand. \u201cSaxon Haig, antiques dealer and Arts and Crafts nutter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd English. That explains a lot,\u201d she replied. Then she added that she was Miranda Montgomery and he could look at the chair if he wanted to. Saxon shot over and turned the chair upside down. He muttered to himself as he inspected the shape of the legs and found a little mark on the side of one arm. He put it down and stood back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you think it is beautiful? These were meant to be looked at and not sat upon.\u201d Miranda looked at the man who had erupted into her yard and realised it was genuine. He was not putting on an act. He was almost drooling over the chair. He had almost forgotten she was there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother one in the shed,\u201d she said and could not help smiling as his head snapped in her direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSay that again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnother one in the shed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s the shed,\u201d he asked almost jumping up and down. \u201cWere you going to paint that as well? Please tell me you didn\u2019t already paint it. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miranda wiped her hands on a cloth and went to head for the shed. He picked up the chair and followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t leave that out there. It is worth stealing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She went around the house and over to the shed that was a little distance from the back door. Beyond the shed was a fence but it was not a sturdy one and gave little protection if someone wanted to climb over it. The shed was more of a summerhouse with a veranda that could be used to sit and relax. An old lounger was left where it had last been used. Saxon hesitated and glanced at it before he followed Miranda inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he stopped dead and picked up the second chair that she had said was there. It was a twin of the other and mercifully, had not been touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank the Lord, you left it,\u201d he murmured. \u201cThat makes a pair and a pair is more valuable than a single one.\u201d He put the chair down gently and moved over to a set of drawers and then a cabinet. There were some discarded light fittings and some boxes with assorted bits and pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saxon leaned against the wooden wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre these yours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miranda nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI only moved in last week. Bought the house and when I had no chairs, I came out here to see if there was maybe a folding chair or something left behind. I found these.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMiranda,\u201d he said and then gave her a rather attractive smile, \u201cdon\u2019t suppose you have a coffee by any chance?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo chairs though. Can we sit on these?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he looked agitated again. \u201cWe can sit on the floor.\u201d That did make her laugh and she told him that she did have coffee and cake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have an oven that is working so I made a cake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes this shed have a lock?\u201d He was looking around as he asked and she said that the key was in the lock. \u201cPut them in and lock the door.\u201d Miranda did as he asked and then he picked up the lounger from the veranda. \u201cPut this in as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was torn between believing him and wondering if she had just asked a mad person into her house for coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the house she had coffee in a pot anyway and it was just a case of pouring it into mugs. He took cream with his and three sugars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow do you stay thin using sugar like that?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNervous energy. Never stand still,\u201d he told her and poked a nosey head into the living room. \u201cYou have an armchair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBe my guest,\u201d she offered and found the cake under a plastic cover. He took the slice of banana loaf and had it eaten before he reached the chair. She offered the plate again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow explain about why I cannot paint my own chairs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you allow me to advertise them for sale, I can make you enough money to buy your furniture.\u201d She waited and he asked if she had heard of the arts and crafts movement. She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStarted in England and America at the end of the nineteenth century. The group wanted to revive the crafts of the past and move away from the factory made goods that were the result of the industrial revolution. The pieces that have survived are collected by enthusiasts.\u201d A pair of matching and unspoilt pieces like those will bring two thousand dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miranda choked on her coffee and it splattered out of her mouth in a spray. She continued to cough and he helpfully thumped her on the back. She wiped her face and perched back on the edge of the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow tell me the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He took out his cell phone and flicked to a website, found an example like her chair and handed it over. It was there in plain sight. The price asked for on the website was not quite as much as he said but it was identical to the ones in her shed. He took back the phone and flicked to another place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy own website,\u201d he said. She took the offered screen and flicked from one page to another. The website was just called Saxon and it had a series of pictures of items for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, you really do deal in antiques.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I saw you out in the yard, I was just going to ask directions and then I saw the paintbrush descend on that gem.\u201d Miranda smiled properly at him for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI could buy proper chairs if I sold those?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou can see if any of the stuff in my workshop is any use to you if you really want painted chairs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI like painted furniture,\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo do I when it is done by craftsmen and has survived a couple of hundred years.\u201d He looked pointedly at the banana loaf. She offered it to him again and it disappeared like lightning. \u201cDo you know who owned this place before you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCalled Bartlett on the deeds. Never met them because the family asked the real estate people to do everything. They live a long way away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you got the deeds? She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMortgage firm holds them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you bought the place as it is, then everything on it is yours.\u201d He paused. \u201cCan I look at the other things?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d They walked back to the shed and he held up the lounger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLooks most uncomfortable,\u201d she observed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIsn\u2019t bad,\u201d he said and sat on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really don\u2019t like metal things in the house. It always seems so cold.\u201d He gave her a half smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI sort of agree with you there but this is beautifully made and not much younger than the two chairs. Not valuable but some would pay a couple of hundred dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally? Please sell it. I don\u2019t like it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo that means you do like the other two,\u201d he came back at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot because they are worth a lot of money but I am glad about that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn fact, you are sort of right. Lots of antiques were originally painted but it has either worked off or more likely been taken off as fashions changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked at the cabinet that was metal and glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was probably a doctor\u2019s cabinet or maybe a dentist\u2019s.\u201d She looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe father of the man who sold this place was a local doctor. In fact, it was called the doctor\u2019s house locally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo? That is good to know. I could even check up and make sure it was his.\u201d He looked at the set of drawers and told her that it was about the same age but not really worth anything. \u201cI mean it could make a couple pf hundred dollars. It has been left with the original finish and has no damage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere were you asking directions for?\u201d she asked. He grinned and looked extraordinarily attractive. Miranda reminded herself that she was an independent woman and men were out of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe place is called- wait for it- Pixie\u2019s Nixies.\u201d Miranda grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can show you where it is and introduce you to Pixie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hear he is an engineer and might have old lighting for sale.\u201d Miranda saw Pixie in her head but made no comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe place is quite hard to find. You have to squeeze between some houses and down a lane. He is a talented engineer but he makes robots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, dear Lord, not another upcycler.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has two degrees and is a qualified electrician as well as an engineer but he likes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know- making robots.\u201d Then he asked if he could take the things from the shed. \u201cIf we agree a price, I can do a bank transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He calculated and offered her fifty for the drawers, fifty for the cabinet, eighty for the lounger and a thousand for the two chairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTwo thousand one hundred and eighty dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re yours,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind letting me look at the older stuff you have for sale, I can give some of it back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGive me a hand to load this in the van and then I will pay the money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They took the pieces which were not heavy and put them in the van. He was as good as his word and for once her bank account actually looked healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I drive my car and you follow, I will take you to meet Andrew Pickford- Pixie. He was even Pixie at school.\u201d Pixie was a shock to anyone\u2019s system and he did not know that she had come back to her home town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He would have missed the turn completely but the little lane led past a high concrete wall and ended in a small industrial estate. She opened the metal door and shouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou in there, Pixie. You got visitors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy do people come when you are doing something that takes concentration?\u201d a voice replied and then a man in his late twenties came around the metal shelving, rubbing his hands on a cloth. He had a Mohican, orange haircut, earrings in both ears and tattoos on his forearms. He wore a tee that declared that the planet needed saving and very tight fitting jeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDear heaven above,\u201d he declared. \u201c Miranda Montgomery as I live and breathe.\u201d He ran forward quite lightly and enclosed her in a hug that might have transferred oil and engine grease onto her clothes but she hugged him back enthusiastically. Then he saw Saxon. \u201cAnd who is this gorgeous boy that you have brought to my world of genius? I do like a man with long legs, darling.\u201d He laughed at himself. \u201cSo does Miranda.\u201d He held out a hand. \u201cPixie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSaxon,\u201d the dealer answered. \u201cI hear you have industrial lighting that might be available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a few bits and pieces,\u201d Pixie replied. \u201cWalk this way.\u201d He grinned and wiggled his hips as he led the way into the workshop part of his building. He preferred to work out of sight of anyone coming into the place. Saxon looked at Miranda who laughed and held up her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s like this with everybody.\u201d Pixie heard her and stopped dead beside his workbench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore we look for lights and things. Are you back for good?\u201d She sighed and sat on a stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs there coffee in the pot?\u201d Pixie produced paper cups and poured them all a drink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny sugar?\u201d Saxon asked and shovelled in the three spoonsful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Miranda answered the unspoken question in Pixie\u2019s eyes. \u201cHe has nervous energy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBack?\u201d Pixie repeated. She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve bought a house down the lane called The Doctor\u2019s House. I finally realised what a fool I was and walked away. He almost persuaded me that I was useless and needed him to survive. Then I caught him reading my messages and just lost it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy darling, I am sooooo glad. We have all worried about you so much and there was nothing we could do. Why did you not come and ask for help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI had to make sure I could do it on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat she was doing on her own,\u201d Saxon intervened, \u201cwas about to put paint all over an Arts and Crafts small armchair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally? Did you stop her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe came across like some sort of avenging angel and grabbed my arm. I thought I was being attacked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd so you should be for painting over something like that,\u201d Pixie exclaimed. \u201dWhere on earth did you get an Arts and Crafts armchair?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was in the shed. I just thought it was some old junk and I needed a chair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord, Miranda. Where is the chair now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn my van and there was another one. I\u2019ve paid her for them and they are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow much did he give you for two of them?\u201d Pixie asked her. She smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have a healthy bank balance again and he gave me a thousand for the two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA fair man,\u201d Pixie said and held out a hand to Saxon. \u201cCome and see if there is anything here that you are happy to part with cash for.\u201d He put down his coffee cup and went around the corner of some metal shelving. The other two followed and then Saxon stopped dead. Miranda cannoned into him and they were confronted by a life size robot whose torso was the front of an old car. His head was cleverly constructed from a small and ancient television screen which had two eyes showing and moving on the screen. As Saxon took one step towards it, the robot lifted a hand and made a strange sort of hissing noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord, that is scary,\u201d Miranda exclaimed. \u201cYou have added a lot of technical stuff since I left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe almost looks alive,\u201d Saxon added. \u201cIt is very clever and very stylish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy favourite word, stylish,\u201d Pixie said and patted himself on the chest. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t pay the bills but I like to make them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere did you get the sort of expanding chrome tools that make the arms?\u201d Saxon was looking at the thing in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI found a box of tools and parts from an aircraft factory. It was the end of an auction and I only paid five dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t tell me I now know two men who like robots,\u201d Miranda left them to it and wandered around behind the shelves to see what he had squirrelled away. She reflected that Saxon had done her a favor by making her meet up with Pixie again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was so scared to come back,\u201d she thought to herself. \u201cI should have known Pix would be his same old self. They were worried about me.\u201d She smiled and reached for a dark green colored metal lampshade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs this what you meant, Saxon?\u201d she called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d he said and took it from her. \u201cIs there just the one?\u201d Pixie shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGot twenty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally? All not battered or broken?\u201d Pixie led the way to the shelves and pointed out the other nineteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey came from the hospital when they refurbished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I get them all down?\u201d Saxon asked and Pixie found a step ladder and handed them down to the other two. Saxon went into examination mode and Pixie waited for the verdict. \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pixie named a price. Saxon offered a lower one and they met in the middle at a compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey have the original galleries to hang them. I\u2019ll have to give them a clean and a polish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can rewire them for you,\u201d Pixie offered. \u201cI am a qualified electrician.\u201d The two of them came to another price arrangement and Pixie said he would do them the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saxon paid for the lamps and Pixie looked at his business card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSaxon, the website. I just made the connection. The website looks good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell thanks,\u201d Saxon replied, took off his cap and ran his hand through the floppy blond hair. \u201cWhen the lamps are cleaned and rewired, they will be up there straightaway.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf I get anything else in you might like, I\u2019ll give you a call.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHave you tried to sell the robots?\u201d Saxon went back to look at the gleaming mechanical creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do them to order sometimes when people ask for one but I don\u2019t put them up for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miranda switched off as they talked robots and then realised that Saxon was asking if she wanted to see the old furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes. I was miles away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut you have come back, darling,\u201d Pixie interrupted, \u201c and I am so pleased. We will get the gang together.\u201d She gave him her new phone number and then helped carry the gleaming robot to the van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid he buy this?\u201d she panted as they slid it carefully into the van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSale or return,\u201d Pixie told her. \u201cI\u2019ll call you tomorrow.\u201d The van drove away and Miranda ran to her car to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saxon\u2019s place was out of town and the sign over the gate proclaimed \u2018Saxon Antiques, Collectibles and Curios\u2019. He drove into a yard that had various pots, pieces of garden furniture and some statues. The door to a barn was half open. Inside was a sudden transformation from the junky look outside to walking into a furnished room. It was warm and colorful with pieces of furniture, ornaments, old signs from the railroad and felt very inviting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that a bad oh or a good oh?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood. I am impressed. It feels sort of right somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you will notice that I do not upcycle things by painting them over.\u201d She walked over to an oak dresser. It was pale in color and she loved it on sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He flicked on his cell phone and showed her a picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat was how it looked when it arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood Lord. That is miraculous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is a lot of work and that is why it now has a high price.\u201d She asked how much and said it could stay where it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou get any lights Sax?\u201d a male voice called and then a man who looked about forty, came from the room at the rear wiping his hands on a rag.\u201d Oh, sorry. Didn\u2019t realise there was a customer.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, sort of a customer. Aven de Melcourt meet Miranda Montgomery.\u201d The two shook hands and Aven listened to the shortened version of the encounter with the not painted chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet\u2019s get them in then,\u201d he said and strode off to the van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAven runs the place for me when I have to be away. He is also a good restorer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd strong\u201d Aven grinned as he carried the chest of drawers singlehandedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old Labrador dog who had followed Aven out came over to say hello. Miranda scratched her ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAven\u2019s strength is also very useful with certain items we have to move,\u201d Saxon admitted and went to bring the first of the chairs. He added that the dog was called Angie. Miranda went along to help move the chairs and then they added the rest of the pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese chairs just need a good clean and beeswax and they can go on the website. I\u2019ll call a dealer I know who might want them anyway,\u201d Saxon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is left wrapped in the blanket?\u201d Aven asked. Saxon beckoned with his finger and they unwrapped the robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood Lord above,\u201d Aven said and shook his head. \u201cThank heaven it doesn\u2019t need cleaning. Gives me the creeps.\u201d The gleaming monster robot stood in the showroom and Saxon demonstrated what it looked like with moving eyes and motion activated arm movements. \u201cYou do buy some weirdo stuff sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt has something about it though. Couldn\u2019t tell you what but I bet it sells.\u201d He turned to Miranda and asked if she wanted to see the furniture that was in the workshop. They followed Aven into the rear room which was another big barn and filled with all sorts of stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome of it will be firewood,\u201d Saxon said, \u201cSome will be restored and some will just be waiting for a clean. Some of it even sells as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He walked over to a pine dresser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is not oak like the other one but it has the same horrible orange varnish. Takes lots of paint stripper and elbow grease and then bleach and beeswax but it could look really good.\u201d He paused and grimaced. \u201cOr you could just paint it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI guess I could use the paint stripper in the now empty shed,\u201d Miranda said thoughtfully. \u201cMaybe I should give it a go. How much is it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike this forty dollars. Restored by Aven, seven hundred.\u201d Miranda gasped. \u201cHe has to be paid and it takes time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay. I\u2019ll give it a go. What about chairs? I have a table.\u201d He led her to another part of the barn where what looked like a mountain of chairs were all jumbled together. There were some set slightly to one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese do not need mending so might be your best bet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that a set of four matching?\u201d she asked and he pulled the ones she indicated out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlways sit on a chair.\u201d He instructed. She sat and it felt comfortable. She realised Saxon was still talking about the chairs and their backs and stretchers, whatever that was. Aven came over and said it was a decent set of four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIgnore the tutorial going on all of the time. He never shuts up.\u201d Miranda grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do not,\u201d Saxon said. \u201cI am being helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou do remember that I am going off early today?\u201d Aven asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, I did forget. Just go now, thanks, Aven.\u201d The man grabbed a jacket and patted his pockets for a wallet and keys and then hurried away. \u201cHis wife is having a baby.\u201d Then he turned back to the chairs. \u201cWith a clean they would match your table quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll take them and the dresser,\u201d she said and wandered back into the main store. She picked up a spotted and heavy earthenware jug. \u201cI like that. Add that in as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that is the first sign of good sense you have shown. It is Hungarian and very collectible these days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook good with lots of foliage in it,\u201d she said. \u201cHow much do I owe you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She paid with a card and leaned against the dresser where she had stood the jug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh,\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cIt shook.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Go to books for sale page to buy it and read on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Miranda Book1 Ring of Castles Chapter 1 \u201cFor God\u2019s sake woman, what on earth are you doing to that precious chair?\u201d Saxon ran across the yard like some avenging angel and grabbed her arm before the paintbrush could put its …<\/span> Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2311","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2311"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2314,"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2311\/revisions\/2314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/canonsett.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}