Read Chapter 15: — THE FIRE

A fire started in the old school two weeks before renovation work was due to begin.

No one died, but half the roof was damaged and rumours spread that someone opposed to the project had set it deliberately.

Callum became the obvious suspect because he had a record.

He had been in Bristol that night.

The accusation still travelled faster than the alibi.

Martin saw him packing a bag.

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere people don't look at me like that."

"Then you'll spend your life moving."

"Easy for you to say."

"No, it isn't. Half the country once thought I was a crook who stole buyers' deposits. Some still do."

"You had lawyers."

"And you have us."

Callum stayed.

The investigation found an electrical fault in temporary wiring installed by a contractor. The apology from the village came awkwardly and incompletely.

Callum accepted none of it publicly.

Privately he told Martin, "I wanted to smash Arthur's son's face when he said it."

"But you didn't."

"No."

"That's the work."

"What work?"

"Becoming someone new while everyone else keeps meeting the old version."

Callum looked at him.

"You rehearsed that?"

"Obviously. It sounded better in my head."

They rebuilt the school.

The repaired roof incorporated exposed timber and woven acoustic panels designed by George. The classrooms became studios, training rooms and a small digital suite. One room was reserved for health and advice visits twice a week.

Rebecca called it the most expensive basket shed in Britain.

Martin called it proof that useful things could emerge from burned places.