It was six on a Sunday morning when Liz and Mike were wakened by the phone. Mike supplied a few choice words and left it for Liz. This practically guaranteed the call would be for him.
With a few more choice words Mike took the phone from Liz and snarled into it. Liz heard him give a few grunts and a sigh. Hanging up, Mike stretched and headed towards the en suite.
"That storm last night had caused damage all over the place. Boss says the phone is going crazy and he needs me in there now. There're a lot of people willing to pay Sunday rates to get things fixed now. I'll probably be out all day."
Liz sleepily sympathised and snuggled back under the blankets. It's an ill wind, she thought. Mike would get some decent overtime and she'd get to sleep in.
Just before he left Mike paused and went back to the bedroom.
"Hey, Liz," he said. "I was expecting Andy over sometime today. Apologise for me and tell him I got called in."
Liz grunted and went back to sleep.
Sunday, alone and lazy, it was after ten when Liz finally stirred and rose. She enjoyed a leisurely shower and a chance to shave without being in a rush. Finishing up with rubbing oil onto herself, Liz was ready to get dressed when the doorbell rang.
"Who the hell?" she muttered, half deciding to ignore the bell when she recalled Mike's parting words. "Bloody Andy," she decided. "Impeccable timing."
Liz grabbed a towel, wrapping it around herself as she went to chase Andy away.
"Andy," she greeted him grumpily. "Mike got called into work. He'll be gone all day. He said to say sorry."
Belatedly, Liz noticed the way Andy was looking at her. She cursed not taking the extra couple of seconds to grab a dressing ground. Even so she was startled when Andy spoke.
"A hundred dollars if you drop that towel," he said.
Liz couldn't help herself. She giggled.
"Oh, come on, Andy," she said. "Do you seriously expect me to fall for that old line? You probably owe Mike a hundred. And what do think he'd say if I did?"
"Well, I assume you wouldn't tell him or he'd want a cut of the money. And I don't owe Mike anything. The reason I came over was because he wanted me to lend him my drill."
Andy indicated the tool box lying at his feet. Then he pulled out his wallet and extracted two fifties.
"Easy money," he murmured, waving the notes gently. "Just fancy. You can get some new shoes without having to run to Mike. Maybe the hairdressers or some perfume."
Liz bit her lip. He was right, easy money. If he paid it, that was. All she had to do was flash him. What harm?