Swapped

Chapter 7

 "So, if we're going to do this, we're going to do it the right way." They were in the shed, where there was more room for the two of them to work than in Josh's bedroom.

"And the right was is...?"

"Using bridal joints." Airlie tried not to grin, but rather attempted a look of confusion.

"A what?" She knew exactly what bridal joints were. They were one of the first types of joints she'd learned as an apprentice.

"Bridal joints. Using a nail gun would be quicker and easier, but that's cheating. Anyway, bridal joints for the corners will make your frame sturdier." He roughly sketched out the photo-frame on a scrap of paper, and how each piece of timber would fit together at joints.

"Okay..."

"You'll need a square and pencil, saw, hammer, and chisel." Airlie turned towards the tool box, sifting through it until she found what they needed. She piled the tools on the bench next to Josh, and he raised an impressed brow.

"I didn't think you'd know what any of those things were."

"Everyone knows what a hammer looks like, Josh." Airlie rolled her eyes, but smiled smugly as Josh studied her curiously out of the corner of his eye.

"What size photo do you want it to fit?"

"Like a 4 x 6?" Airlie shrugged. Josh nodded, as he measured out the dimensions on a piece of paper, then began to translate them to the timber, but paused.

"This is your frame; you do it." He gave Airlie a smug smile as she picked up the square and pencilled in the dimensions on wood, first into four equal lengths, then diving the width of the timber into thirds, before adding in the angles to each section for the joints. She smiled innocently at his astounded expression as she finished.

"Did I do it right?" Josh nodded slowly, lost for words.

"Alright, smarty-pants. Let's cut out the four lengths first before we start on the actual joints." Airlie nodded her agreement, as Josh brought the length of timber to a circular saw positioned on the far end of the bench. He geared it up, and cut the timber into four equal sections, then lifted them back over to where Airlie waited. "Right. Now we need to cut the joints. You'll need a saw." He nodded to the saw Airlie had already collected, and she picked it up. "You need to saw straight along these three lines to here." He pointed to the correct marking for the joint, and Airlie got to work on the first piece, as he did the second.

She grinned to herself when she'd finished about an hour later. Her cuts were perfect. Well worth the time and sweat she'd put into them. That's what she loved about construction work. The satisfaction you felt after hours and hours of work, and a perfect result. Airlie felt her face fall slightly. She'd really missed doing this.

"Wow. You're actually pretty good." Josh nudged Airlie gently, impressed with her work, and she felt a smile light her face again.

"Should we see if it all fits?" Josh nodded silently, and they brought the four pieces together, shimmying them into the right positions.

"Perfect!" Airlie grinned at Josh and he smiled.

"You're right. But I have to admit, I didn't think it would be." Airlie laughed, and Josh shrugged.

"This has been fun! Let's take a picture!" Airlie reached for Macey's phone in her back pocket, and set the camera to 'selfie' mode, directed at the two of them. She held up the frame as the two of them beamed happily together, and snapped the photo, before opening the image up.

Airlie still felt shocked to see Macey's face smiling up at her from the phone instead of her own...but it was a cute picture! The first of Airlie in her new body. Josh smiled from over her shoulder.

"That's a nice one." He sounded surprised, but when Airlie looked into his eyes, she could see only delight as he savoured the memory. She nudged him, to get his attention.

"Hey, we should hang out more often." He smiled, but it suddenly lacked enthusiasm, as if he didn't believe her, and Airlie bit her lip thoughtfully as she considered how to sustain their relationship past only today.

As she contemplated, Josh wandered off, and returned with a board of plywood and some nails.

"Unfortunately, we don't have any glass the right size to attach, but hammer this on as a backboard when you've got the photo." He handed her the materials, and Airlie smiled her thanks as Josh quickly cleaned the area, and began to head back inside without another word. Airlie frowned at his sudden dismissal, but didn't rush to follow him.

"Ahh...Thanks!" She yelled instead, waving goodbye with a hand he didn't even notice.

Josh didn't respond, and Airlie let her shoulders sag in dismay.

So, apparently her plan didn't work.