When the plumber fixed their tap, Mia offered him a birthday voucher from Grandad.
It promised one free repair, with no silly questions.
Dad told Mia that plumbers needed real money. But the plumber read the voucher twice and asked whether Grandad had any free time.
Dad asked why he wanted to know….
The kitchen tap had dripped for three days before Dad called a plumber.
Dad had tried tightening it first. The drip became a thin stream. Mum put his tools in a drawer and called that progress.
The plumber, Sam, arrived with a small bag. Mia, who was seven, watched him spread a cloth under the sink.
Are you going to fix it like Grandad? she asked.
I hope so.
Grandad fixes everything.
Dad said that was nearly true.
Sam found the worn part, replaced it and turned the tap on. Then he turned it off.
No drip.
Mia clapped. Dad looked at the bill.
Before Dad could get his bank card, Mia ran upstairs.
She returned with a folded birthday card. Inside was a bright green voucher.
ONE FREE REPAIR FROM GRANDAD.
NO SILLY QUESTIONS.
LOVE, GRANDAD.
Mia offered it to Sam.
You can have this.
Dad gently pushed it back towards her.
That’s lovely, but you can’t pay a plumber with a birthday present.
Sam asked to see it.
He read the front. He turned it over. He checked the bottom.
There’s no date on it.
Grandad says good work doesn’t go off, Mia explained.
Sam smiled.
What sort of things does he fix?
Dad said his father had been a mechanic for forty years.
Mia added that he could fix bikes, toys and things that made Dad go quiet.
Does he still work on vans? Sam asked.
Dad said he sometimes helped friends.
Sam took out his phone.
Could you ask him about Thursday?
Dad laughed.
You’re not really taking that as payment?
Not without asking Mia first.
Mia nodded eagerly. Sam handed the voucher back.
Keep it. I’d just like his number.
Dad gave it to him. Sam called Grandad from the doorstep.
He described a noise, listened for a moment, then looked down at his own van.
Thursday would be brilliant, he said.
When he hung up, Dad asked what was wrong.
A water pump, said Sam.
Dad glanced at the neat, silent tap.
But you fix water problems all day.
Sam put his tools away.
Yes. Unfortunately, my van doesn’t fit under your sink.
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