Against the Grain

James Dayhuff is accustomed to the noise, disruption, and practical demands of renovating houses with her business partner. For Zee Aliu, living beside a building project is a much less welcome experience. Her responsibilities as a caregiver already leave little room for upheaval, and James’s work does not make daily life any quieter. An encounter away from the renovation site gives the women a chance to see something beyond their roles as troublesome neighbour and irritated resident. A New Year’s speed-dating event, an unfortunate spilled drink, and an awkward introduction complicate their assumptions about one another. As attraction develops, getting closer means finding space for someone whose life initially seemed so incompatible with their own.