[ Jamie sits again, not bothering to try looking at the list because he can't see it well anyway. He'll have to bother Claire about new spectacles. More clothing as well, but later. ]

Aye, the roof leaks in places, some of the brickwork is crumbling. Baseboards rotted, painting to be done, windows drafty.

[ Just to name a few things. ]

And that's no' including the poor condition of the stables.

[ He'll get to it, all of it, and he's looking forward to it, really. He built a house for his wife once, the least he can do now is fix this one for her, to make it feel like a home they'll grow roots in. Even in North Carolina, though, he'd had Ian's help, and Jamie looks at his friend. ]

How good are ye wi' tools, John?