Authors: Katie Fforde
Too late she remembered that Nevil had asked her to go in early but as she was always very prompt for the Monday-morning meeting she hoped she’d be able to skate over this without him noticing. Maybe she was going to find out what he had been so mysterious about recently. The trouble was, she didn’t really want to know. While her passion was finding the right homes for the right people, Nevil was much more interested in making money. And sometimes he seemed a bit ruthless about getting it.
At Alice’s insistence, Bella had brought the leftover cake from yesterday. She cut it up and put it on the tray with the mugs of tea and coffee she and Tina had prepared. Then she went into Nevil’s office. He was on the phone so she waved gaily and went out again. That was her coming to see him early, as far as she was concerned.
‘So,’ said Nevil, opening the meeting, which was really an informal rundown of what was going on. ‘Who’s got what to report?’
Edward, who was Nevil’s second-in-command, said, ‘Well, there’s a big farmhouse in a state of dilapidation about to come on the market. I’m going to do a valuation today.’
‘What sort of money are you thinking?’ asked Bella.
‘Hard to say, and it might be a money pit, but I’m thinking probably the four hundred mark.’
‘How big?’ asked Nevil.
‘Five beds, plenty of garden—’
‘Oh, I know who’d like that!’ said Bella. ‘Can I show it to the Beesdales first?’
‘Remind me who they are?’ said Edward.
‘They lost out to sealed bids a few months ago,’ said Bella. ‘I’ve been trying to find them something ever since, but they haven’t got much money and need a lot of space.’
‘If you need a lot of space you have to be prepared to pay for it,’ said Nevil, reminding Bella that he hadn’t been as upset about them being outbid as she had.
‘Well, they’re cash buyers,’ she said, ‘so they should be able to get a bit of a bargain.’
‘I’ll let you know how the valuation goes, shall I?’ said Edward.
‘Yes please!’ said Bella.
‘Or maybe tell me? Edward?’ said Nevil, smiling.
‘Oh yes, of course, Nevil,’ said Edward, discomforted.
‘OK, Bella, what have you sold since we last met?’ Nevil said this light-heartedly but Bella felt a bit affronted. It wasn’t possible to sell something every single week and he knew that.
‘Well,’ she said, feeling smug. ‘I’ve got a buyer for the three-bed on Hammond’s Way.’
‘Really, that one right on the roundabout?’ said Nevil.
Bella nodded. ‘Yup. To a couple who need space, don’t have much money and who – vital point this – are quite hard of hearing!’
‘Oh, genius, Bells,’ said Tina.
‘Luck more like,’ said Nevil, ‘but well done.’
‘I do believe there is a house for everyone,’ said Bella, ‘and it’s perfect for them. They just didn’t notice the road noise, even when I drew it to their attention.’
‘Oh,’ said Tina, ‘I nearly forgot, Bella. Your Mrs Agnew rang. Can you get back to her?’
‘She’s not my Mrs Agnew,’ said Bella.
‘Oh yes she is!’ said the others in chorus. ‘Only you have the patience!’
‘Bella,’ said Mrs Agnew when Bella called. ‘You’re never going to believe this but we want to see that house over by the river again.’
Bella ran through all the properties she had shown them. ‘The one you rejected because the bedroom overlooked the front of the house? In spite of the lovely meadow views? Badger Cottage?’
‘That’s the one. Though there are other things wrong with it, it’s the best you’ve shown us.’
‘There are other estate agents you know, with other houses on their books.’
‘Of course we know that, and we do sometimes go and look at houses that are on with other agents, but they’re never any good.’
‘To be fair, the ones I show you are never any good either!’ said Bella.
‘But we do want another look at one you’ve already shown us. Which does prove you’re better than the other agents . . .’
Bella laughed. ‘I’ll ring you when I’ve set up the viewing.’
Bella got out of the car and thought, yet again, what a pretty property Badger Cottage was. Double-fronted with dormers in the roof, it even had roses growing round the doors. It had a square front garden with a path down the middle to a little white gate. Surely this time her fussiest clients, the Agnews, would realise how perfect it was. She spotted the Agnews, parked in the layby a little way down the road. They were always early and, seeing her, they got out of their car and walked towards her. They greeted each other warmly.
‘So why do you think it might suit you better this time?’ said Bella as they went up the path to the front door.
‘We’re getting a bit desperate, to be honest. We’ve sold our house and we don’t want to have to rent,’ explained Mr Agnew.
‘And finding somewhere to rent wouldn’t be easy either,’ said his wife. ‘We are so very fussy.’
Bella smiled, acknowledging the truth of this, but determined that they should find somewhere they loved before too much longer. ‘Discriminating,’ she corrected. ‘Anyway, let’s go inside. It really is a charming house. One of the nicest I’ve shown you, I think.’ She found the keys to the house and let them in.
They were much more enthusiastic this time. Mr Agnew tapped the upstairs walls. ‘You see if we knocked this down and put it up this way, we could have a lovely big bedroom overlooking the back garden.’
‘So you could,’ said Bella, impressed. They had obviously thought about it quite carefully. But, reluctant to get excited about possibly having found them a house at last if they were just going to turn it down again, she decided to remind them of why it was unsuitable last time. ‘Now didn’t you think the garden was too small?’
‘Yes,’ agreed Mrs Agnew, ‘and I agonised about it, but as we back on to fields, we think it might be all right.’
‘I’m so glad to hear it,’ said Bella.
She left the Agnews to it. On a second viewing people knew what they wanted to look at, and it was best if she kept out of the way unless wanted. They took a long time, which gave her reason to be optimistic as she leant on the bonnet of her car checking emails on her phone.
‘Well?’ said Bella as the Agnews emerged from the house. They were smiling. It had to be good news.
‘We’re still not sure,’ said Mrs Agnew.
Just for a second Bella felt utter exasperation. She thrust it aside. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’
‘I don’t suppose so. Unless you can make the garden bigger.’ Mrs Agnew was apologetic. ‘Is there anyone else interested in it, do you know?’
‘I don’t think so, but I will check. But don’t hang around too long if you do want it. It is very desirable. It’s the location, you see.’
‘It is a lovely spot,’ said Mr Agnew, ‘although you can hear the motorway.’
Bella listened hard. In the very far background, currently drowned out by a wren singing its heart out, she could hear a very faint hum. ‘To be fair, it’s not loud.’
‘No,’ agreed Mrs Agnew. ‘And you can’t hear it at all in the house.’
‘So . . .’ Bella hardly liked to ask. ‘Do you want to put in an offer?’
‘Um – no, not just yet,’ said Mrs Agnew. ‘There are a few things we need to check out.’
Bella hid her frustration behind a laugh. ‘Of course. It’s such a big decision, you can’t rush into it.’ Although lots of people did, she knew perfectly well – just not the Agnews.
WHEN SHE HAD
seen them off, Bella sat in her car for a few moments. She couldn’t help thinking of all the lovely properties she had shown the Agnews over the months they had been house-hunting. Some of them hadn’t been all that lovely, she admitted, but one or two would have been perfect had it not been for some detail that wouldn’t bother anyone else. The house that was quite near a recreation ground, for instance – most people would have appreciated more green space close by, but Mrs Agnew didn’t like the sound of children playing.
As Dominic was never far from her thoughts – wondering what he thought of her, what he was doing, when she might see him again – she immediately wondered if he might like it. That house might very well suit him down to the ground, with the swings just a short walk away.
Impulsively she scrolled through the numbers on her phone until she found his. It was business, after all. Perfectly reasonable for an estate agent to ring a potential client if they had a suitable property.
‘Hi, Dominic,’ she said in her best ‘work’ voice when he answered. ‘I’ve got a property that might be perfect for you. I wondered if you’d like to view it?’
‘If you think it’s suitable, then yes, I would. Could I do it now, do you think?’
‘That is extremely short notice,’ said Bella, not sure if she was thrilled or dismayed by this response. ‘I’d have to pop back to the office and pick up the keys, but the vendor is abroad at the moment and very keen to sell so it should be fine.’
‘It’s just I’ve got the day off. It would be a good opportunity to look at houses.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Bella, glancing in the rear-view mirror to see what her hair looked like. Not too wild, thank goodness.
‘I’ve got Dylan with me,’ Dominic went on. ‘He’s the reason for the day off.’
‘Brilliant. I think he’d like this house, too.’
Dominic sounded amused. ‘Oh, why? The newly installed kitchen–diner with views over the garden?’
Bella giggled, feeling giddy suddenly. ‘Well, no actually, because there isn’t one. But there is a play area really close.’
‘It sounds perfect.’
‘I’ll make a call and then go and pick up the keys. I’ll ring you when I’ve got the details with a postcode, and then you can put it into your satnav. You have got satnav?’ If he hadn’t she’d have to meet him somewhere so they could go in convoy. It was a bit hard to find.
‘I have. All mod cons.’
‘Honestly, you sound like an estate agent!’ she said, and disconnected.
Back at the office, Bella took the time to rummage in her desk drawer for her emergency make-up kit. This consisted only of a stub of kohl pencil and some dried-up mascara, but it did make a difference. It was important not to look as if she’d put on fresh make-up for him. This wasn’t a date; it was a business meeting. She had to look professional, not pretty. She was wearing her nicest cotton dress, and the lettuce-green cardigan that went round her shoulders didn’t look too like part of a twin set. She’d done her toes the night before too, which was good. They set off her sandals nicely. She felt smart but knew she didn’t look as if she’d made an effort especially for him.
She picked up the keys and a set of details and set off. How would Dylan react to her, she wondered. And would he look like Dominic at all? What a shock it must have been to discover the little boy whose nappies you’d been changing wasn’t yours after all.
Dominic arrived shortly after she’d parked her car. She got out. ‘I promise you faithfully this is a zillion times better than the last property I showed you.’ She gestured to the pretty front garden and the path that led up to a small front door. ‘Although it is smaller,’ she added as she unlocked the door.
‘I’m very glad to hear it. This is Dylan, by the way.’
‘Hi Dylan, I’m Bella. I’m showing your – er – Dominic this house in case he might like to buy it.’
Dylan, who was clinging to Dominic’s neck like a baby orang-utan, managed an anxious nod. He was terribly like his mother, Bella realised, with blond hair and blue eyes, which would have probably stopped Dominic ever questioning that he was Dylan’s father.
‘OK,’ said Bella, retreating into estate-agent mode to overcome the awkwardness she felt at meeting Dominic’s stepson. It was weird really. Before he was born, this little sweetheart had caused Bella so much heartache. If she’d known then he wasn’t Dominic’s son, she might never have left her hometown.
‘This is the hallway: not enormous but there’s a handy utility for buggies etc.’ She indicated a room to the right that had a washing machine, loo and washbasin.
‘So it doesn’t need a huge amount doing to it then?’ asked Dominic.
‘Not a huge amount, no. It has got lovely period features and a good-sized garden. The huge kitchen and dining room you might well want would have to be added, although there is space for it.’
They went through to the kitchen, which currently was more ‘galley’ than ‘eat in’. It was in need of an upgrade, but Bella didn’t mention it. He could see that perfectly well for himself.
‘Let’s go through to the garden. It’s lovely. Even Mrs Agnew – fussiest client ever – liked the garden.’
Dominic put Dylan down and the little boy ran across the expanse of lawn towards the untidy but fully stocked border at the end, obviously relishing the chance to move.
Bella took off after him. ‘There’s a pond at the end, Dylan. We don’t want you falling into it. Could happen to anyone,’ she added, seeing the little boy look affronted at the idea he could be so silly. He was a very mature two-year-old, she realised as she took him by the hand. ‘But over here is a rather cool rockery. You can climb on it if you like. It’s quite safe.’
Dylan looked up at her and grinned, before releasing himself and setting off up the stones. He really was a darling, she decided.
Dominic walked up the lawn to join them. ‘They are secure,’ said Bella, watching Dylan. ‘The Agnews had a wriggle at those stones when they viewed it, to see if they’d be hard to get out. They don’t go much on rockeries. Not sure I do either.’ She paused for long enough for him to have a good look round and see how Dylan appreciated the space. ‘So, what do you think?’
‘All this garden might be a bit much for me actually. I don’t have a lot of time, and zero skill,’ said Dominic.
‘Oh,’ said Bella, knowing then he wasn’t going to buy it. ‘Although your Aunt Jane would give you all the advice you need.’
‘I know but I still don’t have time. Even if I “got a man in”.’
Bella nodded, a bit disappointed. She hated to be wrong, and she’d been so sure this house would be right for Dominic. ‘Any point in going upstairs? Three good-sized bedrooms and a boxroom.’
‘En-suite?’
‘It’s a period property. You could probably knock through to the boxroom though and create one.’