Authors: Katie Fforde
‘No.’ Bella paused again. ‘I have to say, while they have been desperately fussy clients, I do really like them. And if Alice was thinking of dividing her home and chose to sell half to them, I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage her.’
‘It would be a very sensible solution, for me if not for Alice.’
‘And you might like the company?’
Jane nodded. ‘The family would certainly like me to have someone else here – when Dominic goes, I mean.’
‘Is Dominic thinking of going?’ The words were out before she could censor her thoughts.
‘Well, you know, it was never going to be permanent.’
‘Of course not.’
‘And between you and me, I think things are tricky with his ex-wife.’
This news was like a stab in the solar plexus. Surely now they were safely divorced she shouldn’t still be causing Dominic trouble? Bella bit her lip and nodded, hoping Jane would read the gesture as sympathy not despair.
‘So your people might be ideal.’
Bella brought herself to the matter in hand. ‘Can I bring them to see you?’
Jane nodded. ‘Of course.’
It couldn’t have been easy for her, Bella realised, she was confronting a massive change in her life, but she was facing up to it, and Bella was humbled.
‘I’ll arrange it. And if you have even the smallest doubt about them we’ll say no more about it. You must be completely happy. And so must Dominic.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘You will promise you won’t accept these people if you’re not sure?’
‘Yes! Now when can I meet them?’
As Bella moved away so she could ring the Agnews to suggest they came to meet Jane the following day at teatime, she realised she had unwittingly made them seem more appealing because she hadn’t pushed them on her. She was almost holding her breath waiting for them to answer.
They might say ‘no’ immediately, she knew, but although they’d always been so insistent on having a detached property, she had a feeling they might at least consider the idea, if only to get to see a lovely house. And fortunately she was right. They were intrigued and keen to see it. Naturally they didn’t make any promises, but Bella knew more than to expect that.
When the arrangement had been made and directions given, she felt both relieved and anxious. Supposing the two parties she was so keen to help didn’t get on?
‘Well, if it’s all right with you, they could come over tomorrow?’
‘For tea? That would be nice.’
Bella was cautiously optimistic. Her plan might yet come together. ‘I’ll bring them so you won’t be alone and there won’t be any awkwardness.’
‘Dominic will be here too, I think.’
‘Oh, brilliant.’
Superficially she was pleased because having Dominic there would give Jane confidence. But Bella couldn’t pretend the reason for her pleasure was because of this at all. She wanted to see him because, she now – finally – admitted, she was as in love with him as she ever had been. She couldn’t keep up the pretence of being in love with Nevil any longer. Even if Dominic wasn’t free or had no interest in her, her feelings for him meant she’d rather be single than with anyone other than him. And if he was there tomorrow, they might get a chance to talk about Nevil and his goings-on.
DUTY MADE BELLA
go back to the office, although she felt like sloping off home after the meeting with Jane. But as it had only just gone five when she left her house, she decided to make sure there were no loose ends she should tie up before the weekend.
Nevil was in the main office again, apparently waiting for her. ‘So, where have you been all day?’
He was still nervy and reminded Bella of an enthusiastic dog, but this time something less benign than a see-sawing collie. Maybe his phone call hadn’t come, or maybe it hadn’t been good news.
‘Well, there was the viewing at Mrs Macey’s? I left all sorts of notes on your desk about that – they’re making a very generous offer, in spite of everything I said about it needing so much work, including a damp-proof course.’
‘Bella, I know you’re good at your job – you wouldn’t be here otherwise – but do you have to emphasise the negative all the time?’
As Bella felt she was a lot better at the job than he was she ignored that and went on: ‘I explained that all the flags on the ground floor would have to be taken up for a damp-proofing membrane to be put in’ – she looked up at him, smiling blandly – ‘and they’re still buying it.’ She paused. ‘You were out when I got back and I’ve been busy ever since.’
Nevil shrugged apologetically. ‘Sorry, I’m a bit on edge. Fancy some tea?’
Bella was awash with tea but he didn’t often offer to make it so she said, ‘Oh, yes please!’
‘Tina?’ Nevil said, indicating he expected her to get it.
So he wasn’t offering to make it after all. No change there then. She’d have refused if she’d realised.
‘So – what’s Alice up to these days?’ said Nevil, when Tina had brought in the tray.
It was unlike him to ask about Alice – something must be wrong. ‘Oh – well, actually she’s going away for a long weekend.’
‘Really? Where? Somewhere nice where they do special deals for pensioners?’
‘Nevil! That’s not very kind!’
‘It’s only the truth. She is a pensioner.’ Alice had had a small gathering for her sixtieth, and Nevil had been there.
‘Well, maybe, but she’s not off to Budleigh Salterton or Bournemouth or wherever.’
‘Pardon me for showing an interest. So where are whatever group she’s going with going?’
‘Marrakesh. And she’s going with a man.’
Nevil looked shocked.
‘Yes. A younger man.’ Too late she realised that this told Nevil she would be alone in the house that weekend. Although there was no real reason for it, Nevil didn’t like staying over with Bella if Alice was there. What excuse could she possibly make not to invite him?
He looked abashed. ‘Hey! You have an “empty”! We could party all weekend! If only I didn’t have to be somewhere.’
‘Oh.’ Bella wasn’t sure her disappointed expression quite hit the mark. ‘Where? And pleasure or business?’
‘Business! I wouldn’t leave you alone all weekend if it wasn’t important!’ He looked outraged. ‘No, I’ve got to be with some people – can’t really go into detail – but it’s an all-boy thing and definitely counts as work.’
‘You are allowed to have weekends off, Nevil,’ said Bella gently, ‘if you’re not in the office, that is.’ She always enjoyed working on Saturdays, as the office was so busy, but Nevil wasn’t keen, so something was up.
‘Oh, babes, I know that! I just feel mean not seeing you on the weekend, but I promise all this is going to pay off – big time.’
Bella smiled and then took a heartening breath. She was going to ask him about Badger Cottage – again. And this time she’d get an answer. ‘Nevil, I really want to ask you—’
His phone went and he snatched it up and clasped it to his chest. ‘Sorry, babes, this is confidential.’
Angrily, Bella snatched up the dirty mugs and left his office. Really, the amount of confidential phone calls he was getting was ridiculous! Even if she hadn’t had a film of him digging in the middle of the night, she’d have been suspicious. He never used to have confidential phone calls.
She was psyching herself up to go back into his office to get her answers, when the phone on her desk rang. At just after five thirty the main estate agency line had been put through to her office. She picked it up.
‘Bella Castle.’
‘Hi. I’m terribly sorry to ring so late on a Friday night,’ said a man’s voice.
‘It’s OK, it’s only just gone five thirty. I’m still here.’
‘But it is late to ask if me and my family could look at a house,’ the man went on, sounding stressed.
‘No, we can make an appointment – Oh, you mean you want to see something now?’
‘We are in a bit of a hurry. We’ve sold so we’re cash buyers but we have to move on Monday and we’ve nowhere to go.’
‘Oh dear.’
‘And the baby is due on Wednesday. Not that they ever come when they’re due . . .’
Bella made a decision. ‘OK, I’m happy to show you a property but it’s unlikely the vendor will be too thrilled at having a viewing at this hour.’
‘Well, it’s for one on that new estate?’
‘Oh, OK. That might be doable.’
Half an hour later, Nevil still hadn’t emerged from his office, and Bella had assembled all she needed for a viewing. Getting the contract to sell these new-builds had been down to Nevil but, having secured that, he hadn’t done a lot about actually selling them, apart from putting an ad in the paper. Still, this couple had seen the ad and were now very keen. Bella wrote Nevil a quick note explaining what she was doing and left the building, keys in hand.
As Bella parked her car, she saw a family on the steps of one of the three-beds and realised they were her clients. She’d been hoping for just the parents, but here was a very pregnant woman holding a very large baby and a harassed young man with a toddler clinging on to his leg. No wonder they were in a hurry to buy.
‘Perhaps I could hold the baby?’ asked Bella later, when she realised that the couple were finding it difficult to think with their infants so close. Mrs Archer was trying to open the fitted wardrobes to see how big they were and had already hit the baby on the head twice.
‘He’s very easy-going,’ Mrs Archer said.
Bella had seen this for herself. He’d hardly murmured when the wardrobe door had hit him. She held out her arms and then staggered as he was thrust into them. He weighed a ton. ‘He’s a big boy. How old is he?’
‘Ten months,’ said his mother crisply. ‘And yes, I am going to have my hands full. Which is why we need somewhere to live!’
Bella shifted the enormous baby in her arms. ‘There are three double bedrooms. And it’s very well arranged for families downstairs.’
‘They aren’t exactly massive, are they? The bedrooms?’ Mrs Archer went on.
‘You can fit a double bed in them,’ said Bella, feeling defensive. ‘And these houses are priced to sell. You could put bunk beds in one of the rooms easily.’
Mrs Archer nodded and went to inspect the bathroom.
‘Could you explain the heating system?’ asked her husband, who still had a small child attached to him.
Bella did her best, but she was aware she was just repeating what she’d been told and didn’t really understand the finer points. ‘There is a leaflet though,’ she finished.
The downstairs was better than the upstairs, everyone agreed. ‘It’s lovely to have a big kitchen–diner when you’ve got children, they tell me,’ said Bella. ‘And the view over the garden means you can keep an eye on the little ones while they play.’ She realised she sounded unbearably twee and decided to shut up. This family would either like this house and buy it, or not.
Half an hour later she locked the door behind them with relief. Not only had she got the viewing done without any damage to the property or the children, but they had decided to buy!
‘That’s very good news,’ she said, watching them being strapped into the car and wondering if she ever wanted children herself. ‘I’ll arrange the paperwork so, with luck, you’ll be able to sign fairly soon.’
‘As quick as you can,’ said Mr Archer. ‘We’re staying with Dawn’s mother until we can move.’
Bella nodded. ‘I completely understand. I’ll make sure it gets done immediately.’
Everyone had gone home by the time she got back to the office. She let herself in, having decided to pass on the sale of the house to her colleague who would be there all day that Saturday.
She had just opened the photocopier so she could copy the leaflet about the boiler and send it to Mr Archer, when she saw there was a set of plans there.
She picked them up. It was so easy to take the copy and leave the master in the machine. She did her copy and then decided she should find a home for the plans.
Looking at them she realised they were for a property they’d sold some time ago. She remembered it clearly. It had gone to sealed bids and Bella’s clients – a large untidy family who’d been looking for a while – had lost out to someone Nevil was dealing with.
She opened them out and saw they’d been drawn on. Next to the old farmhouse, lines had been drawn that took in the neighbouring properties. Studying them more closely she realised the whole area was up for demolition. A huge supermarket was about to take their place.
Did the area really need another supermarket? When she’d shown the family round, one of the prize points had been how close it was to Tesco. And now they and others were going to be deprived of housing that was much needed.
She was tired and dejected and decided to go home. Nevil was behind this, she knew.
ALICE WAS TRYING
to pack. All the virtues Michael was so sure she had – the reasons he had declared made him fall in love with her – seemed to have deserted her.
She was a welter of indecision. What would the weather be like in Marrakesh? Would it be a dry heat or would it be humid? She didn’t want to take too much stuff, it would make her look silly and indecisive, but nor did she want to be without some vital something.
‘OK,’ she said aloud. ‘Take out everything that doesn’t match anything else.’
This done it was easier, and she began to create outfits out of various items. Then she added a black maxi dress in fine cotton jersey, a handful of scarves and decided she was packed. The bubble of excitement that had been suppressed by her packing worries popped up again. But in this bubble the wonderful anticipation of going somewhere new with an exciting man she was girlishly in love with was dampened by the prospect of having sex for the first time in years.
On the one hand the thought was thrilling and magical and made her catch her breath with desire. But would everything still work? Would she still know what to do? And supposing he recoiled at the sight of her no-longer-young body? Well, if he did, he did, she decided, and while it would be very sad – heartbreaking even – there was nothing she could do now that would prevent it happening if it was going to.
With that sensible and down-to-earth thought, she disappeared into the bathroom armed with scissors, wax and hair dye to do her very best. When she’d done what she could, she checked her watch and rang the local beauticians to see if they could fit her in for a pedicure. There was something about having brightly painted toenails that would cheer her up if things didn’t go well.