Page 6 of A Little Light

Rachel nodded as she slid from her stool. “Life gets better. I promise you.”

“Thank you for coming here today. I was hoping for a quick sale and without all the hassle.”

“Well, I want this place. It’s perfect.”

Andi beamed a smile. One that only made her eyes brighter. “Jane would like you. I know it.”

“Can I ask?”

“She passed away last year.” Andi’s voice broke as she shook her head.

Rachel’s instinct was to reach out and take her hand. “I’m sorry. I’m just making things harder by being here.”

“You’re not. And I’m okay. I didn’t know how I’d feel when the day came to bring someone else in here and potentially sell up.”

“I could have left a better first impression, I know that, but I will look after this place. I hope you know that.”

Andi nodded in agreement. “I know. That’s why I’m going to accept your offer. It’s just that I need a little more time.”

Rachel was satisfied with that. Andi needed time, but the loft would be hers one day. It was quite clear that Andi was struggling with the sale of the property, and Rachel could only try to understand that. She’d initially wondered if Andi had gotten divorced, but the truth was much sadder. At least with divorce, you want to leave your old home behind. But with death and grief? That was a whole other journey to navigate.

Rachel reached into the satchel she had slung across her body, taking a card from the pocket. “Whenever you’re ready, I’m ready. I know you have the number I called you on already, but this is my other number if you can’t get me on the one you have. If I’m working, you’re more likely to get me on this number.”

Andi took the card, placing it on the worktop. “I’ll be in touch. In a day or so.”

“No rush here, okay?”

With Andi’s great smile making an appearance again, Rachel took a step back and cleared her throat. Yes, Andi was a very attractive woman, but Rachel wasn’t looking…and Andi? Well, time would only tell if or when she would be ready to date again.

“I’ll see you soon, Andi. Take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

As Rachel approached the door and opened it, she turned back. “Hey, it was great to meet you…properly, this time.”

Chapter 3

With her hands shoved in her pockets, Andi slowly strolled around the Christmas market, alone this time. She’d left work forty minutes ago, unintentionally making her way to this side of the city. It was busier than last night, but busy was good. It meant Andi had something to do. People watch. God knew it beat sitting at home in a house she wasn’t familiar with yet.

She took a seat on the steps of St George’s Hall, huddling into herself as she cast her gaze on the crowd. A group of friends laughed with one another close to the German beer hut while a woman wiped chocolate from her daughter’s face at the Dutch pancake stand. People queued to pick up customised Christmas tree decorations, the backdrop of the huge Christmas tree in the centre of the market quite beautiful. How had Andi avoided this last year? She loved Christmas. Christmas was the most magical time of year.

As she admired the Christmas tree, the bright lights blurring her vision momentarily, she felt a presence beside her. Then, she caught a subtle hint of perfume as the wind rushed around her.

“Andi?”

Andi looked up and to her right. Rachel stood there, holding out a cup. “I…don’t—”

“I saw you sitting up here while I was waiting for my order. I picked you one up.”

One what? Andi thought. “Well, thank you. That’s lovely.”

Rachel sat down on the sandstone step beside Andi, both hands wrapped around her cup as she stared out at the market. “Here alone?”

“Oh, yeah. I do most things alone these days.”

Rachel remained silent.

“I’m sorry. That was pathetic. Yes, I’m here alone because I was on my way home from work and decided to stop by.”

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