Page 100 of The Unseen
“You mean that lovely Georgian terrace house we saw in South Kensington? The one with the red door?”
“That’s the one.”
“Oh, Gabe!” she squealed. “I can’t believe it.”
“There’s a virtual tour online. You can see all the rooms. I put down a deposit, but if you don’t like it anymore, I can still back out. I told the estate agent I needed until Boxing Day. I just really wanted to surprise you.” Gabe was glowing like a Christmas candle, proud of himself for pulling off this feat.
“I love it. And I love you. But where did you get the money for a down payment?”
“Someone made an offer on my parents’ house. They are willing to pay the asking price, which is unheard of in the current market. Mum and I discussed it and accepted the offer. The buyer has offered a sizeable down payment. I used it to secure the house in Kensington.”
“That’s brilliant. I can’t wait. Now we have to put my chapel on the market.” Quinn had been putting off listing her lovely chapel with an estate agent.
“There’s no need. I know how much you love it, and the money from the sale of this house will be enough to pay the death duties, set my mum up in a retirement cottage, and cover the down payment on the Kensington house.”
“Really?”
“Really. You can still use the chapel as a retreat.”
Quinn walked into Gabe’s arms and lowered her head to kiss him. She hadn’t expected such a lovely surprise this Christmas, especially given her current mood.
“2015 will be a wonderful year,” Gabe whispered as he captured her mouth in a sweet kiss. “Only good things will come our way.”
“Only good things,” Quinn echoed, and at that moment she totally believed it.
“Why don’t you put Alex in his cot for a few minutes?” Gabe suggested, giving her a seductive look.
“Mum, Dad, where are you?” Emma cried as she burst into the room. “Can I go play outside with Rufus? Grandma Phoebe says I need to put him on a leash or he might run off.”
“Later,” Gabe said, giving Quinn a meaningful look.
“Not later. Now!” Emma exclaimed, misunderstanding Gabe’s promise. “I want to go NOW!”
“All right, Miss Bossy Boots. Let’s go get that leash,” Gabe said as he grabbed his jumper and followed Emma out the door.
Quinn sank into the mattress and closed her eyes. Despite her worry for Jo, she felt happy and at peace. Their own house. She couldn’t wait. How wonderful it would be not to feel crampedanymore. Alex would have his own room and wouldn’t have to sleep in a cot in their bedroom anymore. Quinn thought about her beloved chapel. It had been a home and a refuge, but she was ready to let it go. She didn’t need it anymore. She now had a family, and the chapel was really only big enough for two. It was a part of her past but would not fit into her future. It was time to let it go, since the next chapter was about to begin.
Quinn scooped up the baby and placed him on her chest, his face level with hers. “Happy Christmas, my little man,” she cooed. The baby smiled and rested his nose against hers, his eyes an inch away from hers. Quinn laughed joyfully. “You are the best gift I could have asked for.”
She kissed Alex on the tip of his nose and got up. “Come on. It’s time to make breakfast and open the rest of the presents. I could be wrong, but I think there is something there for you, and you’re going to like it. Well, you’ll probably enjoy playing with the box more, but still,” she joked.
The aroma of frying bacon and toast began to waft from the kitchen, and Quinn headed toward the heavenly smell, glad there was no longer a body beneath the black-and-white tiles. She saw Emma and Gabe running around outside, Rufus and Buster barking as they chased the ball Emma tossed to Gabe.
“I wish Graeme were here to see this,” Phoebe said as she gazed out the window. “He’d be so happy.”
Quinn put her arm around Phoebe, and they stood together, watching their family.
FIFTY-NINE
JANUARY 2015
London, England
Quinn accepted a cup of tea from Rhiannan and leaned back in her chair, waiting to hear what Rhys had to say. He’d sounded very mysterious on the phone, refusing to tell her why he wanted to see her in his office.
Rhys took a sip of his espresso and smiled at Quinn. He looked almost like his old self, so she didn’t ask about his trip to Wales. It had obviously helped him deal with his loss, although the pain in his eyes was still there, barely hidden.
“So, what was so urgent?” Quinn asked.
