Page 18 of The Wedding Pact
‘Hello,’ Mrs Haverley said again, with a respectful nod.
‘I’ll cut to the chase, if I may, because I’m sure you’ve had quite enough waffle from people extolling the virtues of this place: the views, and the space, and the ceiling height,’ August hesitated. This was a tightrope she was walking on. Perhaps Mrs Haverleydidwant to hear those things, after all, who doesn’t like flattery? But if Flynn had to guess, which August also appeared to be doing, he’d place his bets on the landlady being a factual, rather than emotional, person.
A small smile played on Mrs Haverley’s lips, and Flynn noticed August let out a tiny exhale of relief. ‘My husband and I would like to move in, as soon as possible. We are dependable, we are extremely self-sufficient and we would be fantastic tenants for you.’
‘Is that so?’ Mrs Haverley asked.
Flynn felt he better jump in quick before she labelled him a doormat or some such thing. ‘That’s right, Mrs Haverley. We would be honoured to start our married life in this very apartment.’
‘And what do you both do?’ Mrs Haverley asked.
Relieved she hadn’t pressed on the marriage issue, Flynn said. ‘I work in law. International law.’
To which August added, ‘He works for one of the top law firms in Bath. I am employed within Bath tourism and also do theatrical work.’
‘Theatrical work?’ Mrs Haverley asked.
Flynn stiffened and he felt August tense against his arm. Was that the right or wrong thing to say? Was August about to be labelled a hippy?
But Mrs Haverley smiled again, one of her small, tight smiles. ‘I do enjoy the theatre.’
‘Oh, I’m so glad,’ August said. ‘Did you catchThe Mousetrapwhen it came to the Theatre Royal last autumn?’
‘I didn’t – were you in it?’ Mrs Haverley’s interest had clearly been piqued.
August laughed, pleasantly, bashfully, and said, ‘Sadly not.’
‘I don’t actually get to the theatre that often,’ Mrs Haverley added. ‘Not as often as I’d like.’
‘Well, perhaps we’ll have to change that.’
Flynn watched as August went from another-prospective-tenant to Mrs Haverley’s companion in a matter of breaths. Is this how she’d talked him around too? It was quite something to watch. But it didn’t seem fake. It didn’t seem as though she was acting. This appeared to be August’s genuinely warm personality, embellished and adapted to suit the current company. That’s not a bad way to get by in life, Flynn thought.
Mrs Haverley looked from August to Flynn and back again for a moment, seeming to think things through, and then said. ‘You say you could move in right away?’
‘As soon as you would like,’ answered Flynn.
‘Would two weeks be suitable? There’s a little maintenance to be done, unfortunately.’
‘Two weeks would be perfect,’ August nodded. ‘Wouldn’t it, darling? Just enough time to get our other affairs in order.’
‘And you’re certain this is the apartment for you?’ Mrs Haverley confirmed. ‘Not looking to buy a semi-detached out in the countryside?’ She asked this with a curl of her lip, as if she couldn’t imagine anything worse than suburban life.
‘Oh no,’ August answered. ‘We’re far too committed to living here in the city, and on this street in particular. My grandmother lived not too far away, so I know the roads around here well. I’m actually rather fond of this house.’
‘Do you sometimes sit on the wall out there, eating ice cream?’ Mrs Haverley asked, all of a sudden.
Flynn saw August stumble for words for a millisecond, and was about to jump in when she regained her composure. ‘Um, well, yes, actually. Often in my lunch breaks I walk up here. I mean I don’t always have ice cream for lunch, but you know, once in a while, or once a week, doesn’t do much harm … ’
Mrs Haverley just nodded. ‘I’d like to speak to my son now, if you’ll excuse me. Perhaps you could stay around for a while longer, or leave your telephone number somewhere I might find it. What were your names again?’
‘Flynn and August,’ Flynn said, feeling August’s hand lace with his and squeeze tightly.
‘Flynn and August. Unusual names.’ Mrs Haverley nodded to herself. ‘Memorable though, and not as unusual as some names people are giving their children now.’ And with that, she’d walked away.
‘Do you think we’re getting the apartment?’ August asked in a whisper, her voice shaking a little, her hand sweating against Flynn’s.
‘It sounds like we might be,’ he replied. ‘What do you reckon our chances are with the son?’
