Page 7 of Note to Self
“That’s great. When do you leave?” Bells are jangling in my head as I realise what this means.
“Really? You don’t mind? I mean, I can find someone else to rent it if you’d like.” She sounds relieved as if I was going to give her shit.
“No, you don’t need to do that. It’s fine. Can we get together before you go?”
“Um, not really. We leave for Melbourne on Monday,” she says sheepishly.
“It’s a good job I don’t mind, then, isn’t it? Go have a great time, and, Bridget, send me postcards.”
We say goodbye. This is the answer to my problems. I can sell my flat and release the equity for the land here.
The next few days are anything but relaxing. I drive back to my flat to get it ready for selling. I look around the empty rooms and grimace.
“I’m going to have to get it painted throughout,” I say to my dad. He’s been a great help and will probably offer to do it himself, but I’m not going to put him through all the hassle. “And before you say anything, I’m getting a painter and decorator in.”
He chuckles. “Good, because I wasn’t going to offer. I’m too old to be up and down a ladder all day. I know of a great decorator. She did Tom and Lucy’s place.”
I know how fussy my brother’s wife is, and if she liked her, then I’m happy with that. Although I doubt she’ll be able to do anything quickly. Not if she’s as good as my dad says she is.
“I’ll give Lucy a ring and get her number.” My dad calls her.
Luck is on my side. The decorator has had a cancellation and will come around to assess the flat and give me a quote.
Even though I’m rushed off my feet, my mind strays back to Trent. I’m kicking myself for not taking his number. He probably thinks I was just messing with him, that I didn’t mean what I said. Which is so far from the truth. I can’t get the beautiful man out of my head.
At last, I’m on my way home. The flat will be listed this weekend, and the agent doesn’t think it will take long to sell, although I’m sure she says that to everyone.
The road into Calston Cove is busy with holidaymakers, and the traffic slows to a crawl. As I turn off the main road and take the narrow lane that only locals know about, my phone rings. The call connects to my Bluetooth, and a voice I don’t recognise says hello.
“Mr Andrews?”
“Yes, how can I help you?” I slow down to manoeuvre a tight bend in the road.
“It’s Ian from Forrests Estate Agents. I have an offer for you on your property.”
“You’re kidding me? It only went on the market yesterday.”
“I think my colleague mentioned it would be quick. I have a client waiting for a flat just like yours.”
I let him talk shop as I make it to the little house I rent. “What’s the offer, Ian?”
“Oh, yes, of course, sorry. It’s the full asking price.”
Bloody hell, I even chose a higher evaluation so I could get as much equity as possible. “Then I accept. Thank you very much, Ian. You’ve made my day.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll be in touch with you shortly. Have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.”
The call ends, and I can’t keep the grin off my face. I can get in touch with the vendor and make an offer on the land. When I get to the T-junction at the end of the road, I turn right instead of left and drive towards Merrick and Drew’s place. With my flat sold for the asking price, I can buy the plot on my own. I’ll only need to borrow a bit from the bank for the new house. The amount depends on Drew’s charges to rebuild.
I’m not even sure if he’s in, but it’s worth a try. Luckily, both cars are parked in front of the house. I knock, and half a minute later, the door opens.
“Merlin, it’s good to see you.” Merrick moves aside to let me in. “I’m guessing you want a word with Drew. He’s in the garden with Willow. She’s teaching him how to make sandcastles.”
“You know there’s a beach less than a mile away, don’t you? You didn’t need to have a sandpit in the garden.” I know exactly what the play area is like in the garden; I designed it. The wooden fort climbing frame, with a swing and every other important playground activity a girl could wish for, takes up a fair amount of garden. But as she’s the most important person in both of their lives, they would give her the moon if she asked for it.
He laughs and leads me through the house and out the French doors in the kitchen. “Is this business or pleasure?” Merrick asks as we step onto the large, decked patio.
