Chapter 19 #2
A gray-haired man with a mustache like her father’s stood behind the counter.
He wore a deep plum vest over his pristine shirt.
His jacket lay discarded over a chair. His smile was friendly as he said, “Good morning, Miss. Come to buy flowers? We have some beautiful peonies over here. They make a gorgeous centerpiece for a dinner table.” He spoke with a soft Irish lilt.
“Not today, thank you. I’m new in town, and I’m looking to rent a room. I was told you might know who I might speak to.” She smiled her sweetest, most innocent smile.
“Well, Miss, you’ve come to the right place.
It just so happens I have a room to let.
There’s also a ladies’ boarding house two streets over, but I think Mrs. Allen overcharges for what she provides.
My family and I live above the shop here, and there’s a furnished apartment on the third floor that’s vacant.
If you don’t mind a few stairs, it’s bright, clean, cozy, and the hot water works consistently—something I hear can’t be said for Mrs. Allen’s. We can also offer board if you like.”
This sounded perfect. A boarding house would come with all kinds of rules that would constrain her freedom. An apartment of her own where she could come and go as she pleased would be just the thing.
“That sounds perfect, Mr.—”
“Mr. O’Donnell.”
“Thank you, Mr. O’Donnell. Might I ask what you are charging for rent? I want to make sure it falls within my budget.”
Mr. O’Donnell smiled at her kindly. “We want the right tenant, someone quiet and decent but willing to put up with us. We’re talkative folk.
If you decide to take meals with us, you’ll find that out soon enough.
We’d like someone friendly who won’t mind our boisterous ways.
For the right tenant, we’d charge twenty-five a month.
If you want to eat with us, make it thirty-five.
Does that sound all right to you, Miss?”
“My name is Rory Belmont, and yes, that all sounds fine to me, ideal even. Might I see the space?”
The man bellowed, “Shannon, can you come tend to the store for a minute? I’ve some business to attend to.”
Moments later, a round older woman with her silver hair in a bun came bustling in, wiping her hand with a dishcloth.
“Good heavens, Finn. You’ll wake the dead bellowing like that. What’s so important you have to interrupt my cleaning?”
“The young lady here wants to see our apartment to let.”
Mrs. O’Donnell looked Rory up and down with a sharp eye. “Shannon O’Donnell, nice to meet you, Miss,” she said, holding out a red, calloused hand. “She looks like quality, Finn. Perhaps you’d best let me handle this. You stay with the store, and I’ll take her up.”
“But Shannon—”
“But nothing. I’m taking her up, and that’s final.
” She turned to Rory. “Come with me, lass, and I’ll show you the place.
” Stuffing the dish towel in her apron, she turned and walked through a door at the back of the shop.
They passed a door and heard someone playing scales on the piano and flubbing it every few notes.
“That’s my granddaughter practicing piano in the parlor. We’re so proud of her musical talent!”
At least the piano was two floors away from where she’d be staying.
They climbed a narrow, dimly lit staircase to a third-floor landing.
Pushing open the door, Mrs. O’Donnell ushered her into the apartment and squinted in the bright sunlight.
“These back windows face south, so it’s very bright up here.
” They were in a long room that served as a sitting room, dining room, and kitchen.
There were two modest-sized bedrooms and a small bathroom.
“Our children used to live up here. They’re all grown up now, though, so we let it out.
Our last tenant was a family with a two-year-old and a four-year-old, and it was like having puppies upstairs—constant noise of running feet.
It drove us crazy, even if they were cute little things.
We’re hoping our next tenant will be quieter. ”
“I promise to be quiet as a mouse, Mrs. O’Donnell. This looks like an ideal place for me to stay. I’ll sign up for room and board if you don’t mind. It’s so dull to cook for one.” She looked around, feeling very pleased with her new home to be. “When could I move in?”
Mrs. O’Donnell gasped and clapped her hands together. “Oh, I’m so pleased! We’ll just need a deposit of fifty dollars and a letter from your employer or your bank to prove you can pay, and you can move in as soon as you like.”
“Excellent. I have proof of income and the money right here. I just got a new job, you see.” She handed over the telegram and cash, and Mrs. O’Donnell nodded appreciatively.
“Well in that case, you can move in as soon as tomorrow, if you would like.”
Rory smiled. “Excellent. I’m staying with a friend at the moment, and I don’t want to impose longer than is necessary.”
Walking back to Hank’s house, she couldn’t help but be pleased with how well everything was working out. By tomorrow, she would have fully embarked upon her new life as an independent woman with nothing to tie her down.