Chapter 4
NANCY
‘How are you coping? I still can’t believe that Clifford has done this to you, and not been in contact at all!
’ Pam said as they sat having a cup of tea before opening Bailey’s Blossoms on Monday morning a week later.
Nancy had worked at the florist’s for almost ten years now, and Pam, the owner – although years younger than Nancy – was a good friend.
She had been really supportive when Nancy had told her about Clifford leaving and insisted that she take some time off, but Nancy had been glad to return to work after a couple of days.
She preferred to keep busy rather than sit around moping at home.
‘Neither can I,’ Nancy said. ‘But I have to face it – he’s gone and it doesn’t look like he has any intention of coming back.’
‘I can’t get my head around it. Clifford.’ Pam shook her head, tossing her dark curls. ‘He’s the last person I’d have thought would do a thing like this. And to file for a divorce…’
Nancy nodded and swallowed a lump in her throat. ‘He’s left me in a financial mess too, Pam. He’s remortgaged the house and taken the savings,’ she confessed. She hadn’t wanted to tell Pam before; she felt such a fool for trusting Clifford.
Pam’s sympathetic gaze met Nancy’s over the rim of her mug. ‘Look, I can give you a few more hours, if that would help? I’ll let one of the weekend girls go and you can have their shifts.’
‘It’s very kind of you, but a few extra hours won’t get me anywhere near what I need,’ Nancy said despondently.
‘I can’t afford the monthly mortgage payments and bills on my wage, Clifford earned a lot more money than me.
He actually told me in his note to sell up and get myself a little flat!
How dare he sod off to make a new life for himself and leave me in this mess.
’ She tossed her hair back and glared at Pam, eyes blazing.
‘You could always go on one of those Internet sites and sell pictures of your feet; some women are making a fortune from that,’ Pam suggested.
Nancy nearly choked on her coffee. ‘I don’t think anyone would pay to see photos of my bunion-riddled feet or I might actually consider giving it a try. I’m that desperate.’
Pam winked. ‘It doesn’t have to be feet…’ They both giggled.
‘Not quite that desperate… yet,’ Nancy jested.
They both looked around as the bell rang to announce a customer coming in. Feeling more cheerful now, Nancy went over to serve the man, who wanted a bunch of red roses. She wondered if it was a birthday present or an apology. Those were the two main reasons men bought flowers.
It was a busy morning with lots of people coming in for bunches of flowers or little pot plants. Then a bride-to-be came in to order her bouquet and bridesmaids’ posies, which Pam sorted out while Nancy dealt with the other customers.
Finally, it quietened down and Pam made them both another cup of coffee.
‘I’ve been thinking, you’ve got a lot of space in that house.
Have you considered taking in a couple of lodgers?
’ she suggested. ‘That would bring some regular money in.’ She placed the mug of steaming coffee on the counter in front of Nancy.
‘I did think of that but there’s a lot of legal stuff involved, and I have to inform the mortgage company and insurance. It all sounds very complicated.’
‘Why not do it informally, after all, you only need lodgers for a year at the most, don’t you?
’ Pam suggested. ‘My mum still hasn’t found a flat to rent and she has to be out of her place this weekend.
I’ve offered her a place at mine but it’s a bit crowded and she’s not too keen.
Maybe she could stay with you temporarily until she finds somewhere else. It might help you both out.’
Nancy recalled Pam telling her a few weeks ago that her mother, Jackie, had been given notice to get out of her flat because the landlord wanted to sell it.
Jackie worked in the library in town and had popped into the shop a couple of times, she seemed very friendly.
She was tall, darker-skinned than Pam – but then Malcolm, Pam’s father, was white – and with her mane of tumbling black waves and gorgeous high cheekbones she certainly didn’t look at all old enough to have a forty-year-old daughter.
It could be a short-term solution for them both, a bit of extra money and company too.
She hated being in the house by herself, especially at night-time.
‘Do you think your mum would be interested in a room? What about all her furniture and belongings?’
‘She can store them in our garage until she finds a flat.’
It could be a solution until she sorted something out.
And besides, Pam was her boss so it seemed churlish to refuse.
Poor Jackie was facing homelessness. She must be so stressed; it was a horrible thing to face at any age never mind in your sixties.
And Nancy did need more funds urgently, her mortgage payment was due in a couple of weeks, plus there were the gas and electricity bills to settle. ‘I’m up for it if your mum is.’
‘Perfect. I’ll ask Mum to phone you this evening when she’s finished work, I’m sure she’ll jump at the chance; she’s getting desperate!’ She smiled at Nancy. ‘This is marvellous. I’ve been so worried about Mum. I think you’ll both get on well.’
I hope so, Nancy thought, hoping she was doing the right thing. It’s only for a few weeks, and you’ll both be at work all day, she reminded herself.
* * *
Jackie phoned not long after Nancy arrived home, enquiring about the room. ‘Could I come around and take a look at it tomorrow night?’ she asked. ‘I’ll need to move in this weekend.’
‘Of course,’ Nancy agreed. Thank goodness she’d always kept one of the rooms made up as a guest room. She’d have to open the windows to freshen it up a bit and give the carpet a quick vac but apart from that it was good to go.
* * *
‘I might have found a tenant – for a short time anyway,’ Nancy told Val later that evening when her sister phoned to check on her. She explained about Jackie. ‘She’s coming around tomorrow evening after work to check out the room and discuss terms.’
‘Have you thought this through properly, sis? You’ll be sharing your bathroom, kitchen, lounge with a stranger.’ Val’s voice was laced with doubt. ‘And what about all the legalities we talked about?’
‘I have an ensuite, so I won’t be sharing a bathroom with anyone,’ Nancy pointed out. ‘And it’s only for a few weeks so I think we can keep it unofficial. I’ll say that she’s a guest.’
‘But you don’t really know this woman. What if you don’t get on? Or you want her to leave and she won’t?’ Val sounded very dubious.
‘I think it will be fine, I’m a pretty good judge of character.’
‘Well, Clifford had you fooled. Although I always thought he was a bit shifty.’
That rankled. ‘You never said anything before!’
‘Of course not, I kept my opinion to myself as you seemed happy enough with him. Truth be told I always thought he was a bit of a plonker and you’ve always pandered to him. And now he’s done the dirty on you, big style.’
Annoyed as she was with her sister, Nancy had to acknowledge that Clifford had indeed done her over spectacularly.
‘Well, it’s easy to be wise in retrospect,’ she retorted.
‘But going back to Jackie, I’m sorry if you don’t approve but I’ve made my decision and that’s it.
’ She softened her tone, knowing that Val, bossy as she was, was only looking out for her.
‘Look, I’ve met Jackie a couple of times and she’s very nice – a librarian in her early sixties.
Her landlord is selling the flat she’s renting so she was given two months’ notice and that’s almost up, so she needs somewhere very quickly. ’
‘I’ve heard that this happens a lot. It’s so wrong, all those people settled in their homes, paying their rent religiously and then suddenly they have to uproot themselves and start all over again,’ Val said in concern.
‘It’s especially hard for older folk, it’s not easy to readjust in your later years. ’
‘Tell me about it,’ Nancy retorted. This was exactly what Clifford had left her to do.
* * *
The next day, after work, Nancy opened the windows downstairs to let in some fresh air and went upstairs to quickly shower and change into a tunic top and leggings.
She opened the window to air the guest bedroom then checked out the bathroom next door, which was, of course, spotless, as it was hardly used.
Then she went downstairs intending to put the coffee machine on so that the house would smell inviting – she’d read somewhere that fresh coffee and bread were the most appealing smells, but she didn’t have time to bake bread so coffee would have to do.
She was feeling ridiculously nervous. She couldn’t believe that she was actually about to let an almost-stranger share her home.
Val was right, she was taking a big risk.
What if she didn’t get on with Jackie? Pam was her boss and it could be awkward if Nancy decided she didn’t want her mother as a tenant.
Or if Jackie moved in and didn’t like Nancy.
Stop looking for problems, she told herself.
We might get on really well, and it’s only for a few weeks.
As she reached the bottom step the doorbell rang. Goodness, Jackie was early. Shoulders back, Nancy walked purposefully to the door and opened it.
‘Hello, love, this is so good of you to let me have a room.’ Jackie smiled. She was always nicely turned out and today was wearing well-cut slacks, a tailored blouse and just the right amount of make-up.
‘Not at all. Do come in,’ Nancy opened the door wide.
‘Well, I must say this is lovely. So big and spacious.’ Jackie looked around admiringly as she followed Nancy into the hall.
‘Would you like to see the bedroom first, then I’ll show you the rest of the house?’ Nancy asked.
‘Please.’ Jackie slipped off her shoes. ‘I don’t want to be traipsing dirt all up your stairs.’
That was considerate of her, Nancy thought. ‘Thank you. The room’s this way.’
Nancy led the way up the stairs to the big room at the back.
‘Oh, this is a beautiful view and what a gorgeous garden,’ Jackie exclaimed. ‘Is it all your own work or do you have a gardener?’
Nancy flushed with pride. ‘Thank you. I do it all myself; it’s my way of relaxing.’
‘Well, you must have green fingers to create this masterpiece,’ Jackie said, gazing out admiringly. Then she turned to Nancy. ‘I see that the room is already furnished too.’
‘Yes, it’s our— my guest room,’ Nancy replied. ‘Is that a problem? Pam said that you could store your furniture at hers.’
‘Not at all, it will only be for a little while. Could I possibly look at the bathroom?’
‘Of course. It’s next door – feel free.’
She followed Jackie out and saw her expression light up as she stepped into the bathroom. ‘Oh goodness, this is divine. You have a claw-foot bath and a separate shower. I do hate having to use a shower over a bath. And it’s so spacious!’ She gazed around approvingly.
Nancy was chuffed at her praise. She had chosen all the bathroom fittings, wanting it to be luxurious and welcoming. She mainly used the ensuite but sometimes loved to have a soak in the bath. It sounded like Jackie was going to be the ideal ‘guest’.
‘This is perfect.’ Jackie turned to her. ‘How much rent are you charging?’
‘I thought… how does ￡500 a month sound? And I’d need a month up front.’
‘Very reasonable. I’ll take it. Would it be all right if I moved in on Sunday? I’ve taken Saturday off work so I can pack up and clean the flat?’
Goodness, the poor woman, what pressure to be under.
‘Of course. Is eleven-ish okay?’ Nancy said.
‘And I was wondering if we could keep it all a little informal?’ She paused.
‘Pam might have told you that my husband recently walked out and I’m trying to get to grips with everything.
Renting out a room will help me out with my finances until I sort things out. ’
‘That suits me perfectly. We can just say I’m a guest. I should be out of your hair in a month or two. It’s so good to know that I don’t have to move into Pam’s spare room.’ She winked at Nancy. ‘I think she’s just as relieved about that as I am!’
Nancy grinned. She liked working with Pam but she knew that she was a stickler for doing things her way and might not be easy to live with.
‘How about we have a cuppa and I’ll show you around downstairs?’ she suggested.
‘Yes, please, that coffee smells so inviting,’ Jackie told her.
After a quick tour around, Nancy led the way into the kitchen where they both sat down and had a cup of coffee.
‘You have a lovely home here,’ Jackie told her.
‘I’m so sorry to hear about your husband, that must have been a terrible shock.
My ex did the same – went off with another woman.
After a few months he wanted to come back but I’d learned that life was better without him by then.
I expect you’ll find the same. In my experience, men just want someone to look after them. ’
Clifford was like that, Nancy thought. Once he came home from work he was finished, feet up, relaxing.
She did everything. So why had he suddenly decided that he wanted to go off and travel the world by himself?
Was he having some sort of ‘life crisis’, or was he lying to her and had gone off with someone else, like Jackie’s ex had?