Chapter 16
SLATE
‘Any progress with getting your own place, Dad?’ Jed asked on Tuesday. He’d popped around to see Slate that morning, Slate didn’t have a class until the evening, and they were both sharing a low-alcohol beer in the garden.
Slate shrugged. ‘I’m looking for a house-share. But there’s not many about and the ones that become available are quickly snapped up.’
‘Have you thought about buying a place? You could look at shared ownership.’ Jed pushed his dark hair off his face. ‘Dad, you’re in your sixties now. You can’t keep living like this.’
His son was right – Slate knew that – but he didn’t want all that hassle and expense.
He’d been there, done that, when he’d married Suzie, and kept on doing it when she walked out saying that their marriage and toddler Jed were stifling her.
She’d dipped in and out of their lives while Jed was growing up, appearing with expensive toys and treating him to a day at a theme park or the zoo once in a while.
But then she’d walked away again. Last he heard she was living in some sort of commune in Portugal.
‘All I need is a room to sleep in, somewhere to shower and to cook. Why do I need to buy a place?’ He trotted out his usual reply.
Jed turned to face him, looked him straight in the eye. ‘Is it because you don’t want to live on your own?’
Hit the nail right on the head, son. When Jed had left home, the silence had been too much for Slate.
He kept himself busy working and playing gigs but waking up to an empty house, coming home to an empty house, eating meals alone – he hated it.
Then the landlord had put up the rent, so Slate decided to rent a room instead.
A succession of rooms in different places followed until Decaf’s relationship broke down, and when he suggested Slate move in to share the bills, he’d readily agreed.
That had worked out well until Decaf had met Muriel.
Jed was right though; he couldn’t live like this for the rest of his life.
Much as he hated to face it, he was getting older, his bones were starting to ache.
And the rental market had changed. It was getting more and more difficult to get decent rooms. He didn’t want to keep moving.
‘Because if it is, you know you can move in with us. You wouldn’t be in the way.’ Jed was looking at him earnestly and Slate felt a surge of love for his only child. This was typical Jed. He’d always worried about Slate and would do anything to help.
Slate patted him on the back. ‘Thanks, son, but I’m fine. I’ll find somewhere more permanent soon. Meanwhile, this isn’t a bad little place.’
‘It must be a bit of a headache living with three women!’
‘It’s okay actually. Nancy, the landlady, is the sort who rolls up their sleeves and gets on with it.
This is the first time she’s let out rooms, but her marriage recently broke up and she needs the money.
Jackie, I already know from the library, and she’s easy-going.
Phyllis is a bit of a character but she’s kind and we’re all muddling along. ’
‘For now. But this isn’t a long-term situation, Dad. It’s time you had somewhere of your own, that you can stay in for as long as you like,’ Jed suggested. ‘You could buy a little flat.’
‘I’m not likely to get a mortgage at my age, am I?’
‘Actually, you could. You have a steady income and a pension pot. There’s a few mortgage options for older folks now.’
‘Don’t most of them have a claim on the property when you die?’
Jed nodded. ‘Yes, but what does that matter? You won’t be here to worry about it and I don’t want your money. I’d prefer you to be comfortable while you’re alive. You’re not getting any younger, Dad, and I worry about you.’
‘Well, there’s no need. I’m as fit as a fiddle and intend to stay that way for a long time yet.’
Jed scratched his ear. ‘None of us know what’s around the corner. What if, God forbid, you had an accident or got ill? I bet the landlady wouldn’t want you there then. She wouldn’t want to be looking after you.’
‘Well, you’re cheerful today.’
‘You’ve got to face facts, Dad. You can’t rent someone’s spare room forever. Let me make a few enquiries about a mortgage. You will probably need a small deposit, but I might be able to help with that.’
‘I can do a small deposit. I’m not totally broke,’ Slate told him.
‘So, you’re open to the idea of buying?’
‘No, I prefer to rent, but thanks for thinking of me.’
Jed sighed and got up to go. ‘Let me know if you change your mind, Dad.’
* * *
Jed was a worrier, always had been, Slate thought when his son had left.
He’d tried hard not to let Jed know how tight money was when he was growing up, but he couldn’t hide it from him completely.
He was sure that the struggle of those years had influenced Jed in his career as a financial consultant, and in the decision to buy the sensible new-build semi on the outskirts of the town.
He’d been trying to talk Slate into buying a place of his own for years and couldn’t understand that his father was happy house-sharing.
He was hardly ever in for goodness’ sake.
When would he have time to do repairs, mow the lawn regularly and all the other stuff that comes with buying a house?
Never mind the financial drain. He had to admit that Jed had a point though, he couldn’t keep living in someone’s spare room.
Maybe he should look into renting a flat.
All the women were at work, so Slate put the vacuum around and wiped the work surfaces in the kitchen.
He checked the dishwasher. It was pretty full, so he put that on, as well as a load of washing, and he tidied his bedroom.
There were still a few hours before they all came home, which was plenty of time for a band practice session.
He checked his watch. The lads would be here any minute. They could use the dining room.
‘Hey, this is a bit of all right,’ Oxo said when he and Decaf arrived. ‘You’ve landed on your feet here, mate.’
‘It’s only temporary, but it’s fine for now.’
Decaf looked awkward. ‘Sorry, mate.’ He apologised every time he saw Slate.
Slate clapped him on the back. ‘Forget it. Couples need their own space.’
They fetched the equipment out of the van and set it up. A few minutes later they were all rehearsing the songs they were playing at the gig at the weekend. They were going at it full blast when the door suddenly opened and Nancy stood there, looking horrified.