Chapter 26
After a busy few days, Noah had driven down to Lower Brambleton late on Friday night, not getting to Jack’s cottage until well after midnight.
Too knackered to even make himself a cuppa, he’d fallen into bed and crashed out.
He’d had a new mattress delivered to the cottage that evening, and hefted it upstairs when he’d arrived and found it tucked in its box in the open porch.
Since it was so late, he hadn’t bothered bringing the old one back down – that could wait until the morning.
He woke up eight hours later to another beautifully sunny day.
Was there any other sort, here in Lower Brambleton, he thought with a small smile.
Every time he visited, the sun seemed to be shining.
Swinging his feet out of bed, he mulled over what he had to do today.
The rep from the foam removal company was coming over at twelve, and the grass in the back garden needed cutting, as well as the privet hedge, which was reaching well over ten feet high now.
Lucky that the neighbours were away, he thought, or he was sure he’d be getting old-fashioned looks over the wall of the front garden.
‘Morning, love!’ Mollie’s cheery tones greeted him as he pushed open the door to Purrfect Paws.
‘Morning,’ Noah replied. He gave her a smile. ‘How’s Monty?’
‘Fully recovered from his near-death experience!’ Mollie replied. ‘And grumbling at everything in sight.’
‘Situation normal, then.’ All the same, Noah was relieved that Monty hadn’t suffered any ill effects from the sedative.
‘So, what’s the plan then, Noah?’ Mollie, while diplomatic, had a tendency to get to the point swiftly.
‘Well,’ Noah began, ‘that’s something I could use your help with, if you’ve got a sec.’
‘Come into my office,’ Mollie smiled. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’
A short time later, Noah paused for breath. ‘So, what do you think?’
Mollie’s gaze regarded him levelly. ‘It’s an idea,’ she said tentatively. ‘But it’s not me you have to convince.’
‘I know. But do you think she might possibly go for it?’
‘That’s not the question you should be asking,’ Mollie replied.
‘What you should be asking is, what happens if she doesn’t?
Is Monty going to be in the same situation in six months’ time as he was on Monday, when you and your brothers decide you want to make the same decision?
If so, then perhaps you should revisit it now.
Monty’s existing here, Noah, and we’re trying to give him a good life, but existing is all he’s doing.
Is that situation easier to live with than the choice you nearly made on Monday? ’
Noah dropped his gaze. ‘I don’t know. But this is the best plan I’ve got. If Bella doesn’t go for it, then… I suppose I’ll have to think of other options.’
Mollie sighed. ‘Monty’s old, Noah. He might not have much longer. And for what it’s worth, I think that your idea, in theory, is a sound one. But I’d never want to predict Bella’s reaction to anything.’ Mollie paused, as if debating whether to tell him something. Biting his lip, Noah waited.
‘Bella’s not had an easy life, Noah. Since she left home, and apart from very recently when she’s been living with her friend, she’s never had the security of a permanent place to live for more than a few months at a time.
If you’re offering her something now, be very sure that you’re not going to suddenly take it from her again. ’
‘I can’t guarantee how long it’ll take,’ Noah replied, ‘but, knowing the market as I do, it could be a while.’
‘Well, all you can do is put it to her.’ Mollie rose from her chair, signalling that their meeting had come to a close. ‘Best of luck, Noah. I hope it does work out, for your sake, and Monty’s.’
‘Thanks, Mollie.’ Noah glanced at his watch. ‘Um, can I pop in and see the old bugger while I’m here?’
Mollie smiled. ‘Of course. Bella’s around somewhere, too, if you want to talk things over with her.’
‘Oh, I completely forgot she worked here on a Saturday morning,’ Noah replied.
Perhaps he’d get the chance to run his idea past her sooner than he’d expected.
He wasn’t seeing the foam contractor until midday, so it would be good to, hopefully, get things settled before then.
‘Can you give me a sec, Mollie? I need to get something from my car.’
‘Of course.’
A couple of minutes later, as he followed Mollie through the hallway towards the cattery, he ran through his thoughts again in his head.
He’d won Southeast Regional Salesman of the Year a couple of years back for his impressive numbers in the London area.
If he could sell houses to Londoners, how hard could it be to convince Bella of his plan?