Chapter 1
Every one of my friends and my family think I’m crazy to move away, and to a little coastal town of all places.
But I’ve had enough of the busy city. I want to get my hands dirty, be outside and not have to breathe in air-conditioned air and work under bright LED lighting.
I’ve spent too many hours staring at a computer screen to basically line the pockets of people who already have more than they will ever need.
“I give it a year,” my brother Tom says at my farewell party. I love how supportive they all are. Not.
“No way, six months. No one wants to be in a no-nothing town for longer than a long weekend. You’ll get bored.” My best friend, Alex, downs another pint.
“Plus, these kinds of places are bound to be full of cute hetero families. You’ll never get any dick down there. It will be far too strait-laced,” Tom cuts in again.
“I’ll be fine, and if I’m not, I’ll let you do the I-told-you-so dance.”
They chug down more beer and cheer when they finish.
They are going to have some very sore heads and ugly hangovers. Not me. I’m leaving in the morning. I’ve traded my sleek two-seater sports car for a Land Rover Defender.
My one concession to keep my mother happy was not to sell my flat and let my sister stay there. “Just in case,” she said. “I believe you will make it work, but you’ll have a safe place to return to if you need it.”
When the rugby songs start up, I slip out of the pub. They won’t even notice I’ve gone.
My new work phone rings, surprising me. I’ve put up posters and handed out leaflets advertising my new gardening business, but I hadn’t expected any calls yet. I’d prepared myself for the orders to be slim pickings this late in the year.
“Hello, Andrews Gardening Services.”
“Hi, my name’s Merrick Green. I need some garden clearance work done. Is that something you do?”
Happiness bubbles inside me. “Absolutely, yes. I can do that.”
“Can you come over and assess the work needed and a timescale?” he asks, his soft voice more from where I come from than the gentle Devon accent of the locals.
“I can come over today. If that’s convenient for you?” Maybe I sound eager, but that’s because I am.
“That would be perfect. Can you make it around one, one thirty? It’s the mill house just outside of town.”
“I’ll see you at one, Mr Green.”
“Call me Merrick, and I’ll see you soon.” He sounds relieved. How much needs to be done there?
Word of mouth really does matter in this little town.
I quickly understood that working on Merrick and Drew’s newly renovated house did me one of the biggest favours.
The two men are well respected in the community, and their approval of my work was a seal of endorsement. I haven’t been out of work since then.
As I walk away from the prettiest man I’ve seen in a long time, I whistle. If he’s here for the summer, we’re bound to come across each other. Hmm, Trent. What’s brought him to Calston Cove?
I carry on. Drew said he has something to show me, but he’ll need to take Willow to Merrick first. I was surprised to discover they were a couple and more so by the acceptance of the community. I didn’t have to worry about being openly gay here the way I thought I might.
I catch up with them in front of the gallery. “Hi, Drew,” I greet him, then turn my attention to the little girl who’s positively vibrating next to Drew. “Hello, Willow. You look very pretty today.”
“’Lo, Merlin, my always pwetty,” she says with the confidence of a well-loved child.
“You sure are.” I look at Drew, who rolls his eyes.
Drew picks up Willow and blows a raspberry on her neck, making her shriek. “Let’s go find your papa.”
The office door opens, and after a quick chat, we leave Willow with Merrick.
“Have fun.” Merrick takes Willow back to his office.
We get into Drew’s truck, and he starts the engine. “I’m not sure what you’re going to think of this, but I think it has masses of potential.”
I’ve been on the lookout for a property with a house and enough land for me to build a nursery as a sideline to the landscaping. Drew knows everyone in this town, which includes the people in the planning department of the local council.
“You’ll have more than an interest after I’ve walked you through it.” Drew glances over at me. “I know you’re going to want it.”
Drew turns into a single-lane road that’s so overgrown in places the hedgerow scratches against the windows of the truck. “It’s a good job you know how to sort this.”
“If this turns out to be the place, Drew. Don’t jinx it.
” I don’t want to get my hopes up too much.
It sounds too good to be true. Just over three acres of land, with a small bungalow set back by the trees.
All completely overgrown and derelict. The place hasn’t been inhabited for over ten years since the elderly owner passed away.
I leave Drew and wander around by myself, trying to envisage the layout underneath the mess. When I get to the bungalow, Drew joins me. The building seems to be held up by weeds and cobwebs. What little glass is left in the windows is surrounded by rotten frames, crumbling wood that is powder dry.
All the excitement drains out of me. This place is beyond saving. Hell, a strong wind would knock it down. I look back at the lot, shaking my head. “This is hopeless.”
“I know it looks like it, but it’s not. This house”—he raps on the brick wall—“can be knocked down, and you can build from the ground up. The land needs your heavy-duty ride-on mower. You’ve gotta look past the state of it.
It’s perfect. I bet you could get a static caravan during the construction.
The place has water and electricity. It just needs reconnecting. ”
The building contractor side of Drew is out in full force, and of course he’s right. He can see beyond the current state of the property.
“And for the price, you’re getting a gem. You know I’m on board to help you.” He reiterates his earlier promise to help me. “Another bonus is that no one else knows it’s up for sale yet. Not even Stacey, and my sister is the nosiest estate agent around.”
“Do you think I can get it for any less?” Even though the place is derelict, it’s still a lot of money.
On the other hand, it would be an investment for my future and the life I want to lead.
Would Ivan be interested in coming in on it?
He’s settled down so much in the last year, thanks to Brodie and Milo.
“Honestly? No. Land in this town is like hen’s teeth. It will be snatched up from under you before you can blink.”
“Okay.” Fear and excitement war inside me. As I look around again, excitement wins.
“Good man, because if you hadn’t taken it, I would’ve, and Merrick would have my guts for garters.”
And just like that, I’m looking at my future.