Chapter Four
The plot of land is exactly what I need, but it’s coming at a price.
Maybe a price I can’t reach. I’ve been number-crunching for three days now, trying to get the numbers to work.
Exasperated, I drop my pen. I’m going to have to ask Ivan if he wants to do this with me.
I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. My phone rings—my sister.
“Hey, Bridie, this is a surprise.” I chuckle, knowing she’s going to reprimand me for the nickname.
“Don’t call me that.” She laughs but then goes quiet.
“What’s wrong? Is everyone okay?” She’s never quiet. Something must have happened.
“Nothing, and yes, everyone is good. Look, I’m going to get to the point. I said I’d rent your place, and I am grateful for it, but Mike and I want to go travelling. We’ve been saving for ages, and we now have enough to last us.”
“That’s great. When do you leave?” Bells are jangling in my head as I realise what this means.
“Really? You don’t mind? I mean, I can find someone else to rent it if you’d like.” She sounds relieved as if I was going to give her shit.
“No, you don’t need to do that. It’s fine. Can we get together before you go?”
“Um, not really. We leave for Melbourne on Monday,” she says sheepishly.
“It’s a good job I don’t mind, then, isn’t it? Go have a great time, and, Bridget, send me postcards.”
We say goodbye. This is the answer to my problems. I can sell my flat and release the equity for the land here.
The next few days are anything but relaxing. I drive back to my flat to get it ready for selling. I look around the empty rooms and grimace.
“I’m going to have to get it painted throughout,” I say to my dad. He’s been a great help and will probably offer to do it himself, but I’m not going to put him through all the hassle. “And before you say anything, I’m getting a painter and decorator in.”
He chuckles. “Good, because I wasn’t going to offer. I’m too old to be up and down a ladder all day. I know of a great decorator. She did Tom and Lucy’s place.”
I know how fussy my brother’s wife is, and if she liked her, then I’m happy with that. Although I doubt she’ll be able to do anything quickly. Not if she’s as good as my dad says she is.
“I’ll give Lucy a ring and get her number.” My dad calls her.
Luck is on my side. The decorator has had a cancellation and will come around to assess the flat and give me a quote.
Even though I’m rushed off my feet, my mind strays back to Trent. I’m kicking myself for not taking his number. He probably thinks I was just messing with him, that I didn’t mean what I said. Which is so far from the truth. I can’t get the beautiful man out of my head.
At last, I’m on my way home. The flat will be listed this weekend, and the agent doesn’t think it will take long to sell, although I’m sure she says that to everyone.
The road into Calston Cove is busy with holidaymakers, and the traffic slows to a crawl. As I turn off the main road and take the narrow lane that only locals know about, my phone rings. The call connects to my Bluetooth, and a voice I don’t recognise says hello.
“Mr Andrews?”
“Yes, how can I help you?” I slow down to manoeuvre a tight bend in the road.
“It’s Ian from Forrests Estate Agents. I have an offer for you on your property.”
“You’re kidding me? It only went on the market yesterday.”
“I think my colleague mentioned it would be quick. I have a client waiting for a flat just like yours.”
I let him talk shop as I make it to the little house I rent. “What’s the offer, Ian?”
“Oh, yes, of course, sorry. It’s the full asking price.”
Bloody hell, I even chose a higher evaluation so I could get as much equity as possible. “Then I accept. Thank you very much, Ian. You’ve made my day.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll be in touch with you shortly. Have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.”
The call ends, and I can’t keep the grin off my face.
I can get in touch with the vendor and make an offer on the land.
When I get to the T-junction at the end of the road, I turn right instead of left and drive towards Merrick and Drew’s place.
With my flat sold for the asking price, I can buy the plot on my own.
I’ll only need to borrow a bit from the bank for the new house.
The amount depends on Drew’s charges to rebuild.
I’m not even sure if he’s in, but it’s worth a try. Luckily, both cars are parked in front of the house. I knock, and half a minute later, the door opens.
“Merlin, it’s good to see you.” Merrick moves aside to let me in. “I’m guessing you want a word with Drew. He’s in the garden with Willow. She’s teaching him how to make sandcastles.”
“You know there’s a beach less than a mile away, don’t you?
You didn’t need to have a sandpit in the garden.
” I know exactly what the play area is like in the garden; I designed it.
The wooden fort climbing frame, with a swing and every other important playground activity a girl could wish for, takes up a fair amount of garden.
But as she’s the most important person in both of their lives, they would give her the moon if she asked for it.
He laughs and leads me through the house and out the French doors in the kitchen. “Is this business or pleasure?” Merrick asks as we step onto the large, decked patio.
“It’s both, I think. I sold my flat this morning.”
“Wow, that’s great news and so fast too.”
Drew looks up from the edge of the sandpit. “Hey, you’re back.”
He says something to Willow, then steps out of the wooden enclosure. I give him the good news and what I want to do next. Has the land been listed yet? Drew seems to get the inside scoop on everything in the town.
We go back inside, leaving Merrick with Willow.
I let Drew call the owners, whom he’s known for years.
Honestly, he has the gift of the gab and could sell sand to the Saudis.
I pace the large living room, trying not to listen in.
I’ve given him the highest I can go, but he’s going to go in with a low figure and work up.
Merrick is in the kitchen, and I join him.
He holds up the kettle. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please, that would be great.” I pull out one of the stools and sit down, needing to calm my nerves. “Have you seen much of Trent this week?”
“Only a couple of times. We had lunch. He’s okay, chilling out and enjoying the sunshine. Why do you ask? Ooh, do you like him?”
“Um, maybe. Is that going to be a problem?” Will Merrick mind if I want to see where things can go with his friend?
“Of course not. Trent’s a great guy. But remember, he’s only here for the summer. Don’t get too involved. I’d hate to see either of you get hurt.”
He’s right. I’d forgotten about that. I thought that he’d made such an effort to be here that he was planning to stay. But he’s so gorgeous I don’t think I can stay away. The way he shivered when I’d only whispered in his ear has kept my spank bank full all week.
Before I can comment, Drew comes in, the look on his face one of disappointment. Oh well, there goes my dream. It’s not the end of the world. I can carry on as I am.
Then he bloody smiles a shit-eating grin. “You got it! They accepted your offer.”
“You little…” I stop before I say a swear word. Willow has very good ears when she wants to. “Why did you do that?” I laugh. “What price?”
“They accepted the first offer. I think they just wanted it off their hands. So congratulations, you have your land.”
“Thank you so much for doing this for me. We should go out for a drink tonight.”
Drew looks at Merrick, who nods.
“Great!” I fist-pump the air. “I can’t believe this is going to happen. Thank you so much, Drew. This is incredible, a lifelong dream come true.”
I leave them to their day. Maybe I can meet up with Trent.
With a huge grin, I head to the little cottage by the dunes.
Does he wonder why I haven’t sought him out?
Merrick probably told him. Unless Trent didn’t tell him we met.
Merrick looked surprised when I mentioned him, so maybe I’m right.
There’s an interesting story behind Trent, and I look forward to finding it out.
But when I knock on the door, there’s no answer.
Part of the excitement and joy over buying the land ebbs away.