Chapter 45
45
The estate agent arrived the next morning. He walked around everywhere, making notes, and seemed to be taking a long time.
‘It’s very old-fashioned, as you must be aware. The bathroom needs updating, it needs central heating, and could do with new windows. I’ll work out some figures and message you within the hour with what I think is a reasonable price,’ he told her.
Dee waited eagerly for his message, trying to imagine herself living here. She walked around the cottage, assessing every room and what needed doing. The estate agent was right, the cottage did need a lot of money spent on it. Even if she could afford to buy Primrose Cottage, would she have enough funds for all the work it needed?
When the estate agent finally messaged Dee with the price she was delighted to see that she could afford it from her divorce settlement. They’d received Nigel’s financial disclosure now and her solicitor had told her what figure to expect. It was enough to pay for the cottage but what about all the alterations she needed to make. Should she go for it or look for something cheaper?
She was still deep in thought when she went to meet Kenny later that afternoon. Gordon had contacted Kenny to say that he’d thought about the affordable housing for locals scheme and it was something he was really interested in and wanted to discuss it with them further. They arranged the meeting for today as it was Dee’s day off from the café this week. Gordon had wanted them to meet him at the site this time and asked them to wear sensible shoes. He greeted them wearing a hi-vis jacket, hard hat and boots, and gave them both a hard hat and hi-vis jacket to wear. ‘Safety precautions,’ he said.
The site was a hive of activity and a block of apartments had already been built but still needed decorating and appliances installed. ‘This is the one Glenn will be living in,’ Gordon said. ‘Whilst he’s caretaker the rent will be heavily subsided, but the flat is his for as long as he likes. The rest of this block will be affordable housing. Anyone who lives in Port Telwyn, or was born here and would like to move back, will be able to apply for one of these. There will be fifty homes.’ He mentioned the rent and Dee and Kenny both gaped.
‘That’s very generous,’ Kenny said.
They were both impressed as Gordon showed them around the site, pointing out where various things were going to be.
‘It’s going to be amazing,’ Dee said.
‘I’m glad you think so,’ Gordon said with a smile.
As Kenny went off to look around the gardens, Gordon called Dee back. ‘I wanted to talk to you alone. Keep this between ourselves but I’d also like to offer you one of the apartments at a discount, for old times’ sake.’ He mentioned a price that was definitely within her price range. ‘It’s not one of the affordable apartments for the locals so if you ever go on to sell the apartment there will be a clause that the discounted amount is to be repaid to me,’ he said. He handed her his card. ‘Think about it and call me if you’re interested.’
Dee was gobsmacked. Two offers of a permanent home within a few days. What should she do? She loved Edna’s cottage but it did need a lot done to it, whereas the apartments were modern and spacious, and Gordon had told her that one would be ready to move into within a month. Imagine living here, waking up to the beautiful sea view every morning.
Then she thought of Edna’s cottage. It had so much character and was right in the centre of the village. She felt so at home there. And it was Snowy’s home. She adored the little cat. Would they both be happy in an apartment?
She was genuinely torn.
‘You’ve gone quiet,’ Kenny said as they walked home.
She considered telling him about Gordon’s offer but then that would be asking him to keep the secret too. Her mother had always said if you want to keep something a secret, then tell no one. Kenny had entrusted her with his secret, she remembered, when Gordon had first approached him offering to donate some money to the Artists’ Studios.
What would the others make of Gordon’s offer? Would they resent it?
‘Look, I don’t want to pressure you, if you don’t want to talk about it, but if there is something on your mind and you’d like to offload, I promise you that it won’t go any further.’
Dee bit her lip. She really would like a second opinion and she trusted Kenny. ‘Gordon asked me to keep it between ourselves but I really would like someone to talk to.’ She told Kenny about the offer of the apartment, and the repayment clause. ‘It’s a fantastic offer, and the apartments are beautiful…’
‘Do I sense a “but”?’
‘Edna is also selling up and staying with her sister in Brean. She’s offered me first refusal on her cottage.’
Kenny thrust his hands in his pockets and whistled. ‘Wow, two home offers!’
‘I know! And now I don’t know what to decide. The apartment will be ready in a few weeks. And Edna said that even if I don’t want to buy the cottage, I can stay there until it’s sold.’ She shook her head. ‘I really don’t know what to do.’
Kenny turned and looked over at the sea. She followed his gaze and they both stood there thinking for a while. Then Kenny turned back to her. ‘Dee, you have no one to answer to but yourself, so my advice is to choose whatever will make you most happy. Which home would you be happiest to wake up in, or snuggle up in on winter evenings? Which one does your heart lie in?’