Chapter Thirty-Seven
‘So, you’re absolutely sure you want to go ahead with the sale?’
Leslie brought me back to the present with a jolt.
‘I’m sure,’ I said. ‘Although, as you pointed out, I’m a little anxious about prospective viewers asking any awkward questions.
You know, about Peter passing away on the premises.
I’m missing him terribly,’ I fibbed. ‘Things are still very… raw.’ I gulped, amazed at the lies that tripped so glibly off my tongue.
‘After all, I’ve only just scattered my husband’s ashes.
No’ – I quickly pre-empted Leslie’s question – ‘not here.’
‘Good to know,’ he said, looking relieved.
‘Tell you what, Jen. I’d like to make a suggestion.
Please don’t feel obliged but… what about you absent yourself from the viewings all together?
Let the agency do them on your behalf. That way you can bypass any questions about Peter’s demise.
Home and Hearth will simply say natural causes if asked. ’
‘That would be most agreeable,’ I said. ‘You’re very understanding, Leslie.’
‘An absolute pleasure,’ he said, struggling to his feet.
There was a moment where the sofa seemed to have claimed his bottom within its sagging depths. After a bit of a struggle, his backside emerged. Leslie smoothed down his trousers, the hems of which had adhered to his calves, showcasing the bright red socks.
‘Thank you so much for your time,’ I said, following him out to the entrance.
‘We’ll soon have the ball rolling,’ he assured, shaking my hand.
I shut the door after him, then momentarily leant against the panels.
‘So, Peter,’ I said, addressing the air. ‘Hopefully I won’t be at Moonlight Manor for much longer. God willing.’
I heaved a sigh and, as I exhaled, it seemed as though all the static of recent weeks – indeed years – left my body on the outbreath. And, boy, it felt good.
Feeling lighter than I had in a long time, I went back to the snug, retrieved my phone, then sat down again. Via the WhatsApp family group chat, I tapped out a message to the twins.
Hey, kiddoes. Call me later. Nothing to panic about! Just some news xx
Joy must have been on a study break, because she immediately replied.
You’ve met someone, had a whirlwind romance, and you’re now pregnant?
I tutted and smiled to myself.
You’re so funny. Not!
Clearly James was not in a lecture either. His reply popped up next.
Joy, I think you’re OVARY reacting.
My fingers raced over the screen’s keypad.
Guys, can we be serious, please?
Suddenly my phone burst into life, the screen split into two, and my children’s faces appeared.
‘You can’t message with a one-line teaser and then expect us to go off to our lectures,’ said Joy. ‘I, for one, am now bursting with curiosity.’
‘Me too,’ said James, flashing me one of his endearingly cheeky grins.
‘Okay,’ I said, taking a deep breath. ‘I hope neither of you will mind too much but…’
‘Go on,’ James prompted.
‘Get on with it!’ Joy urged.
‘Don’t tell me off…’
‘We won’t,’ they chorused.
‘Okay. I’ve put the house on the market.’ There. I’d said it. ‘And I hope neither of you are cross with me, but I really-’
‘Cross?’ James interrupted. ‘Mum, I’m bloody delighted.’
‘Me too,’ said Joy.
‘Really?’ I asked, heaving a sigh of relief. ‘You see, I really don’t want to carry on living here. The house is too big and-’
‘Mum, you don’t have to explain anything,’ said Joy gently.
‘It’s full of too many memories,’ said James. The mischievous grin had morphed into a grimace. ‘None of them particularly pleasant.’
‘Well, quite,’ I agreed.
‘Sell it,’ said Joyce firmly. ‘And make sure you get shedloads of money for it.’
‘And give some to Yours Truly,’ said James, recovering his humour. ‘I quite fancy a student bachelor pad. Just think of all the girls I could pull.’
‘You do that anyway,’ said Joy. ‘Although how is a mystery. Your digs are a cesspit of smelly socks and festering underpants. Not to mention a stinking overflowing bin in the kitchen.’
‘Hark at you,’ James teased. ‘When I last visited your place, your bathroom was full of dripping tights.’
‘Kids,’ I interrupted. ‘Can we stick to topic?’
‘We certainly can,’ Joy agreed. ‘So where are we moving to?’
‘Let’s go abroad,’ said James. ‘Australia. The beaches are meant to be amazing, and I’ve heard that the women have incredible bodies.’
‘For heaven’s sake, James,’ chided Joy. ‘Can we finish our degrees first? If you want to later clear off to Oz, be my guest. But be warned. Australia has the most enormous spiders.’
‘I don’t mind spiders,’ said James carelessly.
‘Really?’ Joy’s brows knitted together. ‘So why did you recently call me up and beg me to remove one from your bedroom?’
‘Because it was massive,’ said James, his eyes rounding. ‘It was at least the size of my hand.’
‘More like a five pence piece,’ Joy corrected. ‘Go look up Huntsman spiders if you really want to see something the size of your hand.’
‘Okay, forget Australia,’ said James. ‘What about Spain? All the girls have gorgeous brown eyes, and love to flash their’ – Joy gave her brother a warning look – ‘castanets,’ he said innocently. ‘What did you think I was going to say?’
‘To answer Joy’s original question’ – I interrupted – ‘I have no idea where to even start looking. But it won’t be abroad,’ I said firmly. ‘My heart belongs here. I like the unpredictability of British weather. Also, I don’t want to leave my friends.’
A pair of mesmerising green eyes sprang to mind. I quickly shut down the image. After our last disastrous meeting, a part of me hoped never to see Liam Lancaster again. The other part… well, the other part was desperately hoping to see him tomorrow at the much-anticipated fete.