Chapter Twelve
The following morning, I fairly bounced into work.
‘Aye, aye,’ said Lisa, noting the spring in my step. ‘Either you’ve received some good news, or you’ve had a one-night stand and released some sexual frustration.’
‘I am not sexually frustrated,’ I said, just as our boss stepped out of his office. He gave me a wary look while scooping up some paperwork from the printer. ‘Morning, Leslie,’ I chirped. ‘Er, I was just telling Lisa that I’m not extra frustrated.’
‘ Extra frustrated?’
‘Yes, as opposed to… ordinarily frustrated,’ I said lamely.
‘Right,’ he said beadily. ‘I know a good cure for that.’
‘Hands off Ronald,’ Lisa muttered.
‘Get logged on and do some work,’ said Leslie firmly.
Ouch.
‘On it,’ I said brightly as my boss made for his office.
I dumped my handbag and hastily switched on the computer.
‘Oh, and Leslie?’ I called after his rigid back. ‘How did yesterday’s viewing go?’ My boss turned and regarded me blankly. ‘Mr Soren?’ I prompted.
Leslie’s face cleared.
‘Ah, yes. Milo. He liked it. He’s going to discuss the matter with his son. Apparently, the son recently bust up with his girlfriend and has returned home to Dad.’
I wasn’t interested in Milo Soren’s son or any other sob story. I had my own to deal with.
‘So’ – my voice was hopeful – ‘there’s no offer on the table?’
‘Not yet,’ said Leslie. ‘Milo mentioned booking a second viewing and bringing his son along too.’
That could not be allowed.
‘In which case’ – I tapped in my password – ‘I’m officially making an offer on Starlight Cottage.’ Leslie rocked back on his heels in surprise. ‘I spoke to Robin last night,’ I explained. ‘He’s agreed to buy me out. Lock, stock and barrel.’
‘That’s fantastic!’ said Lisa, who’d been ear-wigging all along. ‘I’m so pleased for you, Tilly.’
‘Likewise,’ said Leslie cautiously. ‘But, um, sorry to remind you of the obvious. You still can’t proceed.’
‘Oh, but I can,’ I argued. ‘Especially if you give me permission to make one super-quick phone call to my solicitor. I can give her the update and get the ball rolling.’
Leslie sighed.
‘By all means,’ he said. ‘But if Mr Soren – or anyone else for that matter – puts in an offer and is able to immediately proceed’ – he shrugged – ‘you know how this system works, Tilly.’
‘Yes, yes,’ I said, flapping a hand. I was not entertaining that scenario. ‘May the best man win, and all that.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Meanwhile, please tell Mr Garroway that I’m offering the full asking price and that I’d like to buy the cottage fully furnished – if he’s amenable to that. If so, ask him to give me a contents figure. You never know, he might be prepared to wait for me. Especially if other prospective buyers want to try and batter down the asking price.’
‘There’s an outside chance of that happening,’ Leslie agreed. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, some of us have work to do,’ he added pointedly.
‘Me to,’ I promised, as my work phone began to ring. ‘Just as soon as I’ve spoken to my solicitor.’ I grabbed my mobile and gave Leslie an apologetic look, inwardly cringing as the landline continued to ring unanswered.
Leslie sighed and glanced at Lisa.
‘Take that call, please,’ he said.
Lisa immediately obliged, putting on her most seductive telephone voice. Anyone would think she was selling hot dates, not houses.
‘Right,’ said Leslie, as I located my solicitor’s telephone number. ‘I’ll call Mr Garroway now. Let him know you’re in the frame.’
I paused.
‘Or I could do it?’ I quickly suggested.
‘I don’t think that would be ethical, Tilly, given that you’re an employee of the same estate agency Mr Garroway is using.’
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ I said, not quite meeting Leslie’s eye.
‘Let’s keep things businesslike and above board, eh?’ said Leslie, giving me a I know your game look.
‘Don’t you trust me?’ I said innocently.
‘Not one little bit,’ he said sternly, but he gave me a wink before returning to his office.
Wise man, my boss. A very wise man indeed.