The Flat on the 7th Floor
Page 3
Josie waved back. I’ll try, she thought, before heading home.
Chapter 4
Josie worked by appointment only on Saturdays. She didn’t mind as she didn’t have much else to do, and the extra money was always nice.
If she felt like it, she would go to the gym at about eleven or stay in to enjoy a long lie-in and potter around before making brunch. This Saturday she was booked to meet Michael for the viewing at ten in the morning.
She wasn’t looking forward to it and had felt like cancelling at the last minute. She was irritated with herself that she felt apprehensive and didn’t know why.
I’ll ignore it for now and deal with it when I know what it is, she thought as she got up out of bed to get ready.
Whitefield was a recently built housing development that had been designed with commuters in mind. It was a short drive from the motorway, saving time on travelling, while having a countryside feel to it.
It was still surrounded by fields that had been protected as farmland. For now, anyway.
The development contained mainly three-bedroom houses designed for families with cars and the money to be close to the city without needing public transport. Josie knew that because it was further out of the city it was harder to get to by walking and cycling. Because of the need to have a car, the pricing bands were set a considerable way above the average. Josie was proved right by the cars on the driveways sporting the insignias of brand, style and horsepower to match.
Nestled in between the detached, three-bedroom houses, were also some four- and five-bedroom homes. The fourth and fifth bedrooms were more likely to be used as offices or playrooms.
Michael wanted a four-bedroom house, but the reason for this was still a mystery. He hadn’t answered any of Josie’s usual questions, but he seemed very certain about what kind of property he was looking for.
Maybe I’ll find that out today, Josie thought, as she pulled up outside and parked on the driveway.
Josie was ten minutes early, as she always left some contingency time in case of traffic or getting lost.
As she had some spare time before the appointment, Josie took her tablet out of her bag and refreshed her memory on the property details. It had been on the rental market for six weeks, which was a long time in the current market.
The house was brand new and hadn’t yet had any tenants. The property owner had been overly picky when vetting applications and there hadn’t been even a close acceptance yet.
Josie checked the floor plan to refresh her memory. There was a hall entrance, which led to the reception room on the left and the stairs to the first floor on the right, with a cloakroom toilet under the stairs and an open plan living room, kitchen and conservatory at the end.
The first floor had one bedroom with an en suite bathroom, a standard bedroom and a small box room as well as a full bathroom with a shower and bath.
Up the next flight of stairs, there was a large landing and the master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and shower.
The garden was spacious and full of protected trees due to the wildlife that lived there.
Finally, there was a two-car garage. The house was set up for a large family in need of two cars; however, it could be used by a couple who were home workers, and who needed an office each and perhaps an entertainment room.
Josie’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up beside her. The 4x4 was huge and the blacked-out windows made it look even more intimidating.
Does he work in security? Josie wondered, trying to push away any sinister thoughts.
Her paranoia was short lived, as Michael walked up to the front door, not realising that Josie was still in her car. As she stepped out and closed the driver’s door behind her, she took the house keys out of her pocket.
She approached the porch area where Michael was now waiting. “Good morning Michael,” she said.
“Hello, let’s get on with this as I have somewhere to be in fifteen minutes.”
He pushed the door expecting it to be open already. Taken aback, Josie fumbled with the keys and dropped them by his feet.
“Oops,” she said, as she scrambled to pick them up as quickly as she could.
Of all the times, she thought to herself as she finally managed to put the key in the lock and invited Michael to go in first.
She followed him closely and switched on the hall light, which illuminated the space, in contrast with the darkening sky.
Josie started to say, “In here you can see…” before she was rudely interrupted.
“I can see what the house looks like. I don’t need a full commentary.” His words echoed around the magnolia room.
Josie could hardly believe his rudeness. Taken aback, she mumbled, “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be waiting here in the kitchen.”
He nodded and started to go up the stairs.
Josie wondered for a minute if she had made the right choice in letting him look around without her.
She didn’t have to think long, as he came back downstairs within a few minutes and declared, “I’ve seen all I need to see, and I’ll let you know my decision by Monday morning.”
Josie knew that his statement of fact meant there was nothing she could add that would make any difference to his decision. Walking with him towards the door, she tried not to sound curt, “Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you on Monday.”
He nodded and silently got in behind the wheel of his car and drove off.
What happened there? Josie thought. She realised she had been holding her breath when she let out a pent-up sigh.
What is it about that guy? She turned back to the house and had a quick look at each room to make sure there was nothing out of place.
A window was slightly open on the first floor at the front. She went over to check if it was just on the latch for ventilation, but it was fully open. For a fleeting second, she wondered if Michael might have opened it.
But why? More than likely, it was from when the room was repainted a week or so ago.
Nothing else was out of place, so she locked up and got back into the car, putting everything on the passenger seat. Her phone was peeking out the side pocket of her handbag and she saw it flash.
Picking it up before starting the engine, she unlocked it with her thumb, bringing the screen to life. There was a call from a withheld number. The voicemail message icon indicated someone had been kind enough to leave a message so she could follow it up. Josie checked the time and clicked the ‘call’ button.
“Josie,” the message started, “It’s Mr Mellors. We’re having a meeting at the house tomorrow at three and I would like you to be there. See you tomorrow.”
The message beeped, and Josie was taken aback for the second time that morning.
She bristled at being told what to do and where to be.
Not even a ‘hello’ or ‘hope you are well’. And I might have something to do tomorrow.
Josie didn’t like being summoned to her father’s meetings, but there was no getting away from it, even if she did have other plans, which, conveniently, she didn’t.
Feeling uncertain, Josie travelled back home after completing her shortest appointment ever.
With no other plans for the afternoon, Josie got busy with her housework. Prior to moving in to her mother’s old flat, she had not known of its existence.
It had been a surreal experience for Josie, when she first entered the flat. It had been emptied of nearly all her mum’s belongings, but she could still feel her presence.
Josie was told that her mum had died in a fire and that she and her father had been happily married before the accident. It wasn’t until after the funeral that Josie found out that her mum had owned the flat throughout their marriage. It was a shock to say the least.
None of her questions were answered to any degree of satisfaction. Josie felt her childhood and early adulthood had been a lie but didn’t know by how much or for how long.
Why that meant her father wouldn’t help her in any way she didn’t know, but that’s the way it was.
Josie recalled the day she learnt that her mum had passed away.
Josie was twenty at the time and at university. Her mum was supportive of her going to university and regularly reminded her that work experience and education went hand in hand.
Her father, she recalled, was insistent that she studied for as much education as possible and preferred her to leave home for the experience.
Josie’s mum worked as a seamstress in her early years and had worked her way up in the fashion industry by working hard and taking those ‘little opportunities’ that others didn’t see as ‘worth it’, or didn’t see at all. Josie’s mum was kind too and was the type of person who would connect with anyone. Josie remembered the advice her mum told her as a young child. She would wave her hand like a magic wand and say, “The secret to being lucky, is no secret at all…it’s a formula that works for everyone if they desire…” She placed one finger in the air.
“One – always do your best. Two – do the work needed to get the job done. Three – believe that you can find a way, even when it looks like there is no hope. Four – try new things, even if you don’t succeed you will learn from them. Five – smile!”
Josie remembered laughing with her mum and pulling silly faces.
When she received the call from Mr Mellors informing her that her mum had passed away, Josie had recalled all the ‘silly things’ her mum had told her again and again, to get through the sadness.
Even now, five years later, her mum’s reassuring voice came back to her when she needed to be strong. Josie knew that losing a parent at any age was tragic. Losing her mum deeply affected her and how she lived her life. She would own nothing if it wasn’t for her mum’s kindness in allowing her to live in her flat.
The kettle whistled, summoning Josie to turn off the gas ring. She took a mug off the rack and made herself a green tea with lemon.
A book on the countertop glared at her accusingly because it had been ignored for at least a week. Josie smiled whenever she imagined objects having feelings and speaking to her. Nevertheless, the book was right, and she picked it up and took it over to the reading bench by the window.
The wide panel window area had two sides and a back, like a sofa wedged in the gap. It had enough space for her to sit with her legs straight or curled underneath her while leaning into the armrest.
A huge, mustard yellow cushion squashed in the corner held its shape as Josie nestled into it. The window ledge at the back conveniently held two coasters where she placed her mug when turning the pages of the now ‘happy’ book. Josie, however comfortable, still felt irritable. She went to the kitchen for a biscuit, or three, and sat back down exasperated, “What am I going to do?”
The uncertainty of the morning’s appointment coupled with not knowing what her father wanted her to come to the house for, brought Josie into a state of decision anxiety that even biscuits couldn’t cure.
The silence was broken by the sound of the letterbox opening and an envelope dropping onto the mat below.
Josie went over to see what could have arrived at this time of day as the post had already been delivered.
She picked up the envelope, which had her name handwritten on the front. She didn’t recognise the handwriting and the envelope flap was already open. She turned it over and slipped the pearl cream postcard out and started to read.
Dear Josie,
I can’t wait to take you out to Jacques.
I’ll meet you in reception at eight.
Yours,
Nicholas
Josie’s butterflies returned as she wondered how Nicholas could have known which flat she lived in. Derek wouldn’t tell him, would he? She didn’t dwell on the question for too long as she had to get ready.
Chapter 5
The bath was piping hot as Josie slipped her feet in shortly after five thirty. With two hours to get ready, she could afford at least half an hour to soak the confusion of the day away before getting glammed up. Her mum’s voice echoed in her mind as she picked up the razor and removed the stray hairs that had grown on her legs since her last waxing. She could imagine her mother’s disapproving look, as she would say, “If you don’t shave your legs, he won’t be allowed to stay for the night”. Josie knew that her mum was right and that she wouldn’t let him sleep over if she had hairy legs.
I’m not inviting him over, but I might as well feel good anyway.
She decided in advance she wouldn’t invite him in, but she couldn’t help thinking about how she would feel if they kissed that night. A smile formed on her lips at the thought, and she bit her fingernail.
Josie loved having a wide selection of dresses to choose from and her dressing table was full of numerous accessories to compliment them. She enjoyed going out and had appropriate outfits for every occasion. As she browsed through the hangers, Josie selected a sleeveless, navy blue dress with a fitted waist and skirt that flared around the knees.
She didn’t like how that one looked, so her next selection was a lime green, full-length dress, which had a low cut back and front.
Still not happy, she finally pulled out her little black dress with diamantes placed carefully to make it stand out when the lights were turned down low. For dinner at Jacques, she would have to wear the best dress she owned and compliment her outfit with the diamond jewellery set she bought a few months ago after receiving a bonus at work. The diners at Jacques would know the difference and Josie needed to live up to what was expected.
Diamonds are forever, she had convinced herself, even though she rarely had an occasion to wear them.
Having no money at the end of the month was becoming a problem though.
With her hair dried and straightened, Josie was able to concentrate on her makeup. She loved makeup. It was her secret to extra confidence. People had told her she was pretty, but a bit of lip liner here and a touch of mascara there could work wonders. Done! She looked at herself in the mirror for the final time and moved across to the bed to slip her dress over her head. Next, she put her shoes on and walked across to the window seat to check her phone. Kim had messaged.
“Sorry you can’t make it to Gareth’s party. Would have been fun. Hope you have a good night at Jacques. You kept that quiet!”
She switched over to Gareth’s number and messaged him “Happy Birthday”.
She felt guilty for not telling Kim about Nicholas inviting her out, and also for sharing too much information when declining Gareth’s invitation. In other circumstances, Josie would have enjoyed the party and she felt a fleeting sense of regret at missing out.
Josie looked at her watch and with only a few minutes to spare, she didn’t have time to dwell on what she would be missing out on. Josie did a last-minute check around the room to make sure she had everything and then made her way out to the hall and downstairs to meet Nicholas in the reception area.
Nicholas was waiting for her. He was wearing a crisp, sky-blue shirt underneath his black dinner jacket, which accentuated his physique.
His trousers were slim fitting but not too narrow at the bottom so she could see he had smart boots that tucked in seamlessly under the hems.
He had a welcoming smile that set her heart alight as he came over and offered her his arm.
Nicholas smiled down at her and said, “You look beautiful Josie.”
“Thank you, so do you…I mean you look great,” Josie stumbled over her words.
Josie was glad she had opted for a black dress as it went well with what Nicholas was wearing.
She felt her confidence rise and as he looke
d over at her again and she saw his eyes linger on the parts she guessed that he admired most.
Josie made sure she was subtle as she looked at him from the corner of her eye as they walked out of the building. She had an old feeling as if she was being watched by someone but didn’t see anyone else when she looked around.
The drive to Jacques was thrilling. Nicholas had a sports car, and it seemed to move effortlessly at the slightest touch of the accelerator. Josie felt the cream leather seats cushioning the small of her back as they weaved between the other cars on the road as the sun was setting. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been driven around and relished every moment as they drove through villages and countryside.
Nicholas reclined back with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand resting on the door as he tapped his fingers to the music in the background. He looked relaxed and in control.
Josie glanced over towards him, tilted her head back, closed her eyes and smiled. She imagined for a fleeting second what it would be like to put her hand on his thigh, feeling him move underneath her fingers as he changed gears.
Maybe later, she told herself and opened her eyes to see Nicholas turn towards her, smiling.
“Nearly there. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” Josie replied, remembering she had only eaten a few biscuits earlier.
At least my dress still fits.
She placed her hands on her stomach, smoothing the material down. She re-adjusted her dress around her thighs, as it had started to inch further up from her knees.
Had he noticed? Josie thought as she caught him looking.
They arrived at Jacques just before eight thirty. Nicholas had a reserved parking space close to the entrance. Josie suddenly felt nervous.
She was at the most expensive restaurant in the area with a stranger who had a reserved parking space!
What have I got myself into? Josie thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Nicholas placed his hand on her back and guided her towards the restaurant entrance.