Moving On (2011)

by Jacobs, Anna

  Someone cleared their throat and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  ‘Sorry, honey. Didn’t mean to startle you.’

  She turned to see an older woman with beautifully styled silver hair, wearing a skirt and top in a lovely dull rose colour that shrieked expensive. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you come in. I was just speaking to an old friend whose husband has died.’

  The woman’s face softened. ‘No wonder you looked sad.’

  ‘How may I help you?’

  ‘I’d like to look round the houses. Do you have a brochure, floor plans? Are any of the houses ready to occupy? To tell you the truth, I’m in urgent need of a home in England because if I have to live with my daughter-in-law for more than a few more days, I’ll strangle her. I’m Cindy Pavrovic, by the way. I’m American, but I reckon you’ll have figured that out the minute I opened my mouth.’

  Molly couldn’t help laughing. ‘Yes. I’m Molly Peel, one of the sales team, and I’d be happy to show you round.’ Pulling out her home-made sign, she set it up on the desk and led the way down to the houses.

  Cindy held up one hand just as Molly would have started talking about them. ‘Let’s look at them first time through and then I won’t waste your time if I’m not interested.’

  ‘Sounds like a good idea to me.’

  They went through the houses, with Cindy pausing now and then to study a room, or the outlook from a window. Then they stood outside at the back in the sunshine, looking down on the small lake just below the first row of dwellings. Molly waited for the other woman to speak.

  ‘They’re the best houses I’ve seen,’ Cindy said thoughtfully, ‘but houses in England are kind of small for what I want. I was thinking of something a little bigger and maybe more luxurious. At my age, I don’t stint on my comforts.’

  ‘Are you needing a holiday home?’

  ‘I suppose you could call it that, though I’d hope to spend quite a bit of time here. I want somewhere close to my youngest son and grandchildren, who live in England. Now that my husband’s dead, I’d like to see quite a bit more of them.’

  Molly thought rapidly. ‘Could you give me a moment? We do have another home, but I’m not sure if it’s available for inspection today.’

  ‘You go find out. I’ll look over the biggest house again.’

  Molly walked over to Euan’s house and rang the doorbell. When she explained about Cindy, he ran one hand through his hair, frowned, then said, ‘Show her round, but apologize for the state of the office and tell her I’ll have to go on working for a few more minutes or I’ll lose the thread.’

  ‘All right.’

  Cindy again wanted to look round in silence, so Molly explained that Euan was working, and as he didn’t even look up when they stood in the doorway, she didn’t introduce them.

  Afterwards they came down to the great room and Cindy studied it carefully, then went round every room on the ground floor again, taking her time. ‘This is the kind of place I want. Has someone already bought it? If not, I’d like to make an offer.’

  Euan came down the stairs to join them as she said this. ‘Sorry I didn’t speak to you before. I was at a crucial stage in a very important document. I’m the developer, Euan Santiago.’

  They shook hands and Molly couldn’t miss the open admiration on Cindy’s face. She forgot how attractive Euan was when she was with him, because he was just . . . Euan. But the way other women looked at him kept reminding her that he was rich and very good looking. She still couldn’t understand why such a man would fix his sights on her.

  Cindy came straight to the point. ‘Is this house for sale, Euan?’

  ‘I hadn’t planned to sell it yet. I’ve been living in it for convenience and using it to show people what we can do that’s a bit more upmarket.’

  ‘Then let me put it to you straight: I’ll pay any reasonable asking price if I can get into this house within a few days.’

  He stared at her, then chewed the corner of his lip thoughtfully. ‘OK. I think we might be able to do that, but the price will have to take into account the considerable inconvenience to me. Can you give me until tomorrow to sort out the details?’

  She grimaced and shook her head. ‘Could we say an hour? I’m desperate, Euan. If I don’t find something here, I’ll murder my daughter-in-law, so if this isn’t available, I’ll need to continue looking today. How about I go buy a coffee at that cute little hotel up the hill while you check out your options?’

  She turned to Molly. ‘Thank you for your help, honey, and for not filling my ears with facts when I wanted to look and feel the atmosphere. You’ve got yourself a good saleswoman here, Mr Santiago.’ She strolled up towards the hotel, turning a couple of times to look back at the development.

  Molly watched her go in amazement. ‘Whew! Talk about straight to the point. But I liked her. Are you really going to sell?’

  ‘Yes. That’s what we build them for, after all.’

  ‘I’ll move out of the caravan then, and let you move in. I’m sure I can find myself a flat nearby.’

  ‘Hmm. Let me lock up this place, then we can go and have a coffee in the sales office while we discuss details. We’ll hope no one else turns up for a while.’

  When they got there, he went straight to the coffee machine and poured them each a mugful.

  ‘I should be doing that.’

  He grinned as he handed her one. ‘You think this is below the boss’s dignity?’

  ‘My ex would never have done it for an employee.’

  ‘We’re already agreed that he’s a prime numero uno rat. Next time you speak to him, watch his whiskers twitch. They’re a dead giveaway.’

  She choked with laughter on her first mouthful.

  Euan went to sit at his desk, his smile fading. ‘I hate to lose a sale like that, a cash customer. But I don’t want to throw you out of the caravan.’

  Silence, then she surprised herself. ‘Why don’t we share it, then?’

  The words seemed to echo around her and he looked startled.

  ‘Well, you asked me to live with you yesterday.’ She waited, wishing he would say something.

  ‘Yes, but you didn’t exactly leap at the idea.’

  ‘I had to get used to it . . . and get used to . . . caring about you.’

  His face lit up with happiness and he tugged her up to twirl around the sales office. ‘And are you used to it now?’

  ‘You’re growing on me,’ she teased.

  He let go of her hand. ‘I accept your offer, then. I’m looking forward to it, and not just because of sharing a bed. I want to share a life again.’

  He spoke so openly and warmly, he disarmed her every time, and she felt as if the dark shadow Craig had cast over her life was getting fainter every day.

  ‘Now, I have to work out how much to charge her. She’s not getting it cheaply because it’s going to cause me considerable inconvenience – not so much because of moving out, thanks to you, but because of losing a special show home. I wonder if she’ll want to buy the furnishings as well? I hope so. Bring your chair over here and we’ll work on pricing it together.’

  Only after he’d gone striding up to the hotel to find Cindy did the doubts about her offer to live with him begin to creep back into Molly’s mind. Well, not exactly doubts. She did love him, how could she not, he was so easy to be with and so altogether gorgeous? But was it the right sort of love? Would it last? Wouldn’t a man like him want a prettier and younger wife?

  Only . . . he spoke so warmly of his dead wife that he must have had a successful marriage. Unlike her. Perhaps she wasn’t the sort to keep a man happy. Perhaps he too would grow tired of her, as Craig had.

  Oh, don’t be silly! she told herself. Love doesn’t come with guarantees. And Craig’s no angel. You put everything you had into that marriage.

  Could she bear to risk doing that again?

  Could she bear not to?

  Euan brought Cindy back down to the office to sign some pa
pers and promised to have her in the house by Friday. He turned to Molly as he said that. ‘All right with you?’

  Cindy looked from one to the other. ‘Hey, you’re an item! I can see it now.’ She beamed at them. ‘I think you’ll be good for one another. I can usually tell.’

  He was unfazed. ‘I hope so.’

  Molly could feel herself flushing.

  Cindy nodded at her wisely. ‘It’s recent. You’re not used to it yet. Don’t hang about, honey, grab him while you can. He’s a keeper! Now, about the furniture . . .’ She switched seamlessly into business mode.

  When they’d finished, she turned to Molly. ‘I’d be grateful if you could show me around the neighbourhood, the shops – I’m not used to grocery shopping in England, but I like to cook. You two must come over for a meal once I’m settled.’

  Euan accepted at once. ‘We’d be delighted.’

  ‘I think it’d be best if I introduced you to Avril,’ Molly said. ‘I’m a newcomer to the area too and I’m only just finding my way round. She’s been here for ages.’ She explained who Avril was.

  ‘Let’s go visit with her,’ Cindy said at once.

  Molly had met enough Americans to understand this meant chat to her. She looked at Euan. ‘All right if I go now?’

  He waved one hand.

  ‘How long have you lived here?’ Cindy asked as the two women walked up to the hotel.

  ‘Just over a week.’

  ‘Did you know Euan before?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And you’re already in love? That must be a strong attraction.’

  Somehow Molly didn’t mind the other woman’s questions, because Cindy was so warmly friendly, you couldn’t suspect her of ulterior motives. ‘Yes, but I’m still a bit . . . surprised by it all.’

  ‘My advice still holds. Grab him while you can.’

  ‘I’m not used to diving into things head first.’

  ‘You Brits are too uptight. Go get him, girl!’

  Molly led the way past reception to the office suite. ‘Here we are. Avril, this is Cindy, who’s going to buy a house, and . . .’

  She could see that the two older women had taken to one another, so left Cindy with Avril and returned to the sales office.

  Euan flapped one hand at her by way of greeting, but he was immersed in something on the computer, so she sat at her desk and stared out at the beautiful rolling Wiltshire scenery. She’d never lived so close to nature and watched in delight as a hare hopped across a patch of open land, and a parliament of rooks gathered to peck at the grass on the slope below the golf course. Such a delightful word for a flock of the large black birds.

  Euan pushed his chair back. ‘Done! Do we need to talk about options, or did you mean it about me moving in? I can always get a room at the hotel, after all.’

  ‘I meant it.’

  ‘Good. I mean it, too.’

  A car drew up and he swore under his breath. ‘Maybe when we’re living together we’ll manage to finish a conversation. Can you handle these people? I have some appointments up at the hotel. I’ve been neglecting my other business interests. I definitely need your help full-time.’

  She turned to greet the newcomers, smiling as she realized she felt quite confident about dealing with them. She was definitely moving on. In so many ways.

  Fourteen

  It took Rachel a few moments to realize someone was ringing the doorbell. It couldn’t be Jamie, who had a key, and she didn’t want to see anyone else, so she ignored it.

  It rang again and kept on ringing, so she got to her feet and went to check who it was through the peephole. What she saw made her fling the door open. ‘Daddy! Oh, Daddy!’

  He gave her a hug, then held her at arm’s length, shaking his head at the sight of her face, before leading her back into the living area. ‘Tell me exactly what happened.’

  She faltered through the tale, trying to minimize the night club incident, but he homed in on it and forced the truth out of her.

  ‘Not a good idea, princess. You’re married now, not single. I’d not let my wife go out clubbing without me, especially if she was as pretty as you.’

  ‘But Jamie doesn’t like dancing. He just wants to sit and read or watch TV. He’s working such long hours he’s always tired at night.’

  ‘Busy at work or needing the overtime?’

  ‘Both. I sometimes think he cares more about his stupid clients than he does about me.’ She looked at her father hopefully. ‘Can you go and see him? Persuade him to come back. Tell him I’ll do anything and—’

  He held up one hand. ‘Not a good bargaining position. And you were stupid to smash his computer. I never thought you stupid, princess. How many times have I told you it never pays to let go of your temper?’

  ‘But you will go and see him?’

  He looked at his watch. ‘I’ll go straight away.’

  ‘Can I come and stay at your place for a bit, just till Jamie comes back? It’s horrible here on my own.’

  ‘Sorry, princess. Geneva’s been a bit difficult lately and Tasha’s found her a flat. Tash wants us to live on our own from now on. We never have, you know.’

  ‘But I’m desperate, Daddy. I’ve never managed on my own before.’

  He looked round. ‘You have a decent enough place to live, Rach, though I don’t know how you can live in such a pigsty. If you find it a bit difficult paying the rent, I’ll help out. We don’t have to make any final decisions about anything yet, do we? Let me go and see Jamie.’

  She watched him drive away, then flung herself down in front of the TV, but started crying again. The box of tissues was empty, so she went to look for another one and found only two empty boxes. She’d bought some last week, surely? Or was it the week before? How did people keep track of all the stupid details of shopping? She went to get a toilet roll and used sheets of that to mop her eyes.

  But the tears kept on coming.

  Life sucked! Everything sucked. She couldn’t wait for Jamie to come back. Having him to organize her life was worth never going clubbing again, whatever her father said.

  Craig pulled up outside Jamie’s parents’ house, relieved when he saw the car. He’d guessed right about where his son-in-law would go.

  Mr Thomas senior opened the door. ‘Ah.’

  When Jamie’s father didn’t immediately invite him in, Craig said, ‘I’d like to speak to your son, if that’s all right?’

  ‘I suppose you’d better come in. Go easy on him. He’s still very upset.’

  ‘So is Rachel. I’m sure we can sort this out.’

  Mr Thomas turned round to call, ‘Craig Taylor’s here to see you, Jamie. I’ll show him into the front room.’

  Craig waited in the room, which was so old-fashioned in décor and so cluttered with ornaments, it made his lip curl. When the door opened, he turned round and was surprised at how much older Jamie looked, and haggard, as if he hadn’t slept well. ‘How are you?’

  ‘All right. I suppose Rachel sent you.’

  ‘Yes. Can we sit down?’

  Jamie waited till he’d sat, then took a chair on the opposite side of the table. ‘I shan’t change my mind, Craig. Rachel and I should never have married. We have nothing in common except sex.’

  ‘That’s a bit of a sweeping statement.’

  ‘It’s the simple truth. What’s more, your daughter is the biggest slob I’ve ever met. Her mother must have run round all day picking up after her. I’m not prepared to wait hand and foot on Rachel, or anyone else, nor see my hard-earned money thrown away on cocktails and clubbing.’

  That was the clue. ‘It’s the clubbing that sticks in your gullet, isn’t it? Look, she’s learned her lesson there. Give her another chance. She won’t do it again. And her mother may have spoiled her a little, but—’

  ‘Spoiled her a little? That’s the understatement of the year. Have you ever lived on your own with your daughter?’

  ‘Well, no.’

  ‘Try it. She expects
dirty clothes to wash themselves, can’t cook, doesn’t bother to shop and thinks money falls from heaven to get takeaway or eat out every night.’

  Craig tried to think how to give this a bit of a spin, but couldn’t. ‘It’s not as bad as that, surely?’ was the best he could manage.

  ‘Yes, it is. Last week she bought a packet of new knickers rather than wash the dozens of dirty pairs that were lying piled up in the corner of the bedroom.’

  ‘She can learn to do the housekeeping better. If you two are in love, you can work through this and—’

  ‘In lust, more like. She threw my computer on the floor when I tried to pack, and hurled my shaver across the room. I’ve had to buy new ones.’ He looked very steadily at Craig. ‘I’m not going back to her, not for anything under the sun.’

  ‘And if she’s pregnant?’

  ‘Good try. But she’s not. She just had a period and we haven’t made love since.’ Jamie stood up. ‘I think that’s all we need to say, Craig. My lawyer will be in touch. I’ll make sure he contacts you as well. No doubt Rachel will be living with you from now on. She’s incapable of living on her own, that’s for sure.’

  Craig prided himself on knowing when he’d lost an account, and this bore all the classic signs. He went out to his car, thinking hard, and it was a few moments before he started it up.

  No way would Tasha allow Rachel to live with them. And even if he did insist, there would be one row after the other, so it wouldn’t be worth it.

  Anyway, he’d seen the flat, seen the state his daughter was in, and Jamie was right: she was a slob. That was Molly’s fault. Could his ex do nothing right?

  But what was he going to do about Rachel? He was fond of her, proud of how she looked. He’d have to give it some thought.

  Euan got back at seven thirty. Molly felt her heart start beating faster when she saw his car pull up outside the caravan. She was apprehensive about spending the night with him, even though it was something she wanted very much. She went to unlock the door and wait for him.

  He got out of the car and stretched.

  ‘Did you drive to London?’

  ‘Yes. It’s easier to take a car when you’re going here and there on the outskirts.’ He stopped to smile at her. ‘Do I have to say a magic password?’