‘Mind where you walk, the puppy’s peed on the floor,’ Pippa shrieked just as Miles stuck a smart brogue straight in the puddle and Gil laughed.
Miles was very gracious about the mishap, and he accepted the anti-bac wipe she offered. She was expecting Gil to march out but instead he and Harriet sat down at the kitchen table and started discussing what sounded like back ailments in horses. Whenever Harriet was home, she would pump Gil for information about his work and he was very patient, answering her questions and encouraging her interest, something Pippa was uncomfortably aware she was not doing very well.
She introduced herself to Miles, wondering if she was imagining the glint in his eye as they shook hands. That look was one of the reasons she’d never signed up for online dating after her divorce; never certain if a potential match might see her or Jonny Jones’s daughter, and she found it easier not to bother trying. No wonder Cassie thought she was a lost cause where relationships were concerned.
‘It’s quite a place, I can see the appeal.’ Miles let go of Pippa’s hand to glance around the kitchen. ‘Great project for someone, as you said.’
Pippa certainly did not want to be reminded of what she’d said on the telephone when she’d made this appointment. She’d been counting on Harriet and Gil not being home and was aware she was now going to have to lead Miles around what would be a very tricky tour of the house. ‘Mmm. Shall we start in the hall?’
‘Pippa, when would be a good time to talk about my tenancy agreement?’ Gil leaned back to catch her eye, looking way too comfortable at the table for her liking. ‘Over dinner, tonight?’ He ignored her gape as he stood up and offered a hand to Miles, shaking firmly as Harriet watched on gleefully. ‘I’m Gil Haworth, Pippa’s tenant, and this is her daughter Harriet.’
‘You didn’t mention a tenant.’ Miles looked at Pippa, the smile just a smidge less dazzling. ‘What kind of agreement is in place and for how long?’
‘We can talk about that whilst I show you around.’ She was sorely tempted to grab Miles’s hand and haul him away from further trouble. She edged into the hall and stood in front of the suit of armour, hoping it wouldn’t put him off. That was another thing she’d have liked out of the way for today. In a skip, preferably. ‘Would you like to see the sitting room first? It’s beautifully proportioned, if a little dated.’
‘I think that’s my line,’ Miles said with a wink and this time she knew she wasn’t imagining the glint.
Good glint or bad glint, she wondered? Did he think she was attractive or raving bonkers?
‘Four bedrooms, you said?’
‘Yes. Just the one bathroom though.’ Pippa resisted a shudder. She had no idea what was wrong with the plumbing and didn’t intend to find out. ‘And there’s no downstairs loo.’
‘That won’t matter. Buyers will want to put their own stamp on it and probably extend. There’s plenty of space and the kitchen could use a reconfigure.’ Miles paused. ‘And obviously a sitting tenant is something you need to work out before the house can be sold, with or without him. It would definitely lessen the appeal to someone looking for a family home and narrow the market.’
‘Of course. Here we are.’ Pippa opened the door with a flourish. In the early evening sun, dust flickered through the air, landing on the layers that had come before. The vomit sofa, as she always thought of it, looked particularly bright and the purple cushions really didn’t help.
Miles made all the right noises as they continued the tour, and downstairs in the kitchen again, she was dismayed to find Gil and Harriet still talking. Lola was in her bed and Pippa had a sudden vision of Maud safely snuggled up beside her.
‘The house certainly has masses of potential and would sell in no time for the right price, once the situation with your, er, tenant is clear.’ Miles glanced at Gil, who ignored him. ‘Interest in the village is rocketing now the new broadband is in place. The house could appeal to lots of buyers, from someone looking to go self sufficient, work remotely, or most likely, a holiday home.’
‘A holiday home?’ Pippa hadn’t given that one much thought and wasn’t sure she really liked the idea, not that it was her choice. The house had been a home for so long and she felt it deserved to have full-time occupants again, a family who’d understand its quirks and its past.
Harriet got up, grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and ran out of the back door. Pippa glanced at Miles, grateful for the one person in the room who actually didn’t seem to mind her company. She was getting used to all this angst, sharing a house with her daughter and Gil. When this adventure was over, she decided she was going to take herself off to a deserted island and speak to absolutely no one.
Miles was saying something as he consulted his phone. Goodness, he really was attractive, and she focused again, trying to make up for her distraction.
‘So shall we say Thursday at one? We could make it lunch at the pub, if you fancy it?’
‘Lovely.’ Pippa’s smile became a beam. Live a little, she told herself firmly. She was due a little fun and if that meant getting her kicks, such as they were, with a handsome young land agent then she was willing to give it a go. She’d better be careful all the same, she didn’t want to make a fool of herself. ‘I’ll look forward to it.’
‘Excellent.’ Miles nodded at Gil who glared back, and edged towards the door. ‘You’ve got my number, Pippa, if there’s anything you need before then.’
‘Thank you, I’ll bear that in mind.’
Pippa closed the door behind Miles and tried to think back to what she’d been doing before everyone had arrived and she’d been forced to confront the prospect of a puppy. Gil was making hot water with lemon before he leaned against the range, mug in hand, to stare at her.
‘Why are you so against having the puppy?’
‘For all the reasons I gave Harriet,’ she said calmly. ‘I thought you’d understand. As a vet, surely you don’t want someone taking on a pet they can’t manage. So many people change their minds and end up rehoming.’
‘All those things need to be thought through but it’s not that holding you back, Pippa.’ He took a mouthful of hot water. ‘You’re frightened. Why?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Her heart was clattering and she just wanted to get on with making dinner. ‘Would you mind moving so I can start cooking please?’
Gil shifted along but not quite as far away as she’d like, and she opened the fridge. ‘You saw the mess the puppy made on the floor. I’d be the one doing all the hard work, then in a few years Harriet will go to university and her puppy will become my dog. I don’t want that, it’s not fair.’
‘On whom? Harriet, or you?’
