‘It would. You are definitely in a new chapter. Actually, I think you’re on chapter three. After all the tough times, you deserve this fresh start. By the way, what’s happened with the flat? It must nearly be done and dusted now.’
Nina nodded. With a view to buying a place in Lovely Bay, she’d sold the investment flat in London that she’d bought with Andrew. It had been a hard decision and another occasion in her journey to being free of grief or at least not as affected by it. The decision itself had been loaded with emotion, but once she’d made it, she’d felt as if she’d let another thing holding her back go. ‘Yes, it is. I just need to go and sign a few more papers, and it’s officially done.’
‘Wow, that was quick!’
‘Well, there’s no chain, and it sold the day it hit the internet, as you know. Plus, the couple who have bought it are downsizing and have nothing to sell. I think it was unusual for it to go that way, but I’m not complaining.’
‘How do you feel about it now?’ Sophie asked.
‘One word: sad.’
‘Still? I bet.’
‘But if there is such a thing as happy sad, then that’s what it is. It needed to be done for me to move on even though my actual flat is still sitting there, as you know.’ Nina didn’t add that Andrew’s clothes were still in the wardrobe or that she never wanted to part with them. That once when she’d gone back to the flat, she’d climbed into the wardrobe and stood next to his clothes for ages just to sort of be near him again. She’d keep that to herself.
‘What will you do about that?’
‘Honest answer is I don’t know.’ Nina wasn’t sure if she wouldeverbe willing to sell the place she’d lived in with Andrew. It was still full of memories and emotions, none of them, yet, she felt as if she was ready to let go.
‘What will be will be. Let’s just hope this place you’re going to look at is good.’
‘I hope so.’
‘It will be great for your little business to have a home and for you to be off that kitchen table. How are things with the business?’
Nina let out a happy sigh. ‘Can’t keep up with it! Who knew so many people needed decluttering and house organisation services?’
‘I do! I need you here.’
Nina chuckled. ‘You do not.’
‘I have stuff coming out of my ears, Neens.’
‘I’ll put you on my waiting list,’ Nina joked.
‘Ha, right, I’d better get back to the mayhem. Send me pics later.’
‘Will do. Soph, let me know if you want me to come over and help.’
‘I’m fine. Keep me updated on how the viewing goes.’
‘I will. Bye.’ Nina put down her phone and let out a sigh.
Standing up, she picked up her tea, opened the back door, and mused the conversation with Sophie and the fact that the investment flat she’d bought with Andrew, her husband, had now sold. Things were moving on. Memories were now of a different place. Lovely Bay had become more than just a little town to stay in for a bit and see how it went. She was no longer going to be just renting a house to see what happened. She would be either buying somewhere or renewing a longer lease. She was putting down roots, cementing her new beginnings, getting Nina back.
With thoughts of the property Ella had told her about swirling in her mind, Nina felt a little bit of excitement in the pit of her stomach at the prospect of buying a place in Lovely Bay. As Sophie had said, what would be would be.
3
Later that day, Nina was outside, sweeping the path. Lost in a world of her own, she was enjoying the sounds of Lovely Bay all around her: the calls of seagulls from way up above, the leaves on the conker tree opposite rustling, and somewhere in the distance, church bells pealed across the air. Just as she was standing on the bench by the front door, peering into a hanging basket and pulling out weeds, she noticed a woman walk over the green and stop outside Nancy’s cottage. Nina squinted and tried to see if she recognised the woman. Not many people came up to the rear of the green where the row of cottages stood back from the street. As she watched the woman continue to stand by Nancy’s gate, she assumed it must be a friend of Nancy’s she hadn't yet met and got on with pulling weeds out of the basket.
A few minutes later, she heard someone’s voice. Still standing on the bench, she turned to look over her shoulder across to the pavement and shaded her eyes from the light to see the woman who had been at Nancy’s gate walking towards her. Nina couldn't place her, but maybe she'd seen her around town. She wasn’t quite sure.
‘Excuse me,’ the woman called out, her voice friendly enough but with an undercurrent Nina couldn't quite read or maybe shewas imagining things. ‘I'm looking for the old bakery building. I love finding out about the history of places. I know it's around here somewhere, but I seem to have gone around in circles. Do you have any idea at all?’
Nina climbed down from the bench, brushing the soil from the hanging basket from her hands. She frowned and wrinkled up her nose. ‘The old bakery? I’m not sure. I haven’t lived here long myself.’
‘Oh, right. Nice cottage by the way.’
