Flick sat at the kitchen table with Dee. Flick watched Dee swipe through the numerous photos on her camera, eagerly awaiting her verdict. Having always considered estate agents a chatty bunch, on this occasion, Dee had proved to be the opposite. She hadn’t said much at all as they’d toured the chateau, adding to the already-tense atmosphere floating through the building. There was no immediate feedback on the newly decorated rooms, and even now she wasn’t giving much away, causing Flick to wonder if she’d wasted both her time and money trying to beautify the place.
Dee, at last, put down her camera.
“Well?” Flick asked.
The woman smiled. “Well nothing. I love what you’ve done.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Finally, Flick allowed herself to relax.
“Simple yet stylish,” Dee continued. “It’ll certainly give potential buyers something to think about when it comes to turning this place into a proper home.”
Flick glanced around the room. Glad to hear that Dee approved, she too liked the results and despite the long days and blistered hands, had thoroughly enjoyed transforming the various areas of the chateau. So much so, the last few weeks had flown by. She’d also begun to wonder if the building deserved something a bit grander, so it was good to know her efforts had paid off.
“And this kitchen,” Dee said. “I can’t believe the change in those cupboards. I know I’m supposed to be able to see beyond these things, but I certainly wouldn’t have thought to update them. I’d have ripped the whole lot out and started again.”
Flick would have liked nothing more, but on her budget, getting rid of almost anything was out of the question, she had to work with what she’d got. She’d also had to search for bargains to get those all-important finishing touches. Not that she minded. If she’d thought scouring the flea markets back in the UK was fun, they had nothing compared to the wares on offer at France’sVide Greniers.
“It does look good, doesn’t it?” she said, taking in the chunky freshly waxed wooden shelves now home to a variety of jugs and bowls. The newly acquired dresser top and hanging set of copper pans looked very in keeping, as did the much-improved painted dining chairs and pretty floral table cloth she’d picked up for next to nothing. “Of course I would’ve liked to have decorated more of the place, but it’s already cost me a small fortune.” She thought about the money she’d spent on rugs, cushions, lamps and knick-knacks to give the chosen rooms a homely feel, not to mention the gallons of paint she’d had to buy. “I can’t justify the extra expense when it’s for someone else.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” Dee raised her eyebrows.
Flick appreciated the faith everyone seemed to have in her ability to turn the chateau around, but she didn’t waver. She knew selling up was her only real option.
“You might want to think about putting that away then,” Dee said. With no choice but to accept Flick’s decision, she nodded towards the fireplace. “Viewers might not appreciate its significance like you do.”
“Oh, Mum.” Flick stared at her father’s urn, strategically positioned, pride of place on the mantel, not quite sure whether to be annoyed or tickled by her mother’s antics. She knew that underneath all the bravado her mum didn’t really want her to sell, but to try to play the guilt card, how could she? She returned her attention to Dee, who struggled to suppress her amusement. “Don’t worry. I’ll find it a more discreet home.”
Dee checked her watch. “I should get back to the office.” Rising to her feet, she packed her camera away. “I can’t wait to see the response once I upload these onto the website.”
Flick led the way down the hall to the front door. “I’m glad to be getting rid of this,” she said, grimacing as she squeezed past the old scruffy sofa waiting to be moved. “One item of furniture that couldn’t be saved.”
“I can sort that out for you, if you like. I’m sure there’ll be a man with a van somewhere in my list of local businesses.”
“That’s okay. Jess has already offered Pete’s services,” Flick said.
“Pete’s?”
“Yes, why?”
Dee opened her mouth to say something, before closing it again. “No reason. Right, I shall leave you to it. Say hello to Brenda for me.” She paused as she made her way to her car and turned. “Where is she, by the way? I expected her to be here.”
Flick recalled her mum’s demeanour as she’d donned her coat earlier that morning. Saying that she hoped all went well, her words hadn’t quite matched the expression on her face. “She went for a walk, something to do with needing a bit of fresh air. No doubt she’ll be back soon.”
“She didn’t take it very well then, your decision to sell?”
“As well as can be expected.” Flick sympathised, of course. Since breaking the news, her mother had tried to be supportive. But Flick knew her heart wasn’t in it, that she thought her daughter was making a mistake.
“I’ll be in touch,” Dee said, climbing into her car.
Flick put up a hand to wave her off. She looked around and, shivering, wrapped her arms around herself as the cool of the afternoon made its presence known. “I’m sorry, Dad, but you do understand, don’t you?”
She continued to stand there, despite the cold, unable to bring herself to go back inside.
14
