Hattie sat down opposite him, wondering that he was somehow related to Mary and reminding herself she had to get him on side. ‘Cheers!’
‘So, you want to move in with Aunt Mary?’
‘Yes,’ she said, having rejected several longer ways of saying this.
‘Why?’
‘I need somewhere to live temporarily. Mary and I get on, and the house is big enough for us both. I could keep an eye on her. She’s very old to be living on her own.’
‘And your nephew will be there too?’
Hattie nodded. ‘That’s also temporary.’
‘Hmm,’ said Clive.
He didn’t speak for quite a long time and Hattie wondered why Mary couldn’t just say she wanted Hattie to live with her. She shouldn’t have to ask permission, or run it past her great-nephew.
Hattie wouldn’t break the silence. Eventually, Clive said, ‘You’d pay rent, of course?’
‘Of course,’ said Hattie. ‘And share expenses. I’d cook and clean, keep an eye. I think Mary would feel safer if I was there.’ She took a sip of her water to stop herselfreminding him Mary really wanted to go into a care home. He knew that.
‘OK,’ said Clive. ‘It’ll be…’ He quoted a rent that was about double the going rate.
Hattie shook her head. ‘No,’ she said calmly. ‘I’ll pay half that.’ She wasn’t going to be bullied into paying more than she should. Had she been paying Mary direct, it would have been different, but she knew the money would go to Clive and couldn’t see a way whereby it would end up in Mary’s account.
He wasn’t happy.
‘OK,’ she said eventually. ‘I’ll pay what you ask, but I’ll deduct all the money I spend on food, repairs, etc., before I pay. Or I could just pay Mary direct.’ She knew Mary had a building society account that Clive had no access to.
He sighed and eventually nodded. ‘Pay what you suggest. Any money you spend on the house will be refunded but I’ll have to agree the expense is valid.’
‘I’ll keep strict accounts.’
They parted shortly afterwards and Hattie drove to the property to check on the sunset. She had an app on her phone to help her do this but it was never the same as seeing it for herself. ‘Evening sun’ was right at the top of her newest client’s list of requirements.
Afterwards, Hattie drove back to Mary with the news. She was delighted. ‘I don’t want you to pay rent though, darling! You’ll be looking after me to some extent. I should pay you!’
Hattie laughed. ‘I’d rather pay rent. I don’t want Clive, or anyone, thinking I’m sponging off you. And I won’t really be looking after you much. I’ll cook the odd meal—’
‘And clean, do the garden, heave me back into bed or my chair if I fall out…’
‘I’ll be happy to do all those things,’ said Hattie. ‘And pay rent. Now, when would you like me to move in?’
‘Have you got plans for tonight?’
Hattie laughed again and kissed Mary’s cheek. ‘Maybe tomorrow would be better. I ought to at least bring a nightie and a toothbrush with me.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
It was actually a couple of days later that Hattie and Xander moved their things to Mary’s house. Hattie’s landlord had been understanding as, in the past, Hattie had done him so many favours; he said he thought he’d turn it into an Airbnb for the time being. When they arrived, Hattie brought Xander to meet Mary. She didn’t say anything but she was praying that he would speak to her and not be paralysed by shyness.
‘Hello, Xander, I’m Mary,’ she said the moment Xander and Hattie entered the room. ‘I do hope you’re going to like living with me. It will take us a while to get used to each other, I’m sure. But I am quite deaf, so you probably don’t need to worry about playing your music too loudly.’
Xander laughed. ‘I usually wear headphones when I’m playing music,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t want to disturb you.’
‘And we’re hoping to turn the shed into a den for you,’ said Hattie. ‘Although he’s not a noisy person generally.’
‘I try not to be noisy,’ said Mary, ‘but I do have the television up rather loud. We’ll have to tolerate each other.’
