‘Isn’t it an Airbnb now?’
‘Which means I can rent it. I’m sure it’ll be fine!’ She wasn’t quite as sure as she sounded but she didn’t want Rose to worry.
‘And you won’t have to pay?’
‘No, I will have to pay. But when Xander comes back, I can ask Leonie to go halves till I find a long-term rental.’ She paused. ‘She’s so much nicer and more approachable since she met Tom.’
‘Your visions do come in handy, don’t they?’ Rose laughed.
Hattie sighed. ‘Yes, but don’t tell anyone about it.’
‘Hattie! I never would. You know that! I haven’t even told Sam and he benefited from your visions directly.’
‘I know. I just wish I wasn’t so weird, sometimes!’
‘We love you weird.’
‘Well, you do.’
‘And Luke does—’
‘Luke and I are just good friends!’
‘You may see him as a friend, but he adores you. You must know he does.’
‘He’s a very good friend indeed.’
‘And he loves you.’
Didhe love her? she wondered. Could he? And could she love him? Hattie sighed deeply. ‘I haven’t got headspace to think about any of that now. I’m practically homeless.’
‘Don’t say that! I feel guilty enough already.’
‘Don’t be silly!’
‘I’d much rather have you there than my mother-in-law. She’s quite sweet really, but I sense her disapproval. She talks about clutter a lot, and you know I hate it when people do that. My house isn’t cluttered; it’s just I’m a maximalist.’
‘I love your home, Rose. I won’t hear a word against it.’
‘And as your reward for your support of my style, I’m going to create some proper labels to put on the furniture. The Post-its might drop off.’
‘That would be very kind.’ Hattie sighed. ‘I’m going to text Clive again,’ she said. ‘See when he’s due back. We need to get the furniture moved before then.’
‘Is he not due to inherit the furniture?’
‘I don’t think so. Mary would have said. She’s very meticulous.’
‘But I’m not entirely sure that taking the contents would be legal, even if they’re not due to be his,’ said Rose.
‘I agree it feels very much like stealing,’ said Hattie.
‘Do you know anyone in the legal profession?’
Hattie laughed. ‘Of course I do! But actually, I’d rather not ask them about this. I wouldn’t want them to think I had a side hustle as a burglar.’
Rose laughed. A few seconds later, she said, ‘Ask them anyway.’ She paused. ‘What about Mary’s vintage clothes? They can’t go in a lock-up or a stable,’ she said. ‘They could be ruined.’
‘What else can I do with them?’ said Hattie. ‘I don’t want to leave them for Clive. He’ll sell them but for not nearly enough money.’
