He smiled. ‘All part of prepping for the house sale.’
‘How kind,’ she said. ‘But it means I can’t offer you anything to drink now.’
‘That’s fine. I’ve already had a very nice cappuccino and a pastry from the bread van. I don’t need anything.’
Hattie could tell he was hoping that she would be desperate for coffee and a shower, and while both would have been welcome, she’d been having showers at Rose’s house; Rose and Sam had been delighted at the good news about her sister helping her find the money just in time. She had also bought a new gas canister; he had obviously wanted make her very uncomfortable but hadn’t succeeded: she wasn’t going to feel bullied.
‘Well, as my duties as a hostess are not required we can get down to business. I’ve got the finances sorted.’
She had the satisfaction of seeing him look surprised for a moment.
‘I have a lender—’
‘Prove it.’
Hattie showed him the offer she had in principle.
‘That’s not a firm offer—’
‘You said I had to have everything sorted by today. You didn’t specify I had to have it done’ – she glanced at her phone – ‘by seven twenty in the morning.’
Clive raised an eyebrow, as if acknowledging this.
‘The deposit will be in my account later today.’ Hattie mentally crossed her fingers. ‘And I’ve arranged for the lender’s valuation survey to be done this afternoon. I am going to visit Mary now,’ she went on. ‘Would you like to give me a message for her? You haven’t been to see her since you put her in that home, have you?’
‘It’s a perfectly good establishment,’ he snapped. ‘Nothing wrong with it.’
Hattie inclined her head. ‘Apart from the fact it’s many miles away from her family and friends. And it smells.’ She drew a breath. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a long day ahead of me. I need to get on.’
Chapter Thirty-Three
Hattie hadn’t intended to tell Mary quite how awful Clive had been but she found herself doing it anyway. Mary was appalled.
‘I can’t believe he turned off the gas and electricity,’ she said.
Hattie shrugged. ‘It was only for a short while. I mean, he probably won’t put it on again, but once I know the house is mine, I won’t care! Although I do hope I’ll be able to sort it all before Xander comes back.’
‘Darling, I am so sorry you’re having to buy it! I wanted to give it to you.’
‘But, Mary, if you’d left it to me in your will, like you’ve always said you wanted to, I wouldn’t have you!’ She took hold of Mary’s hand. ‘I’d much rather keep you forever. And my buying it means we’ll be able to get you moved to the home you really wanted. Clive – or rather you – will have the money so you can go where you want. Or you could come back and live with me! There’d be plenty of money for alterations if they were needed.’
Mary smiled and patted Hattie’s hand. ‘That is a lovely offer, and I’d certainly like to come and stay, but although my current home isn’t quite what I’d havechosen, the staff are very kind. They are around all day and I… well, I feel safe here. My room may be small, but it’s nicely cosy. And I have lots of company.’ She pursed her lips. ‘Clive handled it all very badly, but it hasn’t ended up too bad. Apart from being so far away from you.’
‘If you’re sure. The offer is always there.’
Neither of them spoke for a few moments. Hattie felt very emotional and could see that Mary was too.
Then Hattie cleared her throat. ‘Well, once I’m settled in you can come and look round it and tut at the changes I’ve made.’
Mary laughed. ‘I shall look forward to it! Although I will be having words with Clive. He’s my nephew, not my jailor. In fact, I’m going to do that right now. You go and explore the gardens – such as they are!’
Hattie could see Mary had made up her mind, so she dutifully took herself outside. Her first impressions were borne out – the gardens were definitely unloved. After a few minutes she came back to find Mary looking rather cross, so made haste to distract her. ‘Now, have you thought where you’d like to go for lunch? And maybe we can go round the supermarket afterwards. You can go in one of those wheelchairs with a basket attached to the front.’
‘Which would beat having to sit in the baby seat on the top,’ said Mary. ‘And as for lunch, there’s quite a nice hotel we can go to; one of the residents took her son the other day and had good things to say. And lunch is on me. I am very aware of how much I’ve cost you recently. Now come on! Before the smell of fish pie reaches us from the dining room.’
Hattie and Mary ate lunch looking on to a very well-kept garden which made Mary ask about Hattie’s plans.
‘Have you had any ideas about what you might do in my old garden?’ she asked.
