They stood in the farmhouse-style kitchen. ‘Well?’ asked Blythe.
‘I love it,’ said Sam.
‘Fantastic!’ she said, already mentally slapping another unicorn on the sales chart.
‘But it’s not for me.’
Blythe felt like she’d been kicked by a unicorn. ‘Why? Why? Why?’ She was losing her patience. Which was unusual for her. Usually she was focused on finding people their perfect home and that was what mattered and gave her a real sense of job satisfaction, but today that was a bit lacking and she felt bad because of it. Thanks to Amir’s sneaky tactics she was focusing on the sale and not on the client. She was a bit shocked with herself. Ludo had taught her better and one day she very much hoped to be able to take over the running of the agency from him. Despite the competition, Sam Ashton still deserved to get the five-star service she gave everyone else.
Sam twisted his lips. ‘It doesn’t feel right. I love the period features, the layout and location, but it’s not going to work.’ He looked skywards.
‘Okay. Why do you think that is? Because it has everything on your must-have list.’
Sam wobbled his head and she knew he was going to challenge her statement. ‘It’s only two bedrooms so if I use one as an office I have no spare bedroom.’
‘They are two good double bedrooms so you could have a sofa bed in the second one as well as a desk.’ In her mind she mentally ticked off that objection.
‘I was hoping for a proper garden not just some hardstanding.’
‘It’s a courtyard garden. Some planters would make a world of difference.’ She was straw clutching again.
‘And then there’s this,’ said Sam, at last lifting his hand to knock on the ceiling. The very low ceiling that was causing him to stoop like a giant in a doll’s house.
Blythe huffed out a breath. She knew when she was beaten. She smiled. ‘I feared that might be a problem.’
Sam smiled back. ‘If you could find me this cottage but just a bit bigger, I’d be putting in an offer.’
The words were like an aphrodisiac. Surely there was somewhere else. ‘Right, let’s go to the next house. It’s not exactly like this and they might not let us view it. But have a look from the outside.’ It would also give her some thinking time. She was mentally scrolling through previous valuations and properties Happy Homes had had on their books in the past. Perhaps one of those would fit the bill and maybe they were ready to move again. All very flimsy, but flimsy was all she had.
They thanked the owners, got back in the car and headed off. The route to the next property took them through Holly Cross. As Blythe came into the village, she passed her parents’ house. Her stepdad was mowing the lawn and seeing her car he waved and came striding over. Blythe pulled up.
‘Someone you know?’ asked Sam.
‘My stepdad,’ replied Blythe, putting on her hazard lights and buzzing down her window. ‘I’m with a client, Greg. I’ll be back later.’ She thought it best to pre-empt his conversation.
‘Hello,’ said Greg, reaching inside to shake Sam’s hand. ‘Has she found your ideal home yet?’
‘We’re still looking.’
‘She’s their star negotiator you know.’
‘I didn’t know that,’ said Sam, raising an eyebrow at Blythe. ‘I’m after somewhere like this.’ Sam pointed past Greg at their chocolate-box property. I don’t suppose your house is for sale, is it?’
Blythe looked hopefully at Greg. She had not long ago sold her own home to clients, which was why she was back at home. That and a need to recharge thanks to a nasty relationship break-up. She was keeping an eye out for her ideal property and like Sam she’d know it when she saw it.
Greg shook his head and laughed. ‘Only way I’m leaving here is in a box. Sorry, young man. Thanks for the compliment though.’
‘Right, bye then,’ said Blythe.
‘Just a sec,’ said Greg. ‘Your mum is making her spag bol for dinner.’ He grimaced.
Blythe pulled a face to match Greg’s. ‘Okay. Thanks for the warning. And now I have to go,’ she said, and with a smile she shooed Greg away from her car.
‘She’ll find you the right place. Mark my words. Top negotiator,’ he said with a cheery wave. Greg always went a bit over the top with the compliments. If only her real father was half as encouraging.
Blythe checked the road was clear – although there was very little traffic in Holly Cross – indicated and waved as they drove away. Sam’s head was on a swivel. ‘This is a gorgeous village. You’re very lucky to live here.’
‘It’s only temporary. But yeah, it is really lovely. Close community, good primary school, great pub and easy access to the motorway.’ Why was she selling him a place with no available properties?
