Hold that mosaic swimming pool.
“Please,” Carmine said. “Come through. Can we get you anything to drink?”
“Some water would be good.”
Carmine glanced at Samantha, who hadn’t taken her eyes off their potential client.
“Samantha?”
“What’s up?”
“Could you get Noah some water, please.”
“Oh right,” Samantha replied, snapping to attention. “Yes. Water. One sec.”
She gave a high-pitched giggle before heading off to the communal kitchen.
Carmine led Noah into the meeting room. He took a seat and gestured to the one opposite him. Now they were alone without Samantha’s beady eyes on them, his confidence flourished.
“I will warn you now,” Carmine said. “I know nothing about football.”
Noah beamed. His whole face lit up.
“That’s a refreshing change,” he replied. “It seems to be all I ever talk about.”
Samantha knocked and came in. She set a glass of water carefully in front of Noah.
“Thank you,” he said.
She blushed and left them to it.
“Sorry,” Carmine said. “I think she may be a bit starstruck.”
Noah chuckled. “It happens.”
I’m sure it does.
They both stared at each other. Seemingly lost for words. It was Carmine who broke the silence.
“Why don’t you tell me what you want out of today?”
Noah took a sip of his water. He seemed pensive. This was totally not what Carmine had been expecting.
“I’ve bought a plot of land,” Noah began. “There’s already planning permission to build a small dwelling.”
Carmine exhaled. “That’s great news,” he said. “A small dwelling?”
“Absolutely. I don’t want anything too crazy. That’s not my style.”
Carmine frowned.
“I guess I’m a surprise to you,” Noah said.
“You could say that. Do you have the dimensions of the plot?”
Noah nodded. “I can email them to you. I would like three bedrooms, an open-plan living space and a den that’s for me. I’ll need landscaping too.”
Carmine frantically scribbled this list into a notebook.
