They said their goodbyes, inevitably getting involved in more conversations, one involving next week’s midsummer festival in the village and the well dressing that was taking place during the week. It was a tradition that had never been allowed to die out, although in most nearby villages a well was no longer dressed, but instead murals were created from petals. Severton, however, still had a medieval well in one of the churches, and each year for midsummer, it would be decorated with intricate patterns and pictures, using petals and other natural objects.
There was also a big festival, with Morris dancers, the pop-up choir, bands, a huge hog roast and camping. Rayah was on the general committee, so Keren had been dragged into a few things, but she’d had the excuse of being pregnant to avoid too much in the way of organisation.
Scott led her back down to the town which was busy with people moving between the bars and pubs and restaurants. But instead of heading towards his bar, he directed them out of the centre, towards the road that led out of town and out in the direction of the Maynard farm and Sorrell’s hotel.
“Where are we going?” It was the third time she’d asked the question, and each time he’d laughed and changed the subject.
“Here.” He stopped abruptly, in front of the house that had once belonged to a family whose children had been at the same school around the same time as Rayah and Alex. The parents had moved recently, swapping the town for Bristol to help their daughter with the twins she’d had.
And the house was vacant. A ‘for sale’ sign back up. Scott’s motivation for the detour was clear.
“How come it’s back on the market?” She looked at it in darkness, familiar enough with the property to not need the light to see it’s large front garden, apple trees around the side and two storey height with ivy creeping up the front.
“Sale fell through. Not sure why, but it went back on the market two days ago.”
She faced the house. “I’m pushing myself with buying it. If I bought it, I’d be struggling to save as well, or at least save as much as I’m used to.”
“What if we bought it together?” His words were soft, as if he was speaking to a shy animal.
They hadn’t discussed formalising what they were doing, both skating around the issue. This would mean that they’d both been completely wrong with their sniping and arguing. It would also mean a perfect house for their baby, room for them to have their space and to create a home that suited both of them.
“That’s a big step.”
“And having a baby isn’t?”
He had a point.
“The biggest. But if we’re living together somewhere like this and it doesn’t work, Beanie is there while we argue and part. That’s worse than parenting from two houses.” It was a painful argument. Keren didn’t know how she was going to manage without Scott with her: not that she wasn’t capable, but she liked him being there.
He stepped backwards, giving her space, probably needing it for himself. “I get that, but why do you think we won’t work? I know we’ve hardly had the fairytale courtship you were imagining, but the last few months have been the best I’ve ever had.”
“This is a big step.”
“I know. I’ve thought about it too. There’s another option.”
“What’s that?” She prepared herself for his suggestion.
“We buy it together, but I don’t move in. Not at first, anyway. I can stay when you want me, or when you need me, but I keep on the flat and have that as my base until we’re ready.”
Her breathing slowed and she felt a little dizzy. It was a sensible suggestion.
“What ifwedon’t work out?”
“Then you continue to live in the house and either buy my half from me at some point or it’s put in trust for Beanie – whatever that involves.”
She wasn’t sure what to say so she said nothing. He had thought this through carefully, something she knew he was inclined to do. There was no question now of her moving to one of the cities. She wanted their baby to see their father and have the sort of idyllic childhood they’d been afforded by living in Severton. This house was perfect.
“You’ve thought of everything.”
“I had to. Because you would think of everything that could go wrong. And I know you. If I need to make it clear, I’d move in with you from the start. I’m sure that we’re going to be celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary at some point, but I get that you need more time to get to that conclusion.”
“How do you get me so well?” She turned to look at him. “How do you know?”
“Because I just know you. I want to know you. Make you happy.” He gestured with his hands as if this was the simplest thing ever.
Keren lifted her arms around his neck. “Let’s make an appointment to view it. I need to see what it’s like inside.”
“Already done. We’re here tomorrow at ten.”
