‘See you soon, Emily,’ Christie replied and on impulse kissed the little girl’s cheek. She couldn’t help it – Emily was adorable.
*
By late morning Daniel had safely dropped Emily off at his parents’ house as arranged. He swore it got harder having to say goodbye to her, however temporary it was. He refused point blank to let his mind wander into that bleak, depressive space, being determined to stay positive and upbeat for his meeting with Tobias Cavendish-Blake. He needed to come across as assertive. He did allow his thoughts to travel to a future at Keeper’s Cottage and prayed it all worked out. Also, the prospect of living so close to Christie was a most welcome one. He could feel himself stir again at the thought of her and gripped the steering wheel tightly to concentrate on the drive back to Treweham.
Later that afternoon he made his way to the Treweham Hall estate office, as directed. Moments before reaching the office door, he mentally prepared himself and coughed before knocking. The estate manager opened it and showed him in. Tobias was sat at the desk waiting.
‘Hello, Mr James.’ He nodded.
‘Daniel, please,’ he answered reaching out his hand. A firm handshake followed.
‘Please, sit down, Daniel.’ Tobias looked at him expectantly, obviously waiting for him to take the initiative, which he did, as confidently as his nerves would allow.
‘Thank you, Lord Cavendish-Blake, for your time.’ He noticed another curt nod and took it as a sign to get down to business. ‘In a nutshell, I’d like to buy Keeper’s Cottage. I’m an architect and would love to renovate it back to its former glory.’Former glory– was that a tad melodramatic? Daniel coughed and continued, ‘I would restore it to a very high standard and it would make an ideal home for me and my little girl.’
‘Providing you have the funds to do so,’ replied Tobias, ‘which takes us to the point of the cost.’
‘Yes, it does.’ Daniel stared back. Inside he was shaking, but refused to let it show.
Tobias had thought long and hard about Daniel’s proposition. He’d learnt the hard way regarding selling property on his estate, having seen how the Belchers had desecrated the Gate House. This had left Tobias thinking twice before doing so again. But then, Daniel James did seem a different kettle of fish compared to the lottery winners that he’d made a handsome profit from.
However, Tobias was a businessman, and an astute one at that. To leave Keeper’s Cottage as a crumbling ruin, when it could be restored to life and make him money would be a travesty, but under no circumstances did he want any undesirables living on his estate.
‘A cottage with such potential, located on this estate, would fetch at least £400,000.’
Daniel gulped. There was no way he could afford that, plus the cost of the renovation. His heart sank.
‘However, I don’t want to sell all of it.’
Daniel frowned and waited for Tobias to continue.
‘I do want to see it restored, and I want a say in who’s going to inhabit it, which means I’d want joint ownership.’
Daniel listened carefully to what was being said and sat forward.
‘Here’s what I propose: you renovate the cottage to my standards, at your expense and we have joint names on the deeds. That way, if you ever decide to move on, I either buy you out, or we both agree on the purchasers. The last thing I want is no say as to who will be living on my estate.’
Daniel sat and digested the proposition.
‘This way, you don’t have to stump up the asking price, but the money for the restoration only, and still have part ownership.’
The more Daniel considered it, the more attractive it sounded, especially as he couldn’t ever see himself moving from Keeper’s Cottage.
‘I own a building company. Renovating old properties is nothing new to me; along with your skills as an architect we could pool our resources. This could be a worthy project.’
This clinched it. ‘Yes, I agree,’ said Daniel firmly. ‘I’d like to accept your offer.’ He liked the idea of using Tobias’ workmen. They were hardly likely to take advantage, with their employer having a vested interest.
‘Good, then I’ll have my solicitor draw up a contract and we’ll get together to discuss a timetable.’
Daniel nodded his head with enthusiasm. ‘Yes, yes of course and… thank you.’
Tobias smiled; his instincts told him they’d both made a good decision. ‘Did you see the outbuilding?’ he asked.
‘No?’
‘Hardly surprising – it’s covered in ivy, but yes, there’s a small stone outbuilding towards the back of the cottage, further into the woods.’
Daniel’s imagination leapt. This could be converted into a work studio. It would be ideal, so close to his home, yet still providing a separate space. ‘Excellent, I’ll take a look at it.’
Tobias smiled again, warming to this man who looked like he’d been given the world.
