‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m selling up,’ she stated with conviction.
‘What, this place?’ asked Robin, stunned.
‘Yes. I’m going to put it on the market,’ she replied with a decisive nod.
‘Are you sure?’ Robin still couldn’t quite believe it. He pictured Bunty staying in this house until her very last day on earth.
‘Yes. It’s huge, costly and secluded. And I’m not getting any younger, Robin.’ She gave him a wary look. ‘One day I’ll conk out, just like that old boiler.’
‘But… where will you live?’
‘In Samphire Bay of course.’
Robin frowned. ‘But where?’
At this Bunty threw her head back and chuckled.
‘Why, in your cottage of course,’ she answered with a wry grin.
It took a moment for her words to sink in. So, Bunty wanted to buy back her renovated cottage. Oh, the irony thought Robin. Folding his arms, his mouth twitched.
‘And what if I don’t want to sell it to you, Bunty?’ It amused him to see her reaction; finally Bunty was the one on the back foot for a change.
‘Don’t play silly buggers with me, Robin,’ her voice was playful but tinged with a slight edge.
‘I’m not,’ he said innocently.
‘Yes you are, darling,’ said Bunty. He was enjoying this, the swine. ‘I’ll pay the asking price,’ she continued.
Robin forced a laugh. Now where had he heard that before? Not that it had done him any good. He raised an eyebrow.
‘Oh stop,’ scolded Bunty. ‘Who else would you sell it to anyway? Why not me?’
‘I was thinking of living there myself actually,’ Robin replied. Then couldn’t resist adding, ‘That was your intention, wasn’t it, Bunty? To get me and Jasmine next to each other?’
‘To meet yes, but now you’re…’ She looked at him quizzically. ‘What are you exactly, still just good friends, or have things moved on yet?’ She remembered the telephone call between her and Jasmine and suspected there was a shifting in the sand, judging by what she’d said. Something told Bunty that Jasmine wasn’t her usual self and had wondered if that trollop Ellie had anything to do with it.
At this, all humour had evaporated for Robin, his face suddenly turning serious.
‘Let’s just say I’m on the case.’
‘Meaning?’ Bunty obviously required him to elaborate.
‘We’re going to talk tomorrow.’
‘What, have a heart-to-heart you mean?’ Bunty’s face lit up with eagerness at this.
‘Yes,’ Robin said quietly. Wanting to distract her, he quickly changed the subject. ‘So, are you serious about putting this place on the market?’
The diversion worked.
‘The time has come, Robin,’ came the sad reply. It touched Robin. ‘It could take a while to sell though, darling, houses like this will only attract a certain amount of people, especially it being on a peninsula.’
‘Well, they’ll need deep pockets,’ said Robin, knowing how much the huge house needed spending on it. ‘It would make a fantastic hotel. Its location could prove to be a real selling point, a place to get away from it all.’
Bunty’s head turned sharply.
