‘Everything OK here?’ he asked.
‘Yeah, it’s all good,’ replied Robin with a nod.
‘Right, let’s give the old bird a viewing then,’ Jack said with a grin.
Unlike Robin, who had contemplated buying the cottage himself, Jack was more than ready to get the house sold. Time was money, after all, and they were running a business.
‘Now’s a good time. She’s got someone to value her house next week apparently.’
Jack turned, taking in the cottage. ‘It’ll be interesting to see who’s going to end up there.’ He still thought Bunty’s house would have been an ideal business venture, if, that is, they could have stretched their finances that far. Out of the two, Jack was more ambitious than Robin, always hunting for the next project. As soon as it looked like they’d be in a position to start another renovation, he’d put the feelers out. As for Robin, well, he was far too busy with the girl next door, thought Jack with affection, chuffed for his mate. ‘How’s things with Jasmine?’ he asked.
Robin’s face lit up. ‘Fine. She’s meeting my parents at the weekend.’
Jack whistled. ‘Must be love.’
There was a knock at the door, then a voice called, ‘It’s Jasmine!’ from the bottom of the stairs.
‘Up here!’ Robin shouted back.
Jack watched as she came in the room and smiled at Robin, then him. Only the smile he got was less warm and still a touch uncertain.
‘Hi, Jasmine,’ he dipped his head.
‘Hi, Jack,’ she replied, then faced Robin again. ‘Lunch later?’
‘Lovely, thanks,’ answered Robin, then in an effort to encourage conversation with Jack said, ‘We were just discussing Bunty viewing the cottage, weren’t we, Jack?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Jack smiled again at Jasmine, wishing she’d learn to like him. Clearly, he had given her the wrong impression from day one.
‘I’m sure she’ll love it,’ Jasmine said, seeming to ease slightly in his company. Despite what Jack thought, her opinion of him was on the ascent, ever since he’d told Ellie where to go. She knew that Jack had had Robin’s best interests at heart. ‘Have you agreed on a price?’ she enquired, curious to know. Then she felt a little embarrassed. It wasn’t really any of her business, was it?
‘Not yet, but we’ll honour the reduction she gave us,’ Jack stated, further attempting to coax himself into her good books. It worked. He was rewarded with a huge beam.
‘That’s decent of you,’ she said.
‘I am decent,’ he replied, making Robin laugh.
‘Right, I’ll arrange a viewing with Bunty, get things moving,’ said Robin rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
Chapter 31
The moment Bunty hopped onboardThe Merry Perryshe was enthralled. Holding Perry’s hand as her feet gently landed on the deck, she was captivated. She loved everything about the narrowboat. It’s cute kitchenette, little wood burner, round windows and cosy living space. It was all so quaint, like another world waiting to whisk you away.
Sailing along the canal, Bunty relished the serenity of it all. Sat outside on the decking, she had time to appreciate all the surrounding wonderful nature and wildlife. Bunty gazed in awe at a kingfisher plunging down to catch food, the silver-backed fish, the frogs hopping in the bulrushes and the shadows on the still water. Birdsong could be heard in the nearby trees, as the sun shone through their green lush branches. It was a different way of life, for sure; one which she could easily become accustomed to. She felt good to be in a small space, comfy and secure. A far cry from rattling around in a huge house like a pea in a drum. A lot less hassle to maintain too, thought Bunty wryly.
‘There you go.’ Perry handed her a tin mug of steaming coffee, freshly brewed from the stove.
‘Ah, lovely thanks.’
He sat next to her on the cushioned seating. ‘So, you’re selling up then?’
Bunty gave a sigh. ‘Yes, it’s time.’
Perry nodded sagely, knowing how hard it must be for her.
‘The estate agent is coming in a few days.’ There was a short silence, before Bunty looked sideways at him. ‘Will you be there, when they come, as moral support?’
‘Of course I will,’ Perry replied without hesitation. He wanted to support her in any way possible, even if it meant revisiting the house where he had been made to feel so inferior. But that hadn’t been caused as much by the place as its occupant at the time, when all was said and done, he rationalised.
