‘All my life. I was born here. My mother’s family built it in the Thirties. They had such a passion for the art deco era,’ she told him wistfully.
Anthony looked genuinely transfixed. He too, despite his straitlaced exterior, had a real interest in the Arts and Crafts movement, hence his allocation to this property. Although appearing po-faced, his zeal for selling such properties as this was second to none. He was a stickler and his attention to detail was remarkable. This was evident by the many questions he asked Bunty and the notes he made.
After a full tour of the house and grounds, Anthony Armstong-James was more than satisfied.
‘I shall commence with the marketing campaign, arrange a photographer to visit and draft an advertisement for the website tomorrow. Once you have perused and approved it, Grand & Country will press full steam ahead.’ He smiled for the first time, with real gusto.
It confirmed Bunty’s choice in estate agents. This Anthony seemed to know his stuff, she thought.
‘Rest assured, Ms Deville, your home is in safe hands. Grand & Country will manage the sale of your house and ensure you get the best possible price it deserves.’
Good, thought Bunty, feeling thankful.
‘When can we arrange an open day?’ asked the agent.
Her head shot up sharply.
‘A what?’
‘An open day,’ he replied calmly. ‘A property such as this requires full exposure, an opportunity for prospective buyers to wander round and appreciate the grandeur.’
‘But they’d get that when viewing it,’ said a slightly confused Bunty.
Anthony gave a tinkle of laughter. ‘No, no, no, we need to dress the house andreallyshowcase it,’ he said with fervour, eyes shining with enthusiasm.
‘Dress the house?’ questioned Perry, who was a little perplexed too.
‘Yes, put in extra pieces, plants, accessories, garden furniture, et cetera. I’m thinking copper moulds for the kitchen, a grand piano for the hall, a gramophone for the drawing room—’
‘I alreadyhavea gramophone,’ Bunty cut in tersely, now beginning to feel irritated and a touch defensive.
‘Excellent!’ gushed Anthony and clapped his hands.
He really was on fire for the place, Bunty admitted to herself in defeat. An open day it was then.
Chapter 32
Waiting for Bunty’s arrival, Jack and Robin exchanged grins – they were about to show her round the cottage and were keen to see her reaction. Although they knew the renovation was done to a high spec, they hoped the choice of decor met Bunty’s high standards. Both Jack and Robin still found it hard to picture her living in the cottage, it being such a contrast to what she’d always been familiar with. This characterful, flintstone cottage was very pretty, but so small and humble compared to the huge art deco house. Not to mention having been born and raised in the home; inevitably she must have a very strong attachment to the place, and those kinds of emotional bonds were hard to break…
‘I just hope Bunty knows what she’s doing,’ said Jack with unease.
‘So do I,’ replied Robin. ‘I doubt her house will sit on the market too long.’
It seemed so strange to see the imposing house up for sale in glossy brochures and on the internet. He’d got to hand it to her estate agents though, they were absolutely pulling out all the stops. The idea of an open day was genius.
‘Maybe that’s something for us to think about in future,’ Jack remarked, reading his mind.
‘Why, what are you planning on restoring next?’ asked Robin half laughing. He doubted they would ever be working on something of such calibre as Bunty’s house.
‘You never know Rob, think big,’ Jack answered, ever mindful of expanding their business.
Jasmine had viewed the finished cottage the day before and was most impressed.
Bunty was going to love it; she knew for a fact. Then she wondered to herself if Perry might come along to the viewing. How would he feel having lived in there previously? He’d certainly see a difference. She remembered when she’d come to view both cottages for the first time, with their rotten window frames, peeling wallpaper, grotty kitchens, mouldy bathrooms and the pervasive smell of damp. The transformation was incredible and the value of the cottages must have soared, even when taking into consideration what had been spent on the renovation work.
This prompted Jasmine to think about the profound turn of events over such a short amount of time. Bunty hadn’t known at the time of selling them that she would in fact be buying one back. And Jasmine hadn’t known at the time of viewing how she would meet Robin and form such a good friendship with Bunty. It was funny how life had a habit of working out. Such remarks had been bandied about when losing Tom and she had dismissed them with scorn. She only prayed everything would work out for Bunty with Perry. Things were certainly looking promising so far, according to all the feedback she was getting.
Bunty had had her in stitches when impersonating the estate agent.
