‘Ewww.’ The thought of workmen with sledgehammers smashing Laura’s lovely coloured walls makes me wince. Although it might have been a less dramatic reaction if I’d had more food and less beer. That’s the trouble with lunchtime drinking. It makes me so thirsty my fizz barely touches the sides before it’s gone.
Sophie’s eyes flash. ‘It doesn’t have to be like that, Clemmie. You don’thaveto accept.’
I sigh. ‘I damn well won’t sell to him, but I might have to sell to someone. He’s explained the situation. If I keep the flat I need to find a bomb to fund joint repairs.’
Nell cocks her head. ‘Exactly what size incendiary device are we talking here?’ The accountant in her always insists on the price down to the last penny.
I hesitate and lean forward for a refill. ‘Ten grand by September. Maybe more.’ That thought is enough for me to down my next glass too.
‘Shit.’ Plum lets out a whistle. ‘In that case you’re probably stuffed.’ It’s not mean, she’s simply taking a realistic view of my finances. She understands because she stretched to the limit and then some to get the gallery going.
Sophie shakes her head. ‘Not so fast. You and Plum might not be best friends with your bank managers, but Nell and I are better placed.’ Her multi-million turnover can blind her to what real life’s like for the rest of us.
Nell looks thoughtful. ‘We could tide you over?’
I blow in frustration. ‘It’s awesome of you to offer, but even if I wanted to keep the flat, I couldn’t accept. I’d have no hope of paying back a loan that big on what I earn.’
‘Can your mum help?’ Plum knows we’re on shaky ground here.
I pull a face. ‘When Mum and Harry laughingly call their trip the “Spend the Inheritance Tour” it’s not a joke. They’re volunteering, but it’s the kind you pay for.’ My mum was always sensitive about me getting this place, but at least it gave her the green light to enjoy her savings. They plan to spend the lot while they’re fit enough, see the countries she never got to because I came along. ‘This is the last place I’d ask them to change their plans for.’
Nell pulls a face. ‘Leave it with us. If there’s a way to keep you here, we’ll think of it.’
I’m biting my thumbnail as I agonise, because I don’t want to lead them on. ‘I probably do want to sell, because I can’t think how the hell things would work otherwise. But it would be nice to have a choice.’ I can’t remember being anywhere that made me feel so instantly secure and comfortable. I know I’ll always be a wanderer, but it would still be amazing to keep this place as a safe haven. Although that’s probably not a luxury my empty bank account will run to.
Sophie lets out a snort. ‘You can’t be backed into a corner by a man with a hostess trolley, even if he does have beautiful glasses.’ She holds her flute up to the light, then finishes the half-inch of fizz she accepted. ‘So are we going to make a move? I’m taking this lot home for supper, if you’re hungry?’
Nell grins. ‘Or even better, come with Plum and I on the Singles’ All the Sixes evening. That’s six bars in six hours.’
After so many bottles of real ale I can’t think of anything worse. ‘Since when did you want a boyfriend, Plum?’ We’ve always been the two who are entirely happy on our own.
She laughs. ‘Definitely not looking for one of those, but Nell’s pub crawls are too good to miss.’
As I stand up and stretch, my head feels like it’s filled with cotton wool. ‘I’d barely begun to look around when Diesel and Charlie arrived. Maybe I should stay here tonight.’ Note to self: getting pissed in the afternoon and ending up a prisoner in the attic is off-the-scale bad. But at least this way I avoid staggering down two flights of stairs when my legs feel like they belong to someone else,andI get out of a night out with the dreaded Singles’ Club. That’s a result all round. Although I have to admit my half-drunken self is feeling a sudden pang for what I’m about to give up here. ‘Make the most of it while I can, and all that?’
Nell frowns at me. ‘For one time only, we’ll let you off the singles’ event. So long as you have us all round for brunch tomorrow.’
Plum’s staring out of the doors to the balcony. ‘Good idea. I’m missing this view already and I haven’t left yet.’
Sophie’s on her feet. ‘I know exactly what you mean, Plum. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again. Way too good for Charlie Hobnob.’ She’s scooping up Maisie from the sofa. ‘We’ll bring the food, Clemmie, be ready. Brainstorming begins at eleven sharp tomorrow. This is one fight I promise we’ll win.’
So, it’s official. We’re going into battle. That’s Sophie all over. But right now, all I can think of is making my way to the pink haven of the bedroom, and crawling under the quilt.
7
In the flat at Seaspray Cottage
Ice cubes and cold feet
Saturday
I’m standing on the balcony next morning, breathing in the sharp salty air, watching the figures along the water’s edge and the sand clouds whipping up the beach. It turns out ten minutes of having your face blown off is a great way to wake up even if it makes your hair go wild. I’m just about to go inside when a shout drifts up from the garden.
‘Hi, Clemmie, how was your first night at Seaspray Cottage?’
Peering down, I catch sight of a grey wagging tail, then Charlie comes into view, craning his neck to look up, blinking in the sunlight.
‘Great, thanks.’ I’m not telling him that once I’d slept off the beer and champagne, the waves crashing up the beach kept me awake until the tide went out again. Give me the lull of traffic and police sirens any night. ‘How did you know I stayed?’ As if me standing out here at the crack of dawn wasn’t enough of a clue.
