‘That’s why I’m putting so much emphasis on that phase. We should know in the next few weeks whether we’ve been successful.’ Nic hadn’t asked for his father’s opinion, and he was starting to worry bringing him here was a bad idea. He was a brusque man, likely to say the wrong thing and put their chances with the council in jeopardy.
‘Dad, listen…’ he started to say.
Giorgos looked more serious. ‘While I was going through your plans, I noticed a cabin standing in the way of the marina driveway, blocking the entrance to the car park. I saw it physically this morning, just down from your house.’
Nic took a quick look at his dad through the rear-view mirror before fixing his eyes back on the road. ‘I’m aware of it.’
‘Well, I would hope so. What are your plans for buying the owner out?’
‘I’m handling it,’ he said offhandedly, as they approached the hotel where the Spring into Summer Swim was being hosted. He quickly changed the subject by pointing out the signs announcing Castle Enterprises as the sponsor. If he saw Aria today, he would concentrate on persuading her to move in with him so he could accelerate further acquisition before the policy change. He parked in the overflow car park, and Theo’s number flashed up on his phone. He dropped behind to take the call.
‘There’s an insane offer on the table for that extra land we were after,’ his brother garbled.
‘How much?’
‘They’ve upped the bid by twelve thousand and it’ll go north of there.’
Nic shrugged. ‘We talked about going up to seven figures.’
‘We’re already at seven figures.’
‘Use another fifty at your discretion, then.’
Theo whistled. ‘For some grassy scrub leading down to a glorified pond? Are you sure? It’s a reach. Original projections were—’
‘Woefully wrong. This is make or break, Theo. You and I both know we need to build and sell all of the houses we planned. The marina will take up the east side. We need the extra land for the leisure complex, parking and homes. I’m wondering about a social housing offer too. Do we know who the rival bidder is?’
‘The owner of a caravan site – multiple sites, to be exact. I did some research. The family business has grown quickly, buying up chunks of the South Lakes.’
‘The Hetheringtons.’ It couldn’t be anyone else. They had a grip on the caravan park market. ‘This is the new Wild West, and we need to go in all guns blazing. I have to go. There’s a swim—’
‘Hey, wait! Are you taking part?’
‘No, but I forgot to tell you I bought walking boots a while back.’ Nic chuckled. He’d enjoyed his time with his brother, although he still felt bad about deceiving him. ‘Oh,and I’ve asked the estate agent to hang fire on showing the villa for now.’
‘But that was a magnet for—’
‘Only for a couple of weeks, so I can stay on and get this project nailed. The view from the balcony calms me down every time everything goes tits up.’
‘I thought you were allergic to fresh air?’ Theo laughed before ringing off. Nic paused, his hand still holding the phone. He’d been for a walk after breakfast, had started consciously deep-breathing whenever he went outside and was identifying trees using an app. Was the countryside rubbing off on him? But it wasn’t like he hated nature in London, he just hadn’t made time to notice it. He shook his head and chuckled. If he carried on like this, he was in danger of heading to an auction house and looking at the backsides of sheep.
25
Belinda had printed off all their literature at work and laid it out on a stall just inside the entrance. When Aria rocked up, she was pleased with the spread of information. She was less happy to see the Castle Enterprises logo splashed all over the signage, yet another attempt by Nic to buy his way into their world. Did he ever sleep? She was looking forward to standing at the stall later, talking about the Lakeland issues, and, if he showed his face, she would shove a leaflet at him before putting him out of his misery about his offer. But for now, her priority was registering. She’d thought long and hard about whether to swim today. It felt hypocritical, given her public stance about lake toxins. But the organisers would have tested the water thoroughly to ensure it was clean enough to enter, and she’d missed out on the last two.She was doing this for Dad. She shook off her worries as she entered the tent where swimmers registered before they proceeded to the changing rooms.
To Aria’s delight, Sophie had swapped her officious cashier role for a sneering sports official and was sorting someone out with their badge. ‘Take a look on the desk for your envelope.They’re all in alphabetical order. It contains your bracelet and a hot drink voucher. The shower block is in front of the tent and the event will be preceded by a group warm-up. Have a nice day and please don’t drown on my watch.’ After her speech, Sophie picked up her phone to doom-scroll, leaving them to wander off. As she approached, Aria scanned the crowd for Nic and came up short. Reaching the table, she grinned at her friend, who gave her a high-five.
‘When does your shift end? Want to have a drink with me after the swim?’
Sophie shrugged. ‘I get off approximately ten seconds after they all bust their balls to get wet. Until then, I am destined to be stuck behind this desk nannying the penguins.’ Aria giggled, wondering if Nic had ever experienced a local swimming event. During her time in the south-east, she hadn’t been to a single coffee morning in her neighbourhood, let alone the summer fayres, vegetable shows and torchlight processions many Lakeland towns organised. Had he ever had the joy of betting where a ferret would run when sent down a plastic tube or what square a rooster might poop in? Her gaze landed on the wording of the envelopes, stamped with the recognisable Castle Enterprises brand. ‘Huh? Since when was it a race?’
‘I know! No longer an all-inclusive fun event to bring the community together. That went out the window when my employer put up a prize.’
‘The supermarket provided a reward? But the envelopes have Castle Enterprises all over them and so do the banners.’
Sophie officiously rearranged a line of envelopes. ‘God no, the ground will rip apart in a fissure the size of the Netherlandsbefore our new trainee manager comes up with an initiative of his own.’
Aria let it drop as she remembered her school friend always mixed and matched the narrative in her quest to tell a good story. ‘Do you have my envelope?’ she asked. ‘I think it might be hiding behind one of the others.’
