‘What kind of property are you looking for around here?’
‘Not sure yet. I’ll have a look around while I’m staying at the B&B. I sold my houses back home a while back, and I’m about to put my flat up for sale, but I—’
‘Houses? Plural?’
Will unfolded another cardboard box. He’d lost count how many he’d already filled. ‘Yeah, I bought a few properties years ago. I have a mate whose dad is a property developer, so he taught his son to invest in that area, and he passed that knowledge on to me. Something for the future.’
Marie wrinkled her nose. ‘Wish I’d bought my house when I was young.’
‘You still can.’
‘I’m forty, and my other half had to stop work due to medical problems, so we can’t afford to go down that road now.’ She sighed as she gestured across the living room. ‘Your gran hasgone into a lovely home thanks to the money she has from this place. You don’t think about those things when you’re young.’
‘I wouldn’t have thought about buying property if it weren’t for my friend.’
‘You’re staying in Seaview B&B, up by the Jolly Pirate, right?’
He nodded, tugging at parcel tape with his teeth.
‘There’s an estate agency just round the back. Check them out to see what’s available . . . Ooh, and pop in to the Happy to Help Hub. It’s just along Harbour End Road. They have a noticeboard up on their wall. All sorts of numbers on there. Never know, might be something about local work or homes to rent. It’s a drop-in centre, so no appointment needed.’
‘Thanks. I might check it out after I’ve taken this lot to the charity shop.’
A knock on the street door interrupted them.
‘I’ll go,’ said Marie. ‘It’ll be the people from Use Again.’
Will followed her, ready to help with removals. He figured he’d get that sorted, head off to the charity shop, then grab some lunch before checking out the estate agency and Hub.
Most of the furniture went off to the second-hand centre, leaving the cottage looking as empty as he felt. He tried to imagine what it was like back when the family were happy, then hoped the new owner would have better luck.
Marie swung around the door frame. ‘Right, I’m off. I can help again for a couple of hours tomorrow, but that’s all the spare time I have, I’m afraid.’
‘Thanks, Marie. You’ve gone above and beyond. The skip will be here first thing for the rest of the rubbish, and I’ve only got a few trips left to the charity shop. Honestly, you don’t need to come back.’
‘I’d still like to. Gives me a chance to say goodbye to the old place. I’ve been your gran’s carer for near on ten years I feel a bit attached to the cottage.’
‘You’re a good person, Marie.’
She flapped one hand while the other swiped away an escaped tear. ‘Ah, just doing my job.’
He waved her off, thinking he wouldn’t be able to do her job. But that indeed he was in need of a job himself. Money wasn’t a problem — he didn’t financially need to work — but he still liked to keep occupied. Plus, he wanted to mix with people, not being one for his own company.
He loaded his dark pickup truck with the charity bags and headed off. At least his grandmother was keeping him busy for now.
The volunteers at the charity shop thanked him for the items, told him not to bring any more, as their shop was full, gave him the addresses of others, then expressed their sadness about his gran’s situation.
Will was taken aback. He hadn’t expected anyone there to know Babs, but then his knowledge of Port Berry was limited, seeing how he’d only arrived a couple of weeks back. Surely they couldn’t all know each other though.
He entered the Happy to Help Hub, simultaneously rubbing his nose as the scent of lavender irritated his nostrils. The small hub was empty of people, so he strolled to the noticeboard to browse the pinned cards.
A place called the Sunshine Centre caught his attention first. Rest, recuperation, catering for all disabilities, arts, baking, sensory room — volunteers always needed. That one was only next door in Penzance. He was definitely putting that on his to-do list.
‘They’d appreciate ex-navy over there, son,’ said a man’s voice.
Will turned to the back room where a fella in his seventies stood in the doorway. There was no way the man knew he wasonce in the Royal Navy; the only two people Will knew in Port Berry were his gran and Marie.
Ah, wait, the owner of the B&B. Yep, that’ll do it. She had gossip written all over her.
