‘You’re practically fizzing.’
‘Oh, I am not. You must have realised by now that I’m the cool and collected type.’
‘See, that’s what I thought, but you have a habit of constantly showing me I’m mistaken.’
‘Yes, well. I was until I ended up here. I don’t know whether it’s in the water or the air but certainly something has sent my entire being off kilter. I can only hope it rectifies itself before long.’
Jesse got out then turned and bent to look in. ‘I don’t know. I kind of like this version of you.’ And with that, he closed the door.
‘The house was built four years ago, architect-designed with input from the current owner.’ Jesse explained as we entered. ‘He spends a lot of time out of the country, especially as he’s now partially retired. Apparently, there’s brilliant golf over in the US.’ Jesse shrugged at this and I had to admit, I couldn’t see the attraction either. ‘So, it’s going up for sale. The furniture has already been shipped out to a house he’s bought in the States so he wants this one staged in order to get the best price.’
‘That’s a sensible decision. At any price band, you’re selling a lifestyle, but especially once one’s into the millions with this kind of property, then staging is definitely something to consider.’
‘Exactly. Do you want to have a look around?’
‘Please.’
* * *
The six-bedroom house overlooked the sea and was set in four acres with a high degree of privacy, professionally landscaped gardens and a private helipad. Inside there was a balconied master bedroom also overlooking the water, which included a large dressing room and en suite with a freestanding bath. The five other bedrooms were well proportioned, with floor-to-ceiling windows making it a wonderfully light and airy property. The kitchen was the stuff of culinary dreams and an indoor swimming pool with two tri-fold doors opening onto a patio area made the package complete in its luxury.
‘What do you think?’
‘I think, when can I move in?’ I replied, only half joking.
‘I know the feeling. It’s stunning, isn’t it?’
I walked to the window in the living area and looked out at the sea, turquoise in the sunshine and punctuated by the odd white horse as the wind began to whip a little more than it had been earlier. I’d always lived in London and holidays by the sea had meant a beach in Aruba or Nice. But there was something more raw, more vital – despite certainly being more cold – here than any of those exotic and lusted-after destinations had held.
‘Do you mind if I make some notes and take some photos? I’ll need a budget to work to, of course, and if there are any dos or don’ts I need to know about before we start.’
‘Sure. There’s a pad of paper in the truck. I’ll grab that, and I printed out a contract too. Just in case you went for it.’ He grinned. ‘So you can read that through before you start.’
A couple of minutes later, Jesse was back with all the paperwork as well as a flask of coffee and a small tub of home-made goji-berry biscuits.
‘New recipe Jules is trying out. I’m her go-to guinea pig,’ he said, offering me one. ‘She knows I’m honest enough to tell her the truth.’
‘Where does that leave me?’ I asked and took a bite. ‘Ooh, never mind!’ I said, covering my mouth with my hand. ‘These are amazing!’
We were sitting on the patio steps, looking out to sea but sheltered from the wind by the clever planting of the hedges and trees that provided a wind break. The sea washed the shore then drew back and gulls swooped and dived in the blue, cloud-studded sky. I sipped on the dark, rich coffee and studied the contract Jesse had given me.
‘J Woods Property Development.’ I read the top of the contract.
‘Mm-hmm.’ His eyes were focused on the horizon.
‘It’s your company?’
‘Mm-hmm.’
‘And when were you going to tell me that?’
‘I wasn’t sure if you’d take the position if you knew it was working directly with me. You were already concerned it was a pity offer before I’d barely said anything.’
I didn’t miss his use of the wordwithas opposed tofor. Just as he’d corrected me when the trade guys had been arriving. He was certainly not a man who thought himself better, or less, than anyone else. And that was incredibly attractive.
Felicity. Focus!
Twenty minutes later, I was officially a contractor and in my element making notes in the fresh notepad I’d been handed and snapping photos of the rooms from all angles. Ideally, I liked to come back in the afternoon to see how the light changed and if that made any difference to the thoughts I was already having. I mentioned the possibility to Jesse.
