Chapter Twenty-Five
‘Oh my goodness, Nathan, this is perfect!’ Lisa took in the sight of the transformation the most recent renovations had made. Since returning from France, just over a month ago, she had spent less time staying at Nathan’s place while work on converting the lower levels from the separate flats Nathan had almost completed, into a single dwelling took place. Nathan had pulledin favours from friends, and even the members of his watch had helped out where needed. The hallway had been opened up. The ground floor now consisted of a cloakroom with toilet, and a dayroom – leading through an archway to a kitchen-diner, with patio doors onto the currently still-overgrown garden that Pete was due to landscape for them. Original Edwardian features, such as the ornate tiles,fireplaces, ceiling roses and picture rails had been kept while the clean lines and open-plan living gave a modern feel. Lisa’s eyes boggled as she attempted to take it all in. The rooms were light, bright and airy in the June sunshine.
‘Do you like it?’ Nathan looked at Lisa, his expression unsure.
‘It’s wonderful. As flats the building was impressive, but now … wow!’
Nathan grinnedwith relief, Lisa’s approval making him more eager to show her the rest.
On the first floor, there was a further toilet and more formal lounge with views of the sea.
‘I thought this would be cosier in the evening. But I guess we’ll work it all out, once we start to live in it.’
Once we start to live in it.Lisa could hardly believe that the coming months would see her not only becominga mum but also living with Nathan, in the beautiful home he had worked so hard to make for them. ‘Of course.’
The second floor consisted of a double bedroom with en-suite and a nursery. Lisa and Nathan had purchased much of the equipment they would need for the baby but still had to finish decorating and to put it all in place. Lisa couldn’t wait to unpack everything. Felicity had generouslybought a baby bath full of “essentials” for them – some of which Lisa wasn’t entirely sure she knew the purpose of, but hoped to have time to read up on before the baby arrived. She’d also received some gifts for the baby from clients; including a fleece blanket from Toby the Newfoundland’s owner that she was pretty sure was meant for a dog.
The third floor remained as the flat Sam, Alex andnow Brett shared, but plans were afoot to remove the kitchen area and to create two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, starting as soon as they moved out.
Lisa was pleased there was no hurry to alter the top floor; it held special memories of rediscovering Nathan and rebuilding their relationship. They could merely reassign the use of the rooms once they were using the lower levels as theirmain living area. Nathan wanted to set up some gym equipment. His job meant he had to keep fit and, while Felicity and Melissa had teased Lisa that being able to ogle Nathan doing a workout was a bitFifty Shades, she had no objections to that prospect.
She and Nathan had also spoken about setting up an office area where she and Flick could have a desk and a whiteboard from which to coordinatetheir pet-sitting. With two – or two-and-a-half if you counted Fred – of them on the job, their reputation of offering one-to-one care and friendly, reliable service was growing. Recommendations meant business was booming. Lisa was also keeping up her magazine work and having somewhere to store the items sent for review would be beneficial. While some, such as the lead, had a quick turnaround,others took longer to test out – either due to the nature of the product, or her ability to use the item correctly and test it fairly.Who knew a rabbit harness could be so difficult to put on?Despite his owners giving permission, Doc McFluffins had been less compliant about the whole situation.
Aware Lisa was lost for words as she took everything in, Nathan spoke, ‘Once Florian’s finishedpainting the rooms he’s agreed to do a mural in the nursery. You just need to decide what you want him to paint.’
‘Wow! Really? That would be amazing.’ An image slipped into Lisa’s mind. She knew what she wanted, and just needed to speak to Florian before divulging it to Nathan.
‘Yes, but I’ve given him strict instructions that your mum can’t help.’
Lisa giggled as they made theirway up the stairs. Her mum’s painting had significantly improved under Florian’s one-to-one tuition but remained a little abstract.
‘How’s he finding staying at your parents’ place?’ Nathan held the door open for Lisa.
Uno came to greet them, miaowing.
‘Good, but he says between Mum’s cooking and Winnie’s biscuits, he’s putting on weight.’ Lisa crouched to stroke the cat as Nathanslipped his trainers off.
‘So Florian has the Winnie seal of approval?’ Nathan had met Winnie when Lisa took him round for a cup of tea. It had taken her a while and a lecture on never hurting Lisa before she offered him a biscuit, but once she had, he felt more than welcome.
‘Well, she’s added palmiers to the custard creams and ginger nuts in the barrel. I’d say she’s got them marriedoff in her mind.’
‘Palm what?’
‘Palmiers – French biscuits.’
‘Wow, he must have made a good impression.’
‘Of course, he has. He’s adorable.’
‘Adorable?’ Nathan raised an eyebrow, looking at Lisa bemused as they made their way to the kitchen.
‘You know – charming, sweet but with an obvious intelligence behind his eyes.’
‘Really?’ Nathan scoffed, propping himself againstthe doorframe while Lisa got Uno’s bowl.
‘Yes, not my type at all.’
‘Ha! Thanks for that.’ Nathan laughed.
