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“Let’s go downstairs to the interesting part of the house.”
We trotted downstairs to the ground floor. The steps faced the small entry where I’d entered the house.
“You’ve seen the entry.” Harper pointed to the small area, which had a small wooden table pushed against one wall. Above was a wooden fixture with pegs for coats to be hung.
The next area on our right, as she showed me through to the living room, and I stood in the open doorway looking around. Three white leather couches with blue scatter cushions were placed in a u-shape with small tables in the corners. A wooden coffee table was positioned in the centre where it could be used by anyone sitting down. A large widescreen television set was mounted on the wall above a fireplace. An entire wall of windows had blue curtains drawn back and sunlight flooded the room. On each side of the fireplace were bookshelves stacked with books which I looked forward to checking out.
Harper started in the opposite direction, and I followed. “This is our kitchen, as you can see.”
The kitchen was light and bright, with a large window over the sink. The cupboards were polished wood with silver handles, and the countertops were grey with flecks. A long bench had four white leather stools. A pantry cupboard and six-seater dining room suite, also with white leather chairs, completed the room.
Next on the tour, off a passageway, was a storage room where suitcases and plastic boxes were stored. There was a powder room with a small sink and the laundry had a family-sized washer and dryer.
Harper led me through a door in the laundry and we descended four steps into the back garden. My eyes widened at the site of the swimming pool with a spa at one end that was surrounded by lush tropical plants. The lawns were as beautifully manicured as those in front. On an elevated deck area was an outdoor setting that sat eight and a barbeque big enough for entertaining.
“We have Ellie’s parents coming for dinner tomorrow night to meet you. Claire and Max are wonderful people, and they’ll treat you like a daughter, especially knowing you have no one here in the city.”
“I can’t wait to meet them. I’ll have to take photos and send them back to Marge at the post office so she can give them to Mum and Dad.”
“Post Office?”
“We only have satellite internet on the station, which can be rather temperamental, as well as expensive. However, the post office in town is on the network, so they let us use their computer.”
“Wow, you won’t know yourself being able to jump on the computer and internet surf anytime you like.”
“I’m not very computer literate, so I doubt I’ll use it very often. Instead, I prefer to read when I have the time.”
“Well, it’s there if you feel like checking out the world. Are you hungry?”
“No. Thanks. My brothers shouted me breakfast and they fed us on the plane. I’d love a coffee before unpacking, though.”
“Sure, I’ll show you where everything is while I make us a mug.”
I followed Harper back inside to the kitchen, where she flipped on the kettle before opening a drawer and pulling out a set of keys. “These are for you.”
I took them from her hand and shoved them into a pocket of my jeans.
Once the coffee was made, we took a seat at the table. I liked Harper a lot, looked forward to becoming good friends, and was going to love my new home.
Chapter Four
HUDSON
Owen poked his head around the door of my office a little after six. “Dinner and a drink?”
I sat back in my chair. “So, people are going to start talking. This is what, the fourth Friday night we’ve had dinner and ended up at The Myrtle Lounge?”
“Fifth, and why are you bitching? We usually end the night by getting laid.”
“True. Piccolos for dinner?”
“Yeah, seafood will be nice for a change.”
“Give me five to put this to bed and I’ll meet you down in the lobby.”
After Owen left, I finished reviewing the report I had open, saved everything to the external server, and closed down the computer. With everything secured, I pulled on my jacket and headed to the lift. It sped me down to the lobby and when I stepped out, Owen was speaking with one of the female security guards who were on duty. When he sighted me, I heard him say goodnight before meeting me at the door.
Stepping out into the warmth of a late summer’s night, we headed along George Street towards Piccolos.
