Page 58 of The Runaway Wives

I think we should set a reserve for £3,750.

I agree.

She was happy to leave it to Simon, he knew what he was doing and she trusted him.

Meanwhile, she wanted to tidy up a little. Edna had kept the house fairly clean, but things like curtains and windows were a lot for a woman of her age. She’d give it all a deep clean, as a thank you to Edna. She was sure the older woman would be delighted. She took off the cushion covers and put them in the washing machine, then took down the curtains and started cleaning the windows. She’d just finished doing the lounge windows when Simon phoned her to tell her that the brooch had sold to an online bidder for £5,750. She couldn’t believe it. That was a clear £5,000 profit, taking out Simon’s commission. That, and her wages, should see her through until the divorce settlement came through, especially as Edna was allowing her to live in the cottage for such a minimal rent. The financial pressure was off. ‘Thank you, Grandma,’ she whispered, sending a silent prayer to her late grandmother.

Another message pinged in. It was from Kenny asking if he could pop in and see her as there was something he wanted to talk about regarding the Artists’ Studios before they met up with the others tonight.

‘Of course, I’m in all afternoon,’ she replied.

‘Half an hour okay?’

‘Perfect.’

They’d sit out in the garden, she decided. It looked like June was going to be a warm month and already the temperature was well into the mid-twenties. She went upstairs to quickly freshen up and change out of the jeans and T-shirt she’d worn for cleaning, brush her hair and apply a bit of make-up. She glanced at her watch. She needed to get a move on, Kenny would be here any minute. She’d put a jug of home-made lemonade into the fridge this morning, she took some ice cubes out of the freezer and dropped them into the jug then took two clean glasses out of the cupboard. Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

‘No Toffee?’ she asked in surprise. Kenny usually took his beloved dog everywhere with him.

‘I thought I’d better leave him at home, I don’t want him upsetting Snowy.’ Kenny followed her inside. ‘He’s had a long walk this morning so he’s happy to stay and sleep.’

‘A wise decision, although they will have to get used to each other at some point as Edna kindly said I can stay here until my divorce is settled,’ Dee remarked as Snowy wandered in through the back door and curled up in his basket.

‘You’ve put in for the divorce?’ Kenny asked.

‘Yes, I saw the solicitor on Thursday.’ Dee picked up the jug of iced lemonade out of the fridge. ‘Shall we sit outside?’

‘Sure.’ Kenny picked up the two glasses and followed her out, they both settled down at the little table in the back garden. Dee filled the two glasses, handing one to Kenny then took a sip of her drink, letting the cold lemonade slide down her throat before replying more fully to his question. ‘The solicitor said the decree nisi will be through in a few weeks providing Nigel cooperates and doesn’t delay for time.’ She’d been surprised at that. ‘Hopefully we can then work out a fair financial settlement. I don’t expect that Nigel will be on his own for long.’

‘Does that bother you?’

‘Not at all. He wasn’t faithful when we were together so isn’t likely to be now we’ve split up, is he?’

‘You were right to leave him,’ Kenny said. ‘It will take you a bit of time to adjust, but you’ll make a new life for yourself, you’ll see.’

‘I’m sure I will. To be honest, I still can’t take it all in. I can’t believe that I’m living on my own after all these years.’

‘It takes time. It took me years to get over losing Margot. Although I guess a bereavement is different,’ Kenny said.

He was right, losing someone you love was surely much harder than a divorce, her divorce anyway. She and Nigel had grown apart. Babs and Geoff still loved each other, and it would be awful if they split up. Come to think of it, she hadn’t heard from Babs for a couple of days, she’d have to message her tonight and see how the house viewing trip went.

‘What was it you wanted to talk about?’ she asked, suddenly remembering his message.

‘I wanted your opinion. You might be able to look at things more objectively as an outsider – I mean as you don’t permanently live in the village,’ he added hastily. ‘A local businessman wants to invest in the Artists’ Studios. He said he wants to give back to the community.’

‘That’s very noble of him! And I don’t see any problem with that,’ Dee said. Unless it was the person rather than the money people would object to, she realised. ‘Who is he? Are you allowed to say?’

Kenny’s eyes met hers over the rim of his glass. He put it down on the table. ‘He wants me to keep it a secret.’

Dee frowned. ‘Why?’

‘If I tell you, will you promise not to breathe a word? It’s top secret so I need you to promise not to divulge it to the others yet.’

Dee considered this. She didn’t really like secrets but this was fantastic news for the Artists’ Studios and she wanted to find out more. She really did want to be involved, it was a cause she believed in, and she wanted to encourage the talented artists she’d seen at the garden party.

‘I promise,’ she said firmly.

‘He’s a property developer and at the moment is involved in a lot of backlash over a new development he’s planning.’

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