Page 66 of Persuading Penny
“Say thank you, Boris,” Mum said. “Simply say thank you.”
“Thank you seems so inadequate.”
“And as far as moving to the States is concerned...”Cliff went on.
Mum held her breath.
“I have a lot of work to do here in the UK. Here in Bath, near London, northern England, and I’m hoping to take time to visit Scotland and Ireland.”
“And then...?”
Cliff smiled. “Then I plan to settle right here in Bath. I’ve been looking around for an appropriate property; something big enough, homey enough, beautiful enough...”
Dad gave him a hard slap on the shoulder. “Look no further, son.” He gestured to the property surrounding us. Copperfield Corner is the perfect spot for you two to settle down and raise a family.”
“I appreciate that, Mr.Copperfield, but...”
“Of course, Molly and I wouldn’t stay here. No, no, no. I’m quite ready to move to a smaller place. This property is just too much work. I realize that now. Oh, I might have grumbled a bit about the smaller cottage, but I’ve come to appreciate a property that requires less work.”
“Dad,” I whispered, surprised by his declaration. “But you love Copperfield Corner. You’ve been fretting about losing it for so long. We could help you with the work that needs to be done.”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t be losing it, dear. You’d be moving here. You’d have Copperfield Corner. It’s not like I’m selling it to strangers. And soon, my grandkids will be running around this place. What more can an old man ask for?”
“Oh, Boris,” Mum cried, holding her hand over her mouth. “I’ve been longing to move to the heart of Bath. I’ve had my eye on a unit at Royal Crescent for weeks now.”
“Royal Cresent?”I said. “That’s where Keely lives.”
“Seems like everything is working out for the best,” Cliff said. “You two will be in the heart of Bath, Penny will retain her childhood home, and I’ll be able to work on my unfinished documentary without rushing. I can take all the time in the world.”
EPILOGUE
While I’d never beenthe sea and sand type, I fell in love with Bali. Everything enchanted me; the scents, the sunrises and sunsets, the beautiful beaches, the crystalline water, the food and the wonderful people.
But two weeks later, as we landed in London and then drove back to Bath, I was eager to move into my own house, only now as the matriarch of the home. It felt so strange, taking my parents’ house and now making it my own.
Cliff immediately fell in love with the place and while he wanted to make a few changes, he was respectful of the original architecture of the house and of the time capsule it was.
