Page 9 of It Always Snows on Mistletoe Square
Estelle smiles. ‘I have indeed. And that is why I need your help.’
I like the way she says help, as if it’s me doing her a favour, and not the other way round.
Angela has now poured herself a cup of tea. She draws up a chair and sits down between Estelle and me, facing the fire, and I wonder if she usually sits where I am, companionably chatting with Estelle about their day.
‘I want all the stories I know to be written down in one place for posterity,’ Estelle explains. ‘I have a friend in a publishing house that has promised to publish this book when it’s finished. It won’t be a bestseller, I know that, but just to know that my family and this house’s story won’t simply disappear when I go will be more than enough for me.’
Suddenly I feel quite sad that this old lady should have to pay someone – a stranger – to listen to her stories, instead of having children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren to share them with.
‘That’s where you come in,’ Estelle continues. ‘I need someone to sit and listen to all my stories and write them down – in a way that will make them interesting for future generations to read. I don’t want my family’s history to disappear when I do.’
‘I’m sure I could do that,’ I reply keenly.
‘I know you can,’ Estelle says. ‘That’s why you’re here.’
‘What Estelle means,’ Angela pipes up, ‘is that’s why we’re looking for the perfect person to tell the stories, because they’re so important to Estelle.’
‘I completely understand,’ I say with conviction. ‘I assure you I have plenty of writing experience. I got a first at Cambridge in English and History, then after I left university I worked at various publications – mostly local newspapers to begin with, before I took a job atPig Breeders Monthly.’ I look at them to see if they’ve heard of it. But unsurprisingly they both look blank. ‘After that I went freelance, and took work wherever I could get it, mainly on London-based newspapers like theEvening Standardand theMetro, and most recently I’ve been writing full time forYour Home and Historymagazine.’
‘That sounds more like it,’ Estelle says approvingly. ‘My doctor always had a copy of that in his waiting room whenever I visited, and he was a most discerning man. You have some experience in the history of houses then?’
‘A little, yes.’ I say, choosing not to mention that much of what I covered on the magazine was home makeovers with a period twist. ‘I can already tell this house will have the most amazing history, though. It’s totally understandable that you’d want to record it for the future.’
Estelle nods approvingly. ‘Would you be able to start immediately?’ she asks. ‘Am I right in thinking you have no ties keeping you elsewhere?’
I’m surprised by Estelle’s assumption. ‘Er, yes, you are right. No ties.’
‘Good. Good.’ Estelle nods. ‘Quite unusual for someone of your age though? I’m guessing you must be what, thirty-four?’
‘Wow, yes, spot on again, I am. I’m as free as a bird, I can assure you.’
‘And you would be happy to live in?’
‘Of course.’ I look around. ‘You really have a beautiful home. I’d have my own room, would I?’
‘You’d have the run of the whole first floor if you want it. I can’t get up the stairs any more, so we’ve converted the room adjacent to this one into my bedroom. Angela is on the top floor and she’s quite happy there – aren’t you, Angela?’
‘Yep, like all the poor housemaids before me, I live in the attic accommodation,’ Angela grumbles.
‘Oh, don’t listen to her. She loves it up there really.’
‘It does have some pretty special views,’ Angela agrees begrudgingly.
‘What’s on the second floor?’ I ask.
‘Nothing really – just my old junk and knick-knacks,’ Estelle says quickly. ‘Books, fancy china dinner services we no longer have the use for, that kind of thing.’
I nod.
‘My days of entertaining have long since passed,’ Estelle says sadly. ‘It will be good to have a new face in the house. You’re welcome to bring any friends round, or gentleman callers?’ she ventures. ‘I may be old, but I’m not a prude.’
I smile. ‘That won’t be necessary. I’m sworn off men right now, and friends for that matter,’ I add, thinking of both Owen and my now ex-bestie and ex-boss, Liam.
Estelle and Angela exchange an uneasy look, and I wonder why.
‘So there’s just one more thing I have to ask,’ Estelle says, her bright green eyes looking intently at me. ‘It’s actually one of the most important questions I have for you.’
‘Sure, go ahead.’ This interview has been so different from any other I’ve ever attended, Estelle could be about to ask me anything.
