Page 24 of Reach for the Stars
‘No need to apologise.’
‘I hadn’t been up here since he got it. I only found out he was selling it once it was a done deal but had understood that the work was finished. He didn’t use anyone local on the job so I had no idea what a state it was actually in when he sold.’
‘That’s a shame. By the looks of your house, if you’d been involved, I’d have at least got what I paid for.’
Jesse remained silent.
‘It’s my own fault. I should have come and looked at it. That’s what you get for making important life choices in the midst of clearing a month’s worth of wine subscription in less than a week.’
Jesse blew out a breath. ‘That’s a lot of wine.’
‘It was a lot of wine.’
‘I don’t understand how the sale was completed so quickly though.’
‘I have an ex who works in property. He’d told me if I ever wanted to sell my flat to contact him. So I did. He had a cash buyer ready who wanted it as soon as possible, I wanted to get out of London as soon as possible and this place was empty. Now I know why. But it’s amazing what can be achieved when there’s a lot of money involved. Within a few days, all the paperwork was signed so I couldn’t have pulled out if I’d wanted to.’ I paused. ‘That particular ex always did like to get things done quickly.’
Jesse rubbed his jaw but I didn’t miss the flash of amusement in his grey eyes.
‘But I’m certainly the one paying for it now.’
The dark brow creased. ‘Paying for it? We’ve all made hasty decisions, Felicity. Agreed, it’s probably best not to make such important ones while three sheets to the wind, but it’s not some sort of punishment. It’s just bad luck. If it had been me, I’d have had that tree removed during the renovation anyway. It was too close for comfort. But apparently my cousin was looking to do the bare minimum and make a quick killing. There will be legal measures you could take, you know? You’ve been sold a lemon.’
I leant on what was left of a pricey table, only for it to creak and falter, having soaked up the night’s rainfall. I stepped back. Clearly that was done for too. I looked at the matchsticks that had once been my sleigh bed. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. A new bed that had no associations with my former, failed relationship was perhaps a wise investment. But before I spent any more money, I needed to find out whether any of this was fixable and, if so, how much it was going to cost.
‘Can we make lemonade instead?’
‘Lemonade?’ Jesse asked, confused.
‘You’re right, this place is a massive lemon and, given the chance, I wouldn’t do it again.’ I looked up at him. ‘I know what I said last night but the truth is I’m here now. I burned my bridges in London so I need to make the best of what I’ve done. For the time being at least. In your experience, would it be possible to make something out of this place? Make lemonade out of a real lemon?’
Jesse scanned the room, the ceiling, the sky, before landing back on me.
‘I reckon so.’ And then he smiled and I couldn’t help smiling back.
7
We returned downstairs and I put the kettle on. I’m British, what can I say? If there was ever a moment for a cup of tea, this was it. A few minutes later, we were both sitting at the small breakfast table I’d put in the corner of the room near another draughty window so that I could read with my breakfast, two large bone-china mugs in front of us.
‘I’ve called in some help. They’ll be up shortly with some equipment to remove the tree and cover up the gap and make the house as weatherproof as possible.’
‘Thank you so much. I do appreciate all your help. Please send the bill to me, won’t you?’
Jesse shook his head. ‘There won’t be a bill. A few people owe me some favours.’ He shrugged his broad shoulders then took a sip of tea.
‘Yes, but they don’t owe me the favours, which means they, and you, need paying for the time you’re spending here.’
Jesse took another sip of tea, placed it carefully down on the table and turned towards me.
‘Felicity.’
‘Jesse.’
‘The fact that you’re in a house that wasn’t up to standard is down to a member of my family?—’
‘But not you.’
‘No. Not me. But in my eyes, that is just semantics.’
