Louisa panicked and phoned Charlotte. Her friend dispensed her usual words of wisdom.
‘It can be done. With a lot of help, naturally. When do you have to let them know?’
‘First thing tomorrow. They’re due to fly back to Manchester in the afternoon. Apparently they had agreed on a house but the owner changed their mind at the last minute, deciding to sell instead. So, they’re pretty desperate. But so am I! I haven’t anywhere to live.’
‘Calm down, I’m sure there’s somewhere you could stay. You can come here if you can’t find something in Guernsey. But I’m sure Malcolm would put you up until you found a place. Either way, it’s not an issue. I think you’re panicking because you realise it’s time to move on. And sooner than you thought.’ Charlotte’s voice was gentle, sounding sympathetic.
Louisa knew she was right. She had been facing up to moving on since selling the business. It was just happening so fast…
‘So, what are you going to do?’
‘Accept, I guess. They seem ideal tenants and have glowing references, so the agent said. And they would be happy for me to leave some of the furniture as their own house is smaller. We’d have to agree on which bits, but that should be okay. I’m looking for something small in Guernsey so won’t need to take all that much.’
‘Good girl. I’ll give Fiona a ring and tell her to expect your call when you’ve finalised the details. She’ll be a big help, I promise. Several friends have used her to de-clutter their homes. Something I’m not in need of at the moment!’ she laughed.
It was too early to phone Paul, working until seven that night, so she rang Malcolm to get his viewpoint.
‘That’s great news, my dear. Can’t say I’m surprised it’s gone so quickly, it really is a beautiful house.’
‘It would have been even better if I hadn’t missed that house you sent me details of. Apparently it went that morning and would have been ideal for me.’
‘Something will turn up, it always does. Once you’ve got the ball rolling over there, why don’t you come over for a couple of days and look around for yourself? You’ll get a much better feel for the properties in the flesh, as it were. Stay with me and I’ll drive you around. Afraid we’re full at La Folie.’
‘Thanks, I’d like that. I should look for myself. Oh, and I’ve sold the business…’ She went on to explain the deal with Glenn and he sounded delighted. He had met Glenn when he went in to tell him about Louisa’s injury and she knew he had liked him.
‘That man’s got great people skills and is ideal to take over. That way there’s no outward change to the ownership, which is good. I’ve been thinking I should talk to him about a cross-promotion with La Folie. He could make all the booking and travel arrangements for guests. What do you think?’
They talked for a while longer before leaving it that Louisa would let him know when she could come over. She felt much more positive after the call so that by the time she phoned Paul, she had convinced herself that moving out of her home in a month’s time was a minor challenge rather than a disaster.
‘Hi, it’s me. I’ve got something exciting to tell you…’
The agent sounded pleased when Louisa phoned to accept the couple’s conditions. Louisa wasn’t surprised; the agency had earned a fat commission for very little work. The wife had asked, if the deal was on, if she could call round to discuss the furniture. Louisa was happy to agree and an hour later a beaming Mrs Saunders arrived. They walked round, each with their notepads, conferring on what could be left behind. It was all very amicable and an hour later they shook hands on what they had agreed. From Louisa’s point of view it had worked well, she would be saved either storing or selling furniture she might not yet need, but may want in the future. It was time to phone Fiona, the “de-clutter” lady.
Fiona turned out to be very similar to Charlotte, and Louisa was not at all surprised to learn they had been at school together. Like her friend, she was warm and friendly, if slightly bossy, and sympathetic to Louisa’s plight. It transpired that it was not the first time she had helped someone clear a house following a death. They went through each room methodically, making various lists: ‘To keep’, ‘To throw away’, ‘To sell’, ‘To store’, ‘Charity shop’. The worst part was going through her mother’s clothes and intimate possessions. Soon after Susan’s death, Margaret had chosen, with Louisa’s approval, a few pieces as mementoes of her beloved sister. At the time Louisa had not felt able to face a proper sort-out. Fiona was at her kindest, helping to fill black bin liners with clothes destined for charity shops; setting aside those to be sold at dress agencies. Fiona had all the requisite contacts and promised to arrange for collections. Going through the house took a whole day and by the end Louisa was as wrung out as a rag. After Fiona left, she crawled onto the sofa clutching her mother’s photo, and howled.
The next morning, after enjoying the sleep of the exhausted, Louisa woke determined to crack on and complete the necessary arrangements for her move. Although painful, the sifting through the house and its memories had been cathartic. Feeling ready to face the world, albeit with puffy eyes and a still-bruised face, she leapt out of bed, her to-do list running through her brain. After breakfast she phoned the removal firm recommended by Fiona and was promised a visit after lunch. The man she spoke to confirmed they could arrange to have her moved by the agreed date and provided a full packing service. She would only need to finish filling bin liners with items to be thrown away, and pack her personal stuff. Until she knew she had a place of her own, everything would go into storage.
The morning was spent focusing on the rubbish and the bin bags piled up alarmingly. She planned to ferry them to the local tip a car-full at a time. Fiona must have made the promised calls, as Louisa was phoned by the charity and the dress agency to organise collections. She arranged for that to happen the next morning, then phoned Glenn to ask him to book a flight to Guernsey for the following afternoon.
After the meeting with the removal man, Louisa began the trips to the tip. It was late afternoon before she returned from the final one and felt absolutely filthy. She was having supper at Charlotte’s that evening and jumped in the shower to wash away the grime before changing into an outfit befitting the occasion.
Sitting back in her seat as the plane took off, Louisa could not help comparing the difference between how she felt now and the first time she had flown to Guernsey. Then, she had been anxious about meeting her father. Always assuming she would meet him. And how he would react to learning he had a daughter. Now, she was not only on her way to stay with Malcolm, but was also looking forward to being re-united with the man she loved. Thinking about it, she had been lucky enough to gain not one, but two loving men in her life, and found herself grinning with pleasure.
Malcolm was waiting at the airport and they were soon driving away into St Peter Port.
‘I’ve arranged for us to see a property this afternoon. If it doesn’t suit, we can look at others tomorrow. Oh, and I’ve booked a table at La Fregate for the three of us tonight. If that’s okay?’ he said, with a broad smile.
‘Fine by me. Have you got the property details with you?’ She hoped it would tick the right boxes.
‘No, the agent will bring them along. But I’m sure you’ll like it. Now, tell me how the plans for the removal are progressing.’
Louisa did not know St Peter Port well and when Malcolm pulled off The Grange, one of the main roads leading into the town, she was lost. He drove along a one-way street until, after turning right into a close, he pulled into a drive which looked familiar.
‘But…isn’t this the house that’s been let? The one I really liked,’ she said, puzzled.
‘Yes it is, but don’t worry about that. It’s available if you like it.’ Getting out of the car, she followed him up the drive to the front door, where a young woman waited, a folder tucked under her arm.
‘Mr Roget, good to see you again. And you must be Miss Canning. How do you do? Please, come on in.’ She opened the door, signalling them to follow. ‘I’ll wait here until you’ve looked around and will be happy to answer any questions you may have then.’ Before Louisa could say anything, Malcolm marched through the kitchen and into the garden. She had no choice but to follow, getting a quick glimpse at the modern kitchen, before joining him. The garden was just as pretty as it looked in the details.
‘What do you think? Would you like to live here? I know you’ve not seen it all yet, but–’
The penny dropped. ‘You’ve been here before, haven’t you? And you agreed to rent it?’ She didn’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed that he had made the decision without asking her.
‘Well, I didn’t want to risk you losing it. The agent already had more viewings lined up. So I asked Paul to come with me and we both thought it was perfect. But if you really don’t like it we can cancel the deal,’ he said, his face registering uncertainty.
‘Let me see the rest and I’ll tell you.’ Keeping her expression neutral, she went inside for a detailed tour, leaving Malcolm outside. When she returned to the garden she was grinning. ‘I love it, thanks. But why didn’t either of you let me know? I’ve been totally worried I wouldn’t find somewhere in time.’
He looked relieved. ‘I wanted to surprise you. And, to be honest, hadn’t realised how disappointed you were when it was let.’ They shared a conciliatory hug before going in search of the agent. Louisa had a couple of questions to ask and, satisfied with the answers, asked when she had to sign the lease.
The young woman, frowning, looked between her and Malcolm. ‘But–’
‘It’s all right, Jane, I’ll explain to my daughter. Thanks for showing us around. I’ll be in touch.’
They said their goodbyes and got back into Malcolm's car.
‘Okay, what is it you have to explain? Seems you’ve kept something else from me,’ Louisa said, turning to face him. Holding her hand, he said, ‘Knowing you won’t be earning a lot at the centre, I wanted to help with the cost of your accommodation. So the lease is in my name because I’m paying the rent.’
On the way to his apartment, Louisa tried to persuade Malcolm to change his mind, but he was adamant. It was his way of making up for the “lost years” as he called them. This brought a lump to her throat and she gave in. At least he hadn’t gone and bought her a house, she consoled herself. If she and Paul looked as if they would stay together, then she would sell her London house and buy here. But for now, this arrangement suited her perfectly.
Before Paul was due to arrive, Malcolm said he wanted to say something important.
‘The reason I’ve poked my nose in between you and Paul is that I didn’t want you both making the same mistake that I did with your mother.’
Louisa leaned forward on the sofa, wondering where this was going.
‘I was too pig-headed to admit I loved Susan and we…we lost each other. Missing out on years of what I’m sure would have been a wonderful time together. Raising our daughter,’ he said, gripping her hand. She felt a lump in her throat. ‘No-one can guarantee that you two will have a long and loving life together, but at least now you can give it a shot.’
‘I…I don’t know what to say,’ she said, smiling. He had more than made up for those “lost years”. She could draw a line under the past and its sorrows and look forward to a future containing not only a new love, but her father.
Kissing his cheek, she murmured, ‘Thanks, Dad. For everything.’