2010
‘And this is the kitchen, Miss Ogier. As you can see, it’s been finished to the highest standard, with all built-in appliances.’ The estate agent spread her hands in the dramatic gesture beloved by agents wanting to impress.
Natalie allowed herself to look, and feel, impressed. Although not a keen cook like her mother, she did appreciate a kitchen which looked as if it could produce an extravagant meal and complete the washing-up at the touch of a few buttons. The glossy cream fronted units, topped with solid granite worktops, encompassed built-in appliances even her mother would envy. The soft grey floor tiles complemented the worktop; all set off by warm yellow-gold walls. The effect was considerably more welcoming than the stark white and stainless steel kitchen she had left behind in London. A definite plus in its favour.
She sniffed. ‘I can still smell the paint. When did you say it was completed, Jess?’
The other woman beamed.
‘Only last week and you’re the first person to view. But I have to warn you there’s been some considerable interest. It’s not often a brand new cottage in such a wonderful location comes up for sale. Shall we continue the tour? I’m sure you’ll be as impressed with the other rooms.’
Natalie turned to follow Jess, but for a moment felt as if something was holding her back. The merest whisper. A soft sound which she couldn’t place. She looked around, wondering if someone else had arrived unnoticed. The room was empty. With a shrug, she stepped into the hall and followed Jess into the sitting room at the back. Although the cottage was new, it had been built to look like a traditional Guernsey cottage on the outside, granite walls and a slate roof, but brought into the twenty-first century with larger windows. One whole wall of the sitting room was taken up by floor to ceiling bi-folding doors opening onto the garden.
This mix of styles was what had attracted Natalie. She had been brought up in an old cottage and loved the feeling of cosiness, but also enjoyed the light and airiness of modern buildings. She could picture her sleek, modern furniture fitting in well with the style of the cottage and began to feel a slight thrum of excitement. Something she badly needed if she were to make a successful return to the island. Pushing down the unwelcome thought of why she was back, Natalie had to smile at the ultra-modern wood burner at the far end of the room. With the latest underfloor heating installed, it wasn’t likely to see much use, but it did mean she could curl up on the sofa in front of a roaring fire if needed.
Jess continued to throw open doors and windows as they walked round, the smell of paint almost oppressive. Natalie liked everything she saw, silently complimenting the architect for his eye for detail and the happy combination of old and new. The tour ended in the garden. Or more accurately, what would be a garden. Natalie frowned as she saw the mounds of earth beyond the tiled terrace. The only saving grace was the uninterrupted view down towards Rocquaine Bay and the white tower of Fort Grey. The deep blue sea reflected light from the bright May sun.
‘Beautiful, isn’t it?’ Jess sighed. ‘A view to die for. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s true. It certainly beats the view from my town flat!’
‘Mm, it’s quite something. Just a pity there’s no garden to sit in and enjoy it.’
‘Ah, yes, I was coming to that. The seller thought it was more important to finish the house and let the buyer decide what they wanted to do with the garden. They’ve commissioned a landscape gardener who would work with you on the final design and then undertake the work.’ Jess faced Natalie. ‘So, what do you think? Are you interested?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, I am. With three bedrooms it’s a bit bigger than I really need right now, but it is lovely and the view…’ she waved her arm towards the sea before looking back beyond the cottage to another property, looking newly renovated, a few hundred yards away. ‘Who’s the neighbour?’
‘Oh, that’s Stuart Cross, a teacher at the grammar school. He only moved in a few weeks ago and he seems a nice man. Related to the original owner of the farm, I understand. I’m sure he’d make a good neighbour,’ Jess said brightly.
‘Married?’
‘I don’t believe so, no.’
Natalie ran a hand through her short hair, wondering if it would be wise to move into such a secluded place with a single man as her neighbour. Considering what had happened in London…Telling herself not to be so paranoid, she managed a smile.
‘What happened to the farmhouse? Surely it would have been better to reconstruct it rather than knock it down?’
‘I don’t know the whole story, but I understand it had been virtually destroyed by a fire years ago and it wasn’t practicable to rebuild. This cottage has been built on the site of the original house, and the other cottage,’ Jess said, pointing, ‘was an old barn. Both have been built using as much of the original stone as possible, but the insides are completely new. It’s taken years for the planners to agree on the idea of a new-build and the architect had to redraft his designs a few times. It does mean this cottage is unique, so you’d be buying something quite special,’ Jess finished, with a wide smile
‘I should hope so at this asking price!’ Natalie chewed her lip as she considered. The price was steep, but the London flat had sold well and she wouldn’t need a mortgage. It did seem a bit mad buying something so big when she was on her own but…she gazed once more down towards the sea and took a lungful of the clean, fresh air. Such a relief after the polluted air of the City. Trees set further down the hill formed a protective shield between the cottage and the houses below, without impinging on the view. Turning around she noticed for the first time that similar rows of trees surrounded what had once been the farm buildings, providing further privacy. It was blissfully quiet.
‘Can I have another look around, please? On my own?’
‘Sure. I’ll wait here and you take as long as you want. My next viewing’s not for another hour.’
Natalie wanted to see if the cottage would be overlooked by the one belonging to ‘Stuart’. As she walked back towards the drive she noticed how the other property was set at an angle to the empty one, with its main windows looking down to the sea in a different direction. There was a decent expanse of land between them and trees provided extra privacy without sacrificing the views. Both properties had their personal drives for parking, approached by a shared private lane. Someone had put a lot of thought into the layout, she reasoned, before retracing her steps to the front door.
As Natalie walked round she imagined which pieces of her furniture would fit where. The sumptuous designer leather sofa would take pride of place in the sitting room and the circular maple dining table would set off the dining area next to the kitchen. In her mind’s eye she was already in situ, boxes unpacked, and holding a house warming party. There was so much space for guests even if the weather meant they couldn’t wander outside. A complete contrast to the elegant but tiny flat in Islington. She cast a last glance at the kitchen, head cocked on one side, but all was quiet. Smiling, she walked back out through the sitting room to rejoin the patient Jess, sitting on a large stone.
‘I’ll take it. Although it’s more than I planned to spend, I’m sure it will be worth it.’
Jess jumped up and shook her hand.
‘I’m so pleased. I think it’s heavenly.’ She consulted the notes on her clipboard. ‘You’ve already sold your own property I see. Which is marvellous. Are you looking to move in quickly? I’m afraid the garden–’
‘Oh, don’t worry. I can live with it like this for a little while if necessary. I’d want to get some ideas together first. But I would want to complete as soon as possible as I’m living with my parents at the moment so…’ She rolled her eyes. Jess laughed.
‘Got the picture! Right, let’s go back to the office and we can complete the paperwork. And I’ll ring everyone else interested to tell them Beauregard House has been sold.’
‘Even the name says it all – “nice view”. Quite an understatement. What’s the other cottage called?’ Natalie asked as they headed to the agent’s car.
‘The Old Barn. Originally the properties and land formed Beauregard Farm and it was felt the name should be kept, hence Beauregard House. I believe Mr Cross chose the name for his cottage.’
Natalie nodded and slid in beside Jess. Once she had finished at the agent’s office she’d go home to tell her parents the news. Then it was a question of shipping all her belongings over from England once a completion date was fixed. And she needed to buy more furniture to fill the extra space. It promised to be a busy few weeks. Briefly, she thought of the reason why she had finally returned to the island of her birth. She shuddered at the image of Liam’s red, angry face as his fist connected with her jaw.
Thank God she was now safe.