Love for Auction

by Karen Klyne

  “Glad you enjoyed it.”

  Dave stacked the plates, took them away, and put them on top of the bar counter. He returned with another bottle of wine. He filled his own glass and tried to top up Jan’s. She covered it with her hand and didn’t seem to be happy about the situation. Dave ignored her and took a long slurp.

  “Come on, tell us what you got up to yesterday?”

  Kim’s face burned hot. Even though the log fire had long since died to flickering embers, something was still burning brightly.

  Dave pretended to pout. “We missed all the fun because the whole village was coming back here. Well, almost everyone.”

  Was that a dig? Kim leaned back into her chair. “It was unbelievable, fascinating stuff. All the residents of Cauthwell seemed to be there. It was a bit like a village outing, and at one point I thought they were going to get their picnics out. Phil certainly knows how to entertain.”

  Jan’s eyes widened but she didn’t say anything.

  “Who bought it? Were they local?” Dave asked.

  “Who cares? I didn’t even think to ask. You should have seen it, though. My head kept going left, right, centre, telephone, internet. It was like watching a game of ping-pong. It sold really well and much better than a conventional sale.”

  “Lucky there were a few punters interested, otherwise it could have been disastrous.” Dave placed his hand on Kim’s. “So, where did you get to? I mean after?”

  “After? Oh, yeah. Surprisingly, I had a great day. Phil took me for a bit of lunch, then we went up to the Brandon place. They’re selling it to get out of a pickle. Gary was there, and we had a little reminisce.”

  Dave stroked his chin. “I always liked Gary. Nice guy. Solid.”

  “You should look him up, Dave. I’ll give you his number. Apparently, he’s going to be around for a while. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to see you.” She knew it wasn’t what he’d meant but at least it shut him up. Dave stood and picked up the empty bottle. He tried to catch Jan’s eye and kept jerking his head to the right.

  Kim grimaced. “Are you all right, Dave? You look like you’ve developed a tick.”

  Dave rubbed his neck. “A bit of a stiff neck, that’s all.”

  Kim smirked. “As long as it’s only your neck.”

  He shuffled away. “I’ll go get the desserts.”

  Jan cleared her throat. “I hope you don’t think I’m behaving like a nosy old mother hen but do be careful with Philippa. She’s been around the block a few times, and neither of us want to see you hurt.”

  Kim nodded. “Thanks. I know you have my best interests at heart, but I’m all grown up now. I like Phil. She makes me laugh. I’m well aware of what, and who, she is.” She got up, walked around to Jan, and hugged her. It wasn’t totally true. She didn’t know a lot about Phil, but she wanted to find out on her own. Still, it was nice to be cared for, and she knew they really did just want her to be okay.

  She opted out of desserts Dave returned with and excused herself.

  When she came down later, they were still sitting at the table, no doubt having a good old gossip. Dave’s eyes looked glazed over, and he looked like he’d polished off the second bottle of wine. Kim wondered if he had a drink problem, but it was none of her business. A car horn tooted. “See you later, folks. I’m off on a magical mystery tour.”

  She walked over to Phil’s car, opened the door, and slid in. “Hi, there. Where’s the blindfold?”

  “The mind boggles. I never blindfold my women. They usually like to see what’s happening.”

  Women in the plural. That’s what Jan meant, but Kim reminded herself it didn’t matter. “I bet. Anyway, where are we heading?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  It only took a couple of minutes. It was only up the main street, then she took a left into a driveway.

  “Here we are,” said Phil.

  Kim didn’t say a word. She knew exactly where they were: outside one of her favourite blocks of houses. They were two-storey, terraced Georgian houses set back from the main road. Each had a small garden at the front and a small yard at the back, and this one had a parking spot at the side. She knew it well from her childhood.

  Phil opened Kim’s door. “The mystery is no longer a mystery.”

  “But why are we here? Did you say you were doing a valuation?”

  “Correct.”

  Kim followed her towards the front door. She unlocked it and entered the hall. Phil continued ahead and into the kitchen. At first it seemed small, but it extended lengthways, incorporating a small dining room which opened into the lounge. It was modern but not to the detriment of the style.

  Kim walked around the kitchen and touched the Aga then stroked the old work surfaces. The dining area and the lounge left her speechless. The windows were the original sash windows, and the sills were distinctive in exposed stone. She ran a hand along the stone sill.

  Phil tapped her on the shoulder. “I’m just popping upstairs to take some measurements.”

  She didn’t answer. She was in another world. She could see her furniture, her possessions, and most importantly, herself in this house. The kitchen was perfect. It was just what she’d always wanted, even though she’d never really pictured what it was she wanted in a forever home. She ran upstairs to see the rest. Everything was typically Georgian. It was square and nothing deviated. There’d been some modernisation, because the large bedroom now had a small en-suite. Absolutely perfect. Kim went downstairs. This is mine. I want it.

  Phil had her hands on her hips and was grinning. “What do you think?”

  “Are you a mind reader or something?”

  “It’s part of my charm. I had a gut feeling you’d like it.”

  “I love it. It’s idyllic. When I arrived in Cauthwell, I had no idea about my future. But this feels so perfect. Please say it’s for sale.”

  Phil smiled. “It will be but not for a few months. The owner is in a nursing home. She had it on the market last year but changed her mind. By the sound of it, I don’t think she’ll be coming out, least ways, not to this house…maybe to a residential home.”

  “That would be perfect. Sorry. I didn’t mean her going into a residential home, I meant the timing. When you’ve valued it, would you let me know? I want it, Phil.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you posted. Can I drag you away now? We could go grab a drink if you like.”

  Kim stared into the distance. Was she jumping the gun a bit? She didn’t even know how much the house would be valued at. She’d do some searches when she got back and see if there was any history of sales. She wasn’t sure it would be within her budget, and she wanted to keep some of the capital in case she started up another business. Still, she couldn’t ignore the flare of excitement. Phil was obviously waiting for an answer. “Yes, that sounds great.”

  They left Phil’s car and walked to the Oak pub. Kim was still in a dream, decorating the house and moving things here and there until they were right. She wasn’t even aware they’d walked inside the pub.

  “I fancy a cider. What about you?”

  “Whatever works.” Kim sat herself down in one of the booths, still thinking about the possibilities.

  Phil lifted her glass. “Cheers.”

  She forced herself to focus. “Definitely. I’m terrified of getting my hopes up too soon. It’s so weird. I’m selling my business, my apartment, my transport, and the house. I meet you, and today I fall in love with a house. It’s all happened so quickly. You seem to be bringing me luck.”

  “I hope so. Like I said though, it won’t be on the market for another two or three months.”

  “I know. That could all fall into place, because I’ll be away for a while.”

  Phil’s shoulders slumped, and she momentarily broke eye contact with Kim. “Away?”

  Kim picked up a beer mat and turned it around in her fingers. “Remember when you suggested a holiday? My friends in Spain have a small hot
el. I said I’d go and help them during their busy spell.” She leaned back into her seat and forced a smile. “I’ll be back by the end of August though.”

  Phil scratched her nose. “Excellent.”

  She seemed a little disappointed. So was Kim. She’d agreed to go to Spain before all this happened. All what? What had changed? Well, she’d just made a friend and had found a house she liked, and now she’d be leaving. It wasn’t exactly mind-blowing stuff. And it wasn’t that long. She was already missing Phil, though she wasn’t sure why.

  Phil seemed to perk up a bit and changed the subject. “Hey, I’m curious. Why didn’t you become a vet? I’d have thought you’d follow in your father’s footsteps.”

  Kim laughed. “Yeah, everyone always asks me that. I adore animals. I prefer them to humans. The thing is, I can’t stand the sight of blood. I never told my father, because he’d have been gutted. He would’ve tried to find ways of getting me through the phobia. I helped him at the surgery in the school holidays, but the moment there was any blood, I’d disappear and return when the messy bit was over. He never caught on, so I never had to explain.”

  “How did you move into catering?”

  “I had an unusual childhood. My mother was studying to be an engineer, and my father was a vet. My mother never wanted kids, but my father did. Then I came along. I guess she wasn’t happy at home, you know, being just a mother, and soon they employed a nanny. Mum went back to retrain, and my dad was left feeding the pair of us. Dad’s culinary skills were lacking, possibly a bit like yours.” Kim winked. “Anyway, Mum spent more and more time away. When I was about nine, she told my dad she was leaving us. That’s what he told me later on. At the time, he told me she was working away for a few months. It made little difference, because I hardly ever saw her. Eventually, with Dad working odd hours and being called out in the middle of the night, he thought it was best to send me off to boarding school.”

  Phil pulled a face. “How awful.”

  Kim shook her head. “No, it was fine. I’d been there as a day student, so I knew lots of people, and it was only in Handley, so it wasn’t far away. Of course, I was back during school holidays, and Dad managed to get in a locum to cover the unsociable hours. Jan was good and often sent meals down for us, but otherwise it was ready meals or frozen stuff. I loved cookery class, and my teacher said I had a flare. So I started experimenting more. I bought cookbooks from charity shops and on birthdays, at Christmas, any occasions, there’d be more cookery books. By the time I was thirteen, I was delivering a pretty good meal.”

  “Your mother never returned?”

  “No. I never questioned it either. They got divorced, but I didn’t know that at the time. She made a new life for herself in France and re-married. Anyway, Dad went ballistic when I told him cooking was my chosen career. He had dreams of uni and me in the veterinary practice. Eventually he accepted it, and off I went to catering college in Manchester.”

  “Fantastic. Was it everything you’d expected?”

  “Everything and more. I sold my car, bought an old van, filled it with pies, sandwiches, salads, cakes etcetera. Everything was home-made, and then I went around business parks and touted my wares. Apparently, I was the answer to their prayers. Right time, right place. It ballooned. Sorry, I’m rambling.” Her story wasn’t an odd one, but it was hers, and she hadn’t shared this much of it with anyone in a long time. The vulnerable feeling it brought with it was a new one.

  “No, I think it’s a great story. I bet you never want to eat out, though?”

  “You’re joking? I love eating out. I’m only a basic cook. I can’t do all the fancy stuff like on MasterChef. Anyway, that’s enough grilling for me. Tell me about you?”

  Phil shrugged. “Not much to tell, really.”

  “That’s a load of rubbish. You said you’d tell me why you have such a reputation.”

  Phil laughed. “Did I say that? It’s all a blur.”

  “Well, I had a big lecture from Jan. Shall I just ask her?”

  Phil scowled. She took a deep breath and looked like she was just about to begin when Alan popped his head into the booth.

  She raised a hand in apparent triumph. “Saved by the bell.”

  “Hello, you two. I wondered where all the noise was coming from.” He bent and kissed Kim on the cheek. “How are you?”

  “Brilliant, thanks. What brings you to this den of iniquity?”

  “I do like the odd half on occasion. I’m not teetotal, you know.”

  “Good to hear. Can I get you a refill?”

  “You don’t mind if I join you then?” He looked from Kim and then to Phil. “I don’t want to intrude but another half lager would be nice.”

  Kim returned with the drink and placed it in front of Alan. He and Phil seemed at odds. Phil was looking down at the table, her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched. But then she lifted her head and smiled at Kim, and her tension seemed to ease.

  Alan raised his glass to her. “Have you any idea what you’re going to do now?”

  “I’m off to Manchester next week to close everything down, then I’m off to Spain for a few months. Who knows, after that I might look at some properties in Cauthwell.” She gave Phil a quick grin, and she smiled back, but the light wasn’t in her eyes.

  Alan seemed to perk up when he heard she was going away. “If you do decide to stay here, I’ll be only too happy to assist you. Come into the office sometime and have a look at what’s on offer.”

  Kim nodded. She knew what some of the offers might be, but she had a feeling she shouldn’t mention their little journey this morning. “I’ll do that.”

  Alan finished his drink and excused himself.

  Phil watched him leave, looking thoughtful. “When are you going to Manchester?”

  “Tuesday. I have to sign for the sale of my business and such. Anyway, before we were so rudely interrupted, you were about to tell me about your exploits in Cauthwell.”

  “Was I? It’s a long story that should be told over dinner. You’ll have to wait until you get back from all your travels.”

  Something between them had shifted, and she felt its loss. Shame. She was looking forward to hearing the sordid details, but at least she’d have dinner to look forward to. It’s not like it was over, just on hold. “It’s a deal.”

  Phil drove her back to the Pheasant, and she crept back to her room before Jan and Dave could quiz her. She thought about the clash between Phil and Alan, and about Jan and Dave’s feelings about Phil. What had Phil done that was so terrible? Surely it couldn’t be that bad? She didn’t really care. As far as she was concerned it was all in the past. Although she didn’t really know Phil either, did she? She had a good feeling about her but that didn’t mean Phil wasn’t still going around the block all the time, as Jan had insinuated. Dinner when she got back would be a long time to wait, but the prospect of seeing Phil again made her pulse race as fast as greyhounds chasing a stuffed rabbit. She was behaving like a crush-struck teenager. Lucky she was going away. Or was it? She was beginning to wonder.

  ***

  Back in Manchester, she had pleasant things to occupy her mind. She’d never chosen a car for herself for luxury. They’d always been something practical or for the business, so the prospect of ordering one was quite an event. She’d chosen a RAV4 which would be delivered to the airport on her return from Spain.

  She had mixed feelings about leaving. Seeing the boxes stacked along the wall of her apartment made her question her decision. Soon it wouldn’t be her apartment anymore. All the documents were signed, and everything would take place when she was away. Her life was all packed up in a few boxes. Is that all she had to show for eight years? No, she had more. She had memories and successes. But all the same, parting wasn’t easy. She couldn’t imagine her life without Rick. He was like the brother she’d never had, and she adored him, even if he had short-changed her quite a bit. They had a final lunch together, and then he helped load up the boxes into her hi
re car. They stared at each other with tears in their eyes. The hug was painful, and the kiss was quick. It was the end of an era, and hopefully, the beginning of a new one.

  She arrived in Cauthwell late afternoon and carried the boxes up to the spare room Jan had given her. She closed the door to her room and leaned against it. There was a tap on her door. She opened it, and Jan was standing on the other side. She flung herself into Jan’s arms and burst into tears. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. You’re bound to be tearful, you’re starting a new life.” She stroked Kim’s hair. “You’ve got so much to look forward to, and you’ll be seeing your friends next week. You’ll have a wonderful time, and when you get back, we’ll all be here.”

  Jan was right. It was time to look forward, not back.

  Chapter Eight

  Shit. Alan was such high maintenance. Why couldn’t he just let her get on with her life? He’d slipped into the booth as soon as Kim left to get him a drink. She wouldn’t be surprised if he hadn’t been spying on her before.

  She replayed the conversation between them at the Oak pub, when she and Kim had gone for a drink after viewing the house, and thought about his words.

  “Well, you certainly didn’t waste any time, did you, Philippa?”

  She’d laughed. “Somebody has to look after her. And before you jump to conclusions, we get on well, and we’re just friends.”

  “Since when did you make friends with women?”

  Cheek of the bloody man. “I can have female friends.” I’ve got Cass. “There isn’t a law against it.”

  But he’d banged on.

  “No, not a law. But I thought we had an understanding: not in Cauthwell.”

  She’d shrugged. “Kim doesn’t live in Cauthwell.” She remembered smirking like a smart arse. “Anyway, she’s going away, so the whole matter is moot.”