I scrutinize that crack in my footprint.

Need to get new boots soon…

Or I’ll have wet feet…

“I'm scared,” I admit.

His voice is soft. “Of what? Committing? To him?”

“No, not exactly. What if it all went wrong?”

I know that I sound like some spoiled child, complaining about homework or the wrong cookies with my milk, but the words keep coming… “What if I lost my job? Or Ryan was doing badly? If we couldn’t pay, we could lose everything.”

Klempner shrugs. “So, what’s the difference with that to paying rent for the rest of your life? That’s always going to be money down the drain. If you’re on a mortgage, you’re building it up.” He sniffs, scratches his nose. “It seems to me, that you need to sort out your priorities; to decide what it is you really want…”

He’s making a lot of sense…

But he keeps talking. “… Too many people go through life making do. If you fuck up what you really want, you could spend the next twenty years of your life regretting it, before you get another chance.”

“Like you did?”

His gaze goes distant, staring off down at the lake. “Like I did.”

Why are you talking to me like this?

Lawrence Klempner in the role of agony aunt…

However, my good sense rules and I keep that thought firmly inside my head where it belongs.

But I do keep speaking. “It’s just… it’s such a huge amount of money. I’m really worried we can’t afford it.”

Klempner sucks at his cheeks. “You work for Haswell? Do I have that right? And he’s arranging the purchase for this Mill you want to buy?”

“Yes, that's right.”

“And your Ryan, what does he do?”

“He owns his own company. They make heating and ventilation systems. He's doing a lot of contract work right now for James and Richard.”

“He’s the company director?”

“He is, yes.”

“So… his files are a matter of public record. Haswell probably has a very good idea of what he's worth too. And he knows what size of orders Ryan’s company is likely to pull in over the next few years?”

“I suppose so.”

Klempner huffs. “There’s no suppose about it. You don't get into Haswell’s position without having a knack for putting a value on people.” He levels a finger at me. “If he thinks you can afford it, you can afford it. And he’s the one offering you the sale and setting the price.”

Still I hesitate.

He lets out air. “Kirstie, you do realise that Haswell's selling it to you under value?”

He is?

on at the same price

time period…

said he didn’t have

an option on the place? He heads a multi-company international corporation, not a charity

what’s he’s saying to me sinks in. My mind races. “But

lips. “I’ve not truly worked out what’s going on with them all in there…” He thumbs back into the house… “Jenny, James, Haswell and his wife… But they’re clearly all looking out for each other… Haswell seems a decent enough man. But you can be sure that to be where he

words over in my

Lawrence Klempner…

much does he

the rest of

talk as though

suppressing a smile. “Once… in my previous life… I went looking for skeletons on Haswell and I couldn’t find any. So far as I can see, he's as honourable as big business ever allows.”

do you a favour. A big favour. No offence meant, Kirstie, but there're not too many women in your position who would

do that

kidnapper.” He muses then smiles. “Haswell aside, I’ll not forget that. If

realise that he’s not simply staring into space. He really is looking into the distance, scanning over field and

just taking the air, are you? You’re watching

at me. “Baxter’s still

about

about him. He’s tried his best to hurt my family, in the worst possible way, as a way of coming back at me.” His eyes flash fury. “I have no

“You think he'll come

He knows I'll be looking. But...” He rocks his hand back and forth...

His words hang, half-said…

else though,”

breathes in, lets it out. He paces, circles, then meets

still don't understand why. He said I’d abandoned him.

two of you

colleagues. We

it's someone else,

blinks, his head inclining.

partner? A brother? A lover? Someone

at his teeth. “Not that I’m aware of. But

begin to feel awkward. “You didn’t mention

shakes his head, jolting slightly.

talked about everyone else; James, Richard, Beth, Charlotte. You

a laugh. “I understand why my daughter is married

don’t like Michael? Everyone

of minds Jenny was opting for when she married him. It’s not as though

not being fair

a brow. “You

he feels inside, James isn’t good at expressing it well. And he doesn’t

Klempner

“Michael… has emotional intelligence.”

further. “Emotional intelligence? Really? That's an

Slaver... Trafficker… Murderer…

doesn't mean

He muses. “It's something Mitch is strong on. Reading

people it's got to make you better

seem offended. More amused. “Perhaps. Still… she didn't

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255