Eavesdropping
UPLIFTING SHORT STORY BY CLAIRE BUCKLE
Looking at this old house and garden through Jules’s eyes had Anne seeing it from a whole new angle!
Anne, at seventy years old and unaccustomed to wearing boots with a heel, gingerly walked up the mossy path. Pushing aside any thoughts of turning back, she took a couple of deep, calming breaths. As she approached the door of the Edwardian semi-detached, an estate agent with clipboard in hand flashed her a smile.
“Welcome to the open house event. Can I take your name, please?”
Anne cleared her throat.
“Mrs Bootle.” It was her mother’s maiden name and the one she’d used when she made the online appointment.
The agent checked her off the list.
“My colleague, Glen, is inside if you’ve got any questions.”
Anne frowned.
“Steve Parkes told me he’d be handling this viewing.”
She’d only met Steve twice, but they’d had several phone conversations about various properties.
“Unfortunately, he’s tied up with a client at the office, but he filled Glen in.”
“I see,” Anne said, stepping into the hallway, unsure whether she felt relief or disappointment.
She and Kelly, her 20-year-old niece, had worked hard to transform her image and now they needn’t have bothered.
She glanced in the mirror above the radiator. A bright blue beret sat at an angle on the vivid red hair, covering her natural grey. The burgundy jeggings and long Arran cardigan were a far cry from her usual uniform of joggers and baggy jumpers. As for make-up, a touch of pink lipstick was all she usually managed, but on Kelly’s advice, she’d swapped it for “Claret Kiss” and swept mascara on her fair lashes. Kelly had finished Anne’s make-up with a dusting of highlighter, telling her how “cool” she looked.
Devising this new image and discussing the fun plan with Kelly had lifted her spirits.
Since Ernie had passed away a year ago, Anne’s grief had lessened, but she’d been in the doldrums. Everything had got on top of her, from her appearance, to tending the garden. It was, she’d decided, time for a fresh start.
Anne went into the lounge-diner where three middle-aged couples were looking around. French doors in the lounge and a window at the dining end overlooked the garden. Despite a faint scent of lavender from the reed diffuser on a side table, there was a lingering mustiness in the air. A woman scowled at a layer of soot on the red brick fireplace. Anne edged closer.
“This needs a good clean,” the woman said to the man beside her. He nodded and they wandered off, grumbling about the dated bathroom.
Anne spotted a chap in a navy suit and floral tie at the other end of the room who, she decided, must be Glen. He was chatting to a heavy-set man.
The man’s voice boomed.
Some windows don’t open and I’d want to bulldoze that jungle of a garden and lay artificial grass. I’d get rid of the front garden and make space for three cars. It’s got potential and, all things considered, I’m up for making an offer.
She watched Glen give a lopsided grin and rub his hands together.
“Great. Let me know what it is, and I’ll pass it on.”
Surely the windows weren’t that bad. Anne went across to the sash window and ran her hand over the wood.
A light sanding and lick of paint was all it needed. And the garden was hardly a wilderness, just neglected. It had charm. A gnarled apple tree stood in a corner and although the fence bowed with a tangle of bindweed, jasmine and honeysuckle bloomed among it.
“Excuse me,” she said, addressing both men. “Do you know if this window opens or is it–”
“Probably stuck fast,” the man said, striding over. He yanked the window up with unnecessary force.
“Hmm. Actually,” Glen peered at the woodwork, “this doesn’t look too bad.”
“It’s hardly worth tarting up. Better replaced with uPVC,” the man retorted.
Anne had heard enough and went into the garden.
By the fence, a young woman with cropped hair bent her head towards the yellow jasmine flowers and then stepped back with a puzzled look.
Anne smiled as she approached.
“If you’re curious about the fragrance, it’s coming from the honeysuckle, not the jasmine.” She pointed to the creamy white blooms.
“Gosh,” the young woman grimaced. “I’m a bit of a novice when it comes to gardening, but the yellow is beautiful.”
“I suppose it is,” Anne said, gazing across the rest of the garden, with its overgrown shrubs and unpruned roses.
“But seeing this has convinced me I need something more manageable.” Her thoughts settled on the new apartment with a balcony Steve had shown her.
She’d be able to go away on holiday without worrying about the garden and there’d be no nooks and crannies to collect dust and harbour the spiders that she’d always relied on Ernie to catch. She could still have a bird feeder and flowering pots to attract pollinators.
“You don’t think this is the place for you?” the woman asked hesitantly.
“Hmm? Oh, no. What about you?”
I love it! OK, there’s work to be done, but there are so many great features.
Anne raised her eyebrows.
“Not dated ones?”
The question was met with a laugh.
“Well, I like those retro brown and orange kitchen tiles, but we’d get rid of the peach bathroom suite. I love the picture rails and fireplace, though.” She smiled warmly. “I’m Jules, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Anne. This is fascinating. Any other highlights?”
Jules tilted her head.
“Well, there’s the quiet street, decent local shops and good schools nearby. I can picture a swing hanging from that old apple tree. And the smallest bedroom would make a perfect nursery.”
“How lovely,” Anne murmured. “You have a baby?”
“Not yet. My wife, Fran, is due in a couple of weeks’ time.” Jules tone was almost challenging Anne to disapprove.
Unexpected tears stung Anne’s eyes.
“That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
Jules’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
Thanks. I never know how someone’s going to react.
“I’m very pleased for you. Is your partner here?”
Jules shook her head.
“Fran gets tired quickly, so we agreed I’d do initial viewings. If I like a place, she comes with me for a second viewing. I’d love her to see this house.” She took her phone from her back pocket and checked the screen.
“I’d better go. I’ve got one more house to look at before I report back.”
“Good luck,” Anne said.
“You too. Oh, and by the way, speaking of looks, I love yours.”
“Do you?” She touched her hair. “I’ll let you into a secret. This is a wig borrowed from my niece. I had a choice of colours – but I thought pink or purple would be a step too far. Apparently, they’re all the rage at music festivals.”
Jules laughed.
“They are! Although mine and Fran’s festival days might have to be postponed for a couple of years.”
They said their goodbyes and, after Anne had taken a tour of the upstairs where another couple were discussing a loft extension, she left and caught the bus to Kelly’s.
“Thanks, dear,” she said as her niece handed her a mug of strong tea.
The boots had started to pinch her feet. But she loved her new image and was looking forward to refilling her wardrobe with more pre-loved clothing.
Kelly sat crossed-legged on the sofa opposite Anne, who lounged back in a comfy, well-worn leather chair.
“So, how did it go?” Kelly asked, taking a chocolate biscuit from the open packet on the coffee table.
Anne explained Steve hadn’t been present at the viewing, but she’d still enjoyed her little adventure.
She took a sip of the tea and stretched her legs, wiggling her toes.
Thank you so much for all your help, Kelly, even though we’ll never know if Steve would’ve twigged.
Kelly grinned.
“It was a team effort. If you hadn’t read about that sneaky couple and had the guts to do something similar…” she shrugged. “What were people saying?”
At that moment, Anne’s mobile lit up. It was Steve Parkes, calling with the news of two offers on her property.
Anne put her mug down and sat up straight. “Who from?”
“Don’t you want to know the amounts?”
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
Steve informed her that the higher offer came from a property developer looking to modernise, while the lower one was from a couple who’d been on their books for a while.
They believed it would be a perfect place to raise their child.
“But they’re in a chain,” he warned.
“OK. I’ll go with the lower one.”
There was a moment’s silence.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m certain. I’d like the house to go to a loving family. And I want to secure that new build apartment you showed me.”
She’d pop into the office to discuss the next step.
But I should let you know you that if Glen’s there he might recognise me, and you might not. I’ve decided on a new me as well as a new property.
“Well, now I’m intrigued,” Steve said with a laugh.
They ended the call and Anne told Kelly about meeting Jules.
“That’s so lovely. Would you and Aunty Ernestine have liked a family?” Kelly asked gently.
“Maybe, but it would’ve been frowned upon and not easy to achieve. Besides, we were extremely happy as a couple.
“And when my brother remarried, and you came along, we were thrilled.”
Before Anne knew it, Kelly had enveloped her in a big hug.
“And I’ve been really lucky to have you and Aunty Ernestine in my life.”
They broke apart.
“And now,” Kelly said with a grin. “I have a suggestion.”
Back at her house, Anne again read the online article that had sparked her plan. A couple had disguised themselves as a cleaner and gardener so they could eavesdrop on what viewers thought – as well as fooling the estate agent. Candid feedback wasn’t always forthcoming when owners were present.
But she was glad she’d glammed up rather than dressed down. It had brought her even closer to Kelly. In fact, her niece had suggested she should join her at a festival in the summer.
Anne had surprised herself by agreeing – as long as Kelly promised she could wear the purple wig!
She looked out at the garden and smiled. Maybe a little tidying up wouldn’t go amiss before the sale went through.
