her reaction, because I just know she’s going to be beside herself with joy. ‘All sounds great, Mum,’ I say, smiling, loving how upbeat she sounds. ‘Listen, I have to go. I have a countess coming to see a Rembrandt. I need to prepare.’
‘A Rembrandt?’ she squeals, delighted. ‘Good Lord. What would your father make of this super career you’re carving out?’
I swallow down my laugh. He’d turn in his grave, that’s what he’d do.
‘I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.’
‘Thanks, Mum.’ I land in Becker’s office and shut the door behind me. ‘I really need to go.’
‘Okay, darling. I’ll call you next week.’
I hang up and spend a few moments marvelling and appreciating how bright she sounded. ‘Tickets,’ I say, quickly pulling up Google on my phone. I order a return ticket for the week after next and send it to the printer, rushing to the double pedestal masterpiece desk. The printer doesn’t kick in, but the screen on the printer is telling me to load a new ink cartridge. Fabulous. Ink. Where does he keep the ink? I drop into the chair and grab the brass pull of the left-hand top drawer and tug, but it doesn’t shift. It’s locked. ‘Damn,’ I mutter, trying the remaining three drawers in quick succession before moving to the other pedestal and working my way down the four drawers on that side. All locked. I growl under my breath, my eyes flitting around his office. It’ll have to wait. I need to get the showing room prepared. It’s nearly 3p.m. ‘Where are you, Hunt?’ I say to myself, getting up. My phone rings, and I glance down at the screen to see the estate agent calling. ‘Hello,’ I say as I make my way around Becker’s desk.
‘Miss Cole, Edwin Smith from Smith and Partners here.’
‘Hi, Edwin. I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m late for a meeting. Can I call you back?’
‘This shouldn’t take long. I have good news for you. We have an offer on the shop.’
I come to an abrupt stop. My heart suddenly aches a little. ‘That’s great.’ I don’t sound very happy at all.
‘Full asking price, too. They’re cash buyers, so it will be a very quick and easy transaction. I assume you’ll be accepting it?’
I swallow and nod, the ache intensifying. This is it. The last scrap of my dad’s legacy will be gone. It’s bittersweet. Mum will be relieved of the financial burden, but I’ll be burdened with more guilt. I clear my throat. ‘Of course.’
‘Excellent. If you could let me know the name of your solicitor, I’ll get the deal memo drawn up. I’ll need the spare sets of keys, too, ready for handover.’
Keys. Goddamn it, the keys. ‘I’ll get it sorted, Edwin.’
We say our goodbyes and I stare down at my phone. Just do it. Get it out of the way. I pull up David’s number and dial. He answers almost immediately. ‘Elle?’
‘I didn’t get my keys back for Dad’s store.’ I get straight to the point. ‘The agent just called me. It’s sold, so they’ll need all the keys ready for completion. Would you mind dropping them into the agent on the high street when you’re passing?’
He’s silent for a second. ‘Sure.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Listen, Elle, about that night in the pub . . .’
‘Let’s not, David,’ I say, heading for the door. No rehashing today. Or any day.
‘I just wanted to apologise, that’s all. I was out of line.’
I slow to a stop again. That’s big of him to admit. ‘Okay.’
‘And for everything, actually. I’m sorry for everything.’
I smile at thin air before me. He might be sorry, but I can’t be. His betrayal led me to somewhere special. And now . . . closure. ‘That means a lot, thank you. Listen, I really must go. Thanks for the keys thing.’
‘No problem.’
I hang up and exhale, but my relaxed body soon tenses up again when my mobile sings. Becker. God, I bet he’s seething after losing the car to Brent. I get on my way, mindful I still need to get the showing room ready, and hurry to the Grand Hall as I connect the call. ‘Hi,’ I squeak, my neck shrinking into my shoulders, waiting for his fury.
‘Hey, princess.’ He surprises me with his upbeat greeting. He sounds far too chirpy for someone who has just lost to their nemesis. ‘I have a new woman in my life.’
‘What?’ I cough, coming to a stop in front of the Rembrandt. I know what that