reply without hesitation. What we’ll get for Dad’s store will barely cover the mortgage on the place. Mum needs relieving of the financial strain.
I sigh. ‘I’ll make arrangements to have the shop cleared,’ I assure him, knowing deep down he’s right. The shop looks like a scrapyard at best, but the thought of brutally sifting through the many eclectic things my father hoarded over the years fills me with dread. My guilt for abandoning his business to chase my dreams still lingers. It’s a daily battle to stop it from overwhelming my efforts to move on. Going back to Helston to face his shop again will only make that battle harder. I let out a little laugh. Yes, because everything is going so well here in London.
‘Thank you, Miss Cole.’ Edwin hangs up, and I put my head in my hands for a few despondent moments before a light rap on the door pulls my attention back up. I’m frowning as I wander to the door and pull it open.
‘Hi.’ A voice hits me before I can see who’s standing in the corridor. A woman. She’s smiling brightly, her blond bob styled perfectly.
‘Hello.’ I cock my head questioningly.
‘I heard you come in. Thought I’d introduce myself. I’m Lucy.’ Her hand comes towards me. ‘Lucy Bason. I moved in the week before you. I live across the hall.’
I take her hand. ‘I’m Eleanor.’
My new neighbour’s bubbly presence is hard not to smile at. ‘Are you from around here?’ she asks.
‘No.’ I shake my head, thinking I feel like a fish out of water, and I probably look like one, too. ‘I come from the West Country.’
‘Oh,’ she sings, delighted. ‘I’m new in town, too.’
‘How are you finding it?’
She rolls her eyes. It’s a small gesture, but her tired expression makes me feel better. She looks like she’s struggling as well.
‘Tough,’ she admits, enhancing my relief. At least I’m not the only one. ‘But I got a job today at an accounting firm, so I guess it isn’t all bad.’
My relief is shot down in flames. She has a job. That’s more than I have. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thanks.’ She smiles, but it quickly falls into a frown. ‘You okay?’
I sigh, giving up on the chirpy act. Today has been a challenge. ‘I had an interview. It was a total fail.’ I avoid why, unable to muster the strength to go into details.
‘Oh.’ Lucy deflates with me. ‘That’s too bad.’
‘It’s fine.’ I wave a hand dismissively. ‘The job wasn’t really for me.’ A lie. It was right up my street, and I’m feeling a little bitter about it. ‘There’s potentially another position coming up very soon. Fingers crossed.’
‘What’s meant for you won’t go by you.’
I smile as I step back and open the door wider. ‘I’m sorry, would you like to come in?’
‘Sure.’ She smiles brightly, drawing one from me too, and bursts into my flat.
‘Can I get you a drink?’ I ask. ‘I have wine.’
‘Oooh, I’d love a glass.’ She bounces across the room and drops her skinny arse on to the small couch. She’s so slim. I take a peek over my shoulder to my curvy arse and frown. No amount of exercise can reduce it.
I pour two glasses and hand one to Lucy as I take a seat next to her. ‘Nice to meet you.’ I toast the air, and Lucy laughs, following suit before we both swig and let out collective sighs, laughing and falling back on to the couch. ‘Why does it seem like you’ve had a day like I have?’ I ask. She got a job. Surely she’s delighted.
Lucy snorts. ‘My morning was amazing. I got a job and went shopping to celebrate. My afternoon, not so much.’
‘Why?’
‘Both my parents showed up.’
‘Is that a bad thing?’ I’d love for both of my parents to just show up. Sadness washes over me, and I spend a few too many moments accepting that that will never happen. Dad, of course, is no longer with us and I’d be surprised if I could ever get my mum to leave the stifling confines of Helston to come and visit me.
Lucy drops her head to the side and looks at me tiredly. ‘It is when they’re trying to drag me back to the sticks.’
‘The sticks?’
‘The back of beyond. The deepest depths of the English countryside, where my only friends were pigs and fucking cows.’
I laugh. ‘Why do they want to drag you home?’
‘The natural progression.’ She sighs, taking another sip of her wine. ‘I’m