serial part 2
Stunned by recent events, Paige realised she had some very big decisions to make
It was Friday afternoon when Paige collected the keys to the bungalow she had unexpectedly inherited from Louie Lovejoy. As she walked back from the solicitor’s, her fingers cradling them in her pocket, she recalled her earlier heated conversation with Alex.
‘Of course you’re going to sell it, aren’t you? I mean, it’s a no-brainer,’ he’d said. ‘Am I?’
‘Come on, Paige. It’s been standing empty for over a year. It will be in a right state.’
‘I expect so,’ agreed Paige, remembering that when she used to care for Louie how the lively pensioner’s home already needed work.
‘Houses get renovated, you know,’ she’d pointed out to Alex. ‘Haven’t you watched Homes Under the Hammer?’
He’d grunted. ‘You’re hardly a seasoned property developer. Surely you realise that that bungalow will be a money pit.’ Alex was probably right, thought Paige as she passed The Book Haven. Russ was crouching in the window, trying to create a display and doing rather badly. He waved, beckoning her inside.
Paige hesitated, checking her watch – 3.30pm, half an hour before she had arranged to meet Orla outside the charity shop so they could go together to the bungalow. Enough time for a catch-up, she decided, opening the door.
‘I was just about to take a coffee break,’ said Russ. ‘Fancy joining me? No milk, I’m afraid, just lumpy whitener past its best. And no sugar.’
‘Put like that, how can I resist?’ He returned with two chipped mismatched mugs, and they perched side by side on a battered couch that had seen better days. His collie, Flower, settled at Russ’ feet, her black and white tail thumping gently.
‘I feel like we’ve so much to catch up on,’ said Russ.
‘Well, my life has been pretty ordinary,’ Paige responded, nursing her coffee.
‘I drifted in and out of various jobs, made a competent waitress, an
