Total pages in book: 204
Estimated words: 193115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 193115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 966(@200wpm)___ 772(@250wpm)___ 644(@300wpm)
We make it to Lusso in good time, Cathy chatting the whole way. “Oh lord, oh my,” she sings as the gates slowly open. “This is a bit fancy, isn’t it?”
I laugh and pull into one of my allocated spaces. The car park is full of vans, tradesmen all working their nuts off to get completed on time. I round the car and open the door for Cathy, helping her, and she doesn’t fight me. The Aston is low, and Cathy isn’t a spring chicken anymore. She links arms with me, and I lead her in, past the concierge desk to the elevator where Chris is waiting.
“Mr. Ward,” he says, extending his hand. I shake it and make the introductions.
“Cathy, this is Chris, the estate agent. Chris, Cathy, my housekeeper.”
“Or penthouse keeper now,” she says, and I laugh as Chris taps in a code to call the elevator. We board and yet another code is entered before we’re carried to the penthouse.
“I’m sure Mr. Ward will give you the codes once he’s changed them after he’s moved in,” Chris says, and I hear him and Cathy exchange a few words and laughter, but my mind is off again. She’s been in this elevator. I’m beginning to regret not taking up Chris’s offer to oversee the interior taking shape. I may have encountered Miss Ava O’Shea much sooner than Friday.
Cathy’s oohing and aahing continues when we get to the door, and once Chris has let us in, her awe notches up a few more levels. “Well, I’m very glad I didn’t buy any perishables,” she says. “My God, this tour will take a whole day!”
“Why don’t you take a look around?” I suggest, smiling. I don’t need to offer twice. She’s off, poking in and out of rooms.
I wander into the kitchen, gazing around. I’ve neglected to appreciate just how amazing a job Ava O’Shea has done. There’s not a detail she’s missed, even down to dressing the place.
“Looking forward to moving in?” Chris asks, joining me.
“Yeah,” I reply, for the first time actually picturing myself living here. Being here every night. Can I do that?
“So the launch on Friday evening,” Chris says. “The developers wanted to showcase it before signing off. You know, get investors interested in their upcoming projects. It’s also a good opportunity for all the contractors and companies who have worked on the project to network.”
“Yes, Sarah mentioned it.” I pull up, thinking. A launch. Showcasing. Networking. She’ll be here.
“You should come.”
Chris reads my mind, and I turn a smile onto him. “You know, I think I will.” I back up into the open-plan lounge, looking up the back-lit staircase. The detail she’s put into this. It’s incredible.
“Actually,” Chris says, pulling my attention back to him. He smiles, and I know what’s coming. I laugh under my breath and head out the bifold doors onto the terrace. The jacuzzi, the limestone slabs, the sun loungers. All this would be wasted if I didn’t stay here. The view over the docks. I didn’t give that the time of day either. It’s stunning. I feel like my eyes are open for the first time in as long as I can remember.
Chris follows me out, joining me to take in the view. “I noticed you’re . . . well . . .” He can’t locate his words, and I find it highly amusing.
“You been looking into me?’ I ask, slipping my hands into my pockets.
He chuckles. It’s awkward as fuck. “We have to check the financial stability of anyone who offers on our properties, of course.”
“Of course,” I murmur. Come on, Chris. Spit it out.
“Well, anyway, it came to my attention that you own . . . run . . . have . . .”
This is getting embarrassing. I cast my eyes over to him. “The Manor,” I say. “It’s called The Manor.”
“Yes. The Manor. And what would one do to become a member of The Manor?”
“One gets endorsed.”
“How?”
“By other members who can vouch for them.”
“Oh. I don’t know any other members.” He frowns at the view, and I smile.
“You know me, Chris,” I say, putting him out of his misery. I’m done playing with him. “And lucky for you, I’m not just a member, by default, of course. I also own it.” I reach into my pocket and pull out a card, handing it to him. “Call Sarah. She’ll fix you up.” The look on his face. Anyone would think I’d just given him a free pass to paradise. Yes, it’s paradise for many. But it certainly won’t be free. Perhaps his commission on this place will cover it. At least, for a while.
He takes the card and I head back inside. “I won’t be too long.”
* * *
I lied. I spent over an hour roaming the penthouse, taking in every little detail that I never noticed before. Like I said, open eyes. I drop Cathy home and take her bags into the kitchen, letting her kiss my cheek before I leave. Then I drive to my rental, stopping off at the supermarket on my way.