The Old House on the Corner Read Free

it,’ Victoria said cheerfully. ‘I suppose I was sad at the time, I can’t remember, but I’ve been happy ever since living here.’
    ‘Gosh! I do admire you for not giving into things. I give in at the drop of a hat.’
    ‘Well, you shouldn’t.’ Victoria hoped she didn’t sound too brusque. She thought it was time to change the subject. ‘Have you spoken to any of the neighbours yet? I haven’t had the opportunity. I only left work yesterday – for good, that is. Next week, I’ll be getting ready for America.’
    ‘The people in Hamilton Lodge seem very nice.’ Rachel perked up a bit. ‘Gareth and Debbie Moran, though I can’t help but wonder how such a young couple managed to afford such an expensive house. He’s something to do with computers: a database developer, whatever that is. Frank, that’s my husband, said he wouldn’t earn all
that
much.’
    Victoria grinned, showing a mouthful of strong, white teeth. ‘I’m in the same field meself, except I design websites.
I
didn’t earn all that much either, although I will in America. Maybe the Morans have got a big mortgage.’ She felt slightly guilty for receiving such a whacking great sum for the land, thus adding thousands of pounds to the cost of each property.
    Rachel Williams said sadly that she couldn’t understand computers. Her children had one, Frank used one at work, but she was hopeless. Before she could list all her other inadequacies, Victoria forestalled her by asking if she’d met the people in Clematis Cottage on the other side of Hamilton Lodge.
    ‘Mr Burrows? He seems very nice, but I didn’t meet his wife, she’s an invalid. I’ve spoken to the pretty girl in one of the semis, Sarah. She has two young children and a baby. I got the impression she’d just separated from her husband and the poor girl doesn’t seem able to cope. I offered to babysit if she ever wanted to go out. The Irishfamily in the semi next door keep very much to themselves, and so do the couple in the other bungalow, number seven. Have you seen them? The woman looks about forty and she’s absolutely beautiful.’
    ‘I haven’t seen her, no. I saw the girl called Sarah. She looked terribly harassed. She has a hyphenated surname, Rees-James. The Irish family are the Jordans and they have two teenage boys. I don’t know who’s in the other bungalow.’ A speculator had bought number seven with the intention of renting it out and the empty bungalow had been the last to be purchased: she had no idea by whom. ‘If you’re wondering how I know so much, it’s because I’m nosy. I inherited it from me gran. She was the nosiest person in the world. I was dead miffed, being at work and missing everyone moving in.’
    ‘You’re just interested in people, that’s not being nosy.’ For the first time, Rachel allowed herself a brief smile, though it quickly vanished. ‘Anyway, I hope they all come to the barbecue. If it’s a wash-out, Frank will only say, “I told you so.”’
    Tell Frank to go screw himself, Victoria wanted to say, but it didn’t seem exactly tactful. ‘I’m sure it will be fun, even if not everyone comes.’
    ‘I thought we could have it on the communal lawn. We could put up a big tree there at Christmas, have firework parties, and that sort of thing.’ Her voice trailed away. ‘I suppose people will think I’m just being a nuisance.’
    ‘I think you’re marvellous. And if Gran were here, she’d think the same. It’s really nice, getting everyone together, making friends. I almost wish I wasn’t going to America and could become part of it.’
    Rachel’s cheeks flushed and her watery eyes brightened. Victoria wanted to throttle Frank Williams for notoffering his wife more encouragement. Gran had always taught her she could do anything she wanted and Victoria had grown up believing this to be true.
    In Three Farthings, Rachel found Frank in his pyjamas in the kitchen reading a magazine. ‘The kids are still asleep.