Elaine! Elaine, where are you? Nigel’s voice strained from the living room. Get in here! Important news!
Coming! Elaine wiped damp hands on her apron. What’s happened? Is the house burning?
No! Better! Much better! Nigel bounded over as she entered, seizing her elbows. Listen! Remember Davies, my old manager? Retired last year?
Of course. What about him? Elaine tensed. Nigel’s excitement often meant trouble.
He rang just now! Imagine—he’s selling his three-bedroom flat in the town centre! Offering it to us! Practically a steal, Elaine! Says he’ll let us have it for half price because I helped him out once. Remember when I got his nephew that job?
Elaine sank slowly into the armchair. Thoughts swirled like autumn leaves.
Nigel, what flat? What are you on about? We haven’t that kind of money!
Ah, that’s the beauty! Nigel perched on the armrest, speaking rapidly. Davies says we can pay in instalments! Small monthly sums, he’s in no rush. Moving to his daughter’s cottage in the Cotswolds, doesn’t need the town place. Elaine, understand what this means? We’ve squeezed into this little two-bedder our whole lives! This could be our chance!
Nigel, wait… Elaine rubbed her temples. Why do we need three bedrooms? The kids are grown, have their own places. This suits us fine.
Why?! Nigel sprang up, pacing. Elaine, you’re sensible! Grandchildren will visit—where will they stay? When we’re old, maybe the kids move here to help. Or we hire a carer—she’ll need a room too!
Elaine watched him silently. Thirty years married, and he was still the dreamer. Always chasing a grand happiness just out of reach.
How much money? she asked carefully.
Initial deposit is light—about eight grand. Then monthly, say a thousand.
Eight thousand?! Elaine nearly jumped. Nigel, have you gone mad? Where do we get that?
I’ve thought it through. Nigel sat beside her, taking her hands. Remember Mum’s ring? Gran’s diamond? I got it valued at the jewellers—worth about ten thousand. Sell that, and it covers it!
Elaine snatched her hands back.
The ring?! Nigel Davies, are you out of your mind? That’s your mother’s memory! She gave it to you on her deathbed!
So? Nigel shrugged. Mum wanted us happy. We’d be happy! Big flat, town centre!
What if we can’t keep paying? Illness? Job loss?
Nothing will happen! Nigel waved it off. Elaine, this is an opportunity! Do you grasp it? Chances like this come once!
Elaine stood, walked to the window. Rain streaked dirtily down the glass, mirroring her jumbled thoughts.
Nigel, did you talk to the kids? What will they say?
Why wouldn’t they be pleased? Imagine Emily’s surprise! And James—he’d be proud his folks live centrally!
Emily taught school, always busy, always weary. James moved to London after the army, rarely called. Would they truly celebrate this? Elaine doubted it.
Listen, she said, not turning, maybe we shouldn’t rush. Think more, discuss…
Discuss with whom? Nigel threw up his hands. Elaine, Davies flies to his daughter tomorrow! Decide today or it’s gone!
Why offer it to us? Elaine suddenly asked. Surely he has other friends?
Well… he says we’re reliable. Trustworthy.
Something in his voice made Elaine turn. Nigel avoided her eyes, fidgeting with the tablecloth.
Nigel, are you telling me everything?
Of course! What could I hide?
Not sure. But I feel you’re holding back.
Nigel paused, then sighed heavily.
Alright. One tiny snag. The flat… isn’t quite in ideal condition. Needs renovation. Serious renovation.
How serious?
Well, plumbing, rewiring. Floors maybe. Wallpaper definitely…
Nigel! Elaine sank back into the chair. That means more money! Big money!
Then we’ll live like kings! Nigel insisted. Elaine, I’ve dreamt of a place like this! Central, high ceilings, mouldings! Like an old film! And this chance!
Elaine saw the old spark in his eyes, just like when he courted her. Then he spun dreams, promised grand lives. She’d believed. Married him, raised kids, scrimped and saved. He’d kept dreaming.
Alright, she said finally. But one condition. First, we view this flat. Honestly asses renovation costs. Talk to the kids. Then we decide.
Agreed! Nigel beamed. Davies arranged the viewing. Tomorrow morning!
That night, Elaine lay awake. Part of her agreed—a bigger central flat was prestige. Worth the risk? Yet their cosy two-bedder held memories—children growing, shared laughter…
Next morning, they visited. The building was handsome, old, with broad stairs and tall windows. But when Davies opened the flat door, Elaine gasped.
Was there a flood here? she asked, eyeing water stains.
Upstairs neighbours leak sometimes, Davies said sheepishly. Nothing dreadful. Dries out.
Elaine walked the rooms. Wallpaper peeled. Floorboards groaned. A kitchen tap wouldn’t turn. The window offered a view of a garden square, but the pane was cracked.
Nigel, she whispered, it’s dilapidated.
But the potential! he murmured. Imagine what we’d do!
Davies hurried them. Said other buyers were keen. Decision needed now. Nigel fidgeted, pacing rooms.
We’ll take it! he suddenly declared. Elaine, we’re taking it!
Nigel, wait—
No, I’ve decided! Davies, we’ll do the paperwork!
That evening, they sat at their kitchen table. Nigel sipped tea, planning renovations. Elaine stayed silent.
Imagine, Nigel enthused, big room our bedroom. Middle room a lounge with fireplace. Small one my study. Computer, bookshelves…
How will we afford the work? said Elaine.
Gradually. Room by room. Make somewhere liveable first, then beautify later.
What if we can’t make payments?
We will! Nigel brushed it aside. I’ll find extra work. Help neighbours build conservatories weekends.
Next day, Nigel sold the ring. Elaine stayed home, cleaning, cooking lunch. Yet her mind kept returning to the flat. Something nagged, undefined.
She called Emily.
Mum, what flat? Emily sounded puzzled. Why? You’re fine where you are.
Dad decided. He says it’ll be better.
Mum, can you afford it? You always said pensions were tight.
Dad sold Gran’s ring.
What?! Emily cried. Mum, are you mad? That’s a heirloom! Dad always said it would pass down!
Emily, I argued. He won’t listen.
Mum, stop him! It’s madness! Spending so much when you don’t even know what’s ahead!
The call left Elaine distraught. Emily was right. But how stop Nigel once he committed?
He returned jubilant.
Sold! he announced at the door. Got ten and two! Imagine? More than hoped!
Nigel, think again? Elaine pleaded. Emily rang. She’s against it…
What does Emily know? Nigel dismissed. Too young, too green. She’ll thank us once she sees the new place!
Paperwork completed swiftly. Davies took his money, departed
The shadowed walls of their unfinished dream echoed only silence, heavy with the irrevocable loss of the simple contentment that small, well-loved home had always held, a place sold not just for bricks and mortar but for a happiness recklessly exchanged.
