TO RENT:- Large room available to single working man. Bath and laundry facilities available. Also meals if required. Enquire within.
This was what I had been looking for, for weeks now. I just wanted to get settled into a space of my own where I could have peace and quiet. I had recently been divorced and left the house with the wife. Thank goodness we didn't have any children as I don't think I could have been separated from them.
Anyway, I rang the front door bell and waited. The door was opened by a woman who was probably in her late fifties. She had a full head of chestnut red hair and sparkling green eyes. These are the first things that I noticed.
"My name is Tony Reeves. I've come about the room. May I see it and get some details," I asked.
"I am Gloria Donald," she replied. "Come on in and I will show it to you, then we can discuss the details."
It was a very large bedroom, already equipped with a large queen size bed. There was a big bay window on one wall, which looked out onto the back garden. As well there was a robe and dressing table, and side tables holding a lamp on either side of the bed.
It was a beautiful room and I decided then and there that I would take it, even without knowing what the rent would be.
We returned to the sitting room and sat down.
"Would you like a drink while we talk," Gloria asked.
"Thank you, that would be great, Mrs Donald."
"Please call me Gloria, I feel too old when people call me Mrs Donald," she said laughingly.
"Alright Gloria, as long as you return the favor and call me Tony."
"Now, what would you like to drink, coffee or tea or something stronger."
"Coffee would be fine, milk and one sugar, thanks."
Sitting with our drinks, we got down to the nitty gritty of the rent and any rules that would be in place.
"I only want $300.00 a month for rent, and you have the use of the bathroom, laundry and you are also welcome to use the sitting room if you like. In case you have any visitors. If you want any meals, I will only charge you an extra $20.00 a week, as it is just as easy to cook for two as it is for one.
"That sounds great Gloria, are you sure that will be enough. I would be willing to pay more if necessary." Gloria replied, "That will be quite enough."
We settled on $500.00 per month and I said I would collect my things and move in the next day.
At last I had somewhere stable to lay my head. I was glad to be able to give a permanent address to work. I got all my things sorted out and bought a couple of bookcases for my books. I had quite a collection by now.