I have to tell someone my story. They say when you have written it down or told someone you feel better about yourself. We'll see.
The story starts when my husband and I took out a loan from a local builder as we did not want to put our house at risk from a bank loan. We agreed to a crazy guarantee if we defaulted for 3 months. But you never think that it won't work out as you are full of optimism in a new venture especially in your late twenties - the world is in front of you.
Anyhow we fell behind the payments and we waited and waited for the visit. The day arrived. A car pulled up outside and a big guy, 40 plus, got out and walked down our driveway. I recognised him as I had met him before when I had to agree to the terms of the loan although to be honest I had blanked that moment out of my mind.
The doorbell rang and Steve, my husband said "I'll get it" and he went and opened the door.
"Steve, how are you?"
The man said "Been expecting me - well here I am - can I come in?" Without waiting for a reply he walked in to the living room.
"Hello - Susan isn't it?" the man said.
"Yes" I replied although everyone calls me 'Susie'".
"Well Susie it is then" the man said.
Steve and I were standing up and he said "To cut to the chase can you settle the outstanding payments?"
Steve replied "Not entirely."
"Not entirely?" the man replied.
"Anything at all?" the man then said.
Silence followed.
The man quickly said "I take that as a 'no' then and I guess the clause kicks in" and he looked around.
"Let's go upstairs" he said.
Steve, getting agitated said "can we come to another arrangement - reschedule or something?"
"Nope - upstairs NOW!" he said in a different tone of voice.
I was slightly stunned by the change in tone and on semi auto pilot started walking upstairs and Steve followed obviously reluctantly.
"Main bedroom" the man said.
We were in the bedroom and he shut the curtains and I quickly turned the light on so we could see what was going on.
The man looked around. "Nice". "You do remember the terms of the loan?"