[Author's note: In this chapter I've skipped forward a few months, and I'll fill in the gap soon, but I was so looking forward to the house move episode that I just had to write and post it. There'll be more of what happens in the family's new home when I've caught up with the time in between]
*
That Friday evening, as we were eating, I asked, "Does anybody have any particular plans for tomorrow?"
Laura answered, "Amy and I had thought about perhaps going into town shopping, but not for anything special."
I looked to Pam. "Well, there's some washing to do, but it could wait," she replied. "Do you have something in mind?"
"I have a surprise for you," I said.
Pam raised her eyebrows. "Do I know about it?" she asked.
I smiled. "Actually, no -- but I already know you'll like it."
When we'd finished the meal, we watched television for a while, then Amy said, "Well, if something special is happening tomorrow, I think I'll get an early night, so I can enjoy it, whatever it is."
"Me too," said Laura, and the two disappeared upstairs.
Pam turned to me. "Give me a clue?" she said, smiling.
I shook my head. "No way -- I'm looking forward to seeing the look on your face."
A glint came into her eyes and she said in her best seductive voice, "I bet I could persuade you to spill the beans."
"I'd enjoy you trying, but it's not going to work," I replied.
"Fair enough," she said, smiling. "I'll just have to contain my frustration."
We went up to bed, and were soon asleep.
After breakfast the next morning, I said, "OK, time we were off."
"Do we need anything?" asked Laura.
"Not a thing," I grinned.
We all got in the car and I set off out of town. We'd just left the suburban sprawl behind when I spotted the landmark I'd been looking for, and turned off the main road. After a few minutes, I turned again, and we passed through open gates and onto a short gravelled drive. I pulled up in front of a large Georgian house, and stopped the car in what would once have been the carriage circle.
"Doesn't look like anyone's about," I said. "Hop out and let's have a look round."
We all got out of the car, and I walked towards the front door. I pushed it, and it swung easily open. I walked through into a large hallway, with Oriental rugs covering the oak flooring.
"Tim," said Pam, "shouldn't we wait for someone before just wandering around?"
"Don't worry," I said, "I guarantee the owner won't have any objections."
Pam followed me, Amy and Laura tagging on behind, and we looked briefly into a snug living room before moving on to the large panelled dining room, with a view out onto an extensive lawn.
"Nice," said Amy, "I can imagine peacocks on the grass, and croquet, and everything."
We came back into the hall, and went further back, entering the kitchen.
"Oh, I've always wanted an Aga," said Pam, placing a hand on the chrome rail at the front of the range.
"Me too," said Laura. "I just love the warmth."
"Let's take a look upstairs," I said. We retraced our steps, and I went first, up the wide staircase onto a landing which ran all the way round the upper floor, overlooking the hallway.
"Master bedroom here -- think they've had an en suite put in," I said. "Guest rooms here, and a bathroom between with connecting doors. Like something out of Agatha Christie."
"Wonder what this door is?" said Amy. I turned the handle, and we walked through into a short hallway. To one side was a large room with a dining table and chairs, and on the other side we looked through into a compact but well-equipped kitchen. At the end of the hallway a door led into a comfortable lounge. At the other end of the lounge, through an archway, I glimpsed a bathroom, and two more open doors, each of which led into a spacious bedroom.
"Gosh, what a nice self-contained flat," said Laura.
I grinned. "Looks like there are some stairs down from the balcony. We can get down to the back without even going through the house."
I opened the doors onto the balcony, and we went down the stairs, finding ourselves at the back of the house. To one side there was a tennis court, and on the other a long, low brick building with a door towards one end of the blank wall facing us.
"Let's take a look what's in here," I said.
I opened the door, and motioned to Pam and the girls to precede me. "Gosh," said Amy. "This pool's bigger than yours!"
Laura walked down the side of the pool. "Sauna too, and a hot tub, and showers. Neat!"
Then she looked across the pool, out through the floor-to-ceiling glass. Beyond was another wide lawn, then a short path through overhanging bushes through which another building was partly visible, again with tall windows. "That almost looks like a studio," she said.
"Go and have a look," I suggested.
We followed her out across the lawn and down the path, and as she opened the studio door I could see her artist's eye taking in the aspect of the windows, and the way that the light would fall at different times of the day. The look on her face -- not even desire, but a pure expression of 'if only,' made my mind up for me.
"So what do you think to the place?" I said, my voice casual.
"It's gorgeous," said Pam.
"That flat was such a great idea," added Amy, "Don't you think, Laura?"
Laura didn't immediately respond, and I could almost see the picture in her mind, of an easel, and space, and privacy to create. She nodded.
"I'm glad," I said. I paused, then added casually, "I'm not sure they'd take it back -- I can't quite remember now where I put the receipt."