An offer is immediately put in at thirty-six, so I bid thirty-seven. It’s followed by another bid and soon enough we are at the forty thousand mark. Things slow down a little then, the bids only going up in five hundred amounts. I can feel the palms of my hands begin to sweat as I try and steady my breathing. I don’t really want to go as high as fifty thousand, as it might cost that much to do the renovation.
I picture a courtyard with a blue gate and a huge lemon tree in a pot. A glimpse through the backyard on my last visit revealed it to be a bit of a jungle, although there is already an olive tree surviving amongst the wildness.
The bids climb higher, and my heart begins to thud even more. This is a million times more stressful than buying something on eBay; I remember the same feeling when I bid for a second-hand designer bag, and the disappointment I felt when I was outbid.
Please don’t let that happen today.
The bids climb, and suddenly there is another call on my mobile. I take a quick glance at my phone and recognise the number as an electricity company. I ignore it, but then there is a call on the intercom; a delivery guy is wanting to deliver something. I wonder whether they are signs that I should not proceed? I buzz the guy in and tell him to leave the parcel in the communal hallway, thankful that it doesn’t need a signature.
In a flash, the bidding is at forty-four thousand pounds, but things seem to have slowed down.
I say a silent prayer as I put in my final bid of forty-four thousand five hundred. The seconds feel like minutes, and I breathe deeply as my heart hammers inside my chest.
Then finally just as quickly as it started, the auction is over.
It takes me a moment to process what has just happened. I’ve only gone and done it. The villa in Greece is mine!
I let out a loud whoop before I race downstairs to collect my parcel.
Upstairs, I unwrap the box and admire the print on canvas. It’s a beautiful beach scene in vivid colours that I stumbled across on a website. I thought it would look good against my freshly painted white walls that contrast nicely with my dark-wooden dining table, but the timing feels like a sign that I have done the right thing.
Thinking about it, Josh has the talent to do something like this. I do hope he begins to dabble again as he has suggested he might. I would be proud to display one of his paintings on my wall.
It occurs to me then that the painting would also look good on the walls of my house in Greece.Myhouse!
I flop down onto the sofa and resist the urge to scream out loud, as the old guy across the landing would probably only knock and check I was okay if I did that. I’m bursting to tell my parents. Albeit slightly apprehensively, hoping they will approve.
I’ve decided to keep it a surprise from Evie until the weekend when I take her there. I will have to collect the keys from the estate agent first, and there is all the admin and costs, but I’ve done it.
I have bought my own little piece of paradise!
NINE
I call Josh immediately and tell him my news.
‘So, you did it then? Congratulations, I can’t wait to see it,’ he says enthusiastically.
‘Do you mean that? I’m heading over there for a long weekend with Evie next week. I mean, it’s going to take a lot of hard work, but when it’s done you must book a flight and come over. It might take a while to sort out a guest room though.’ I realise I am babbling away ten to the dozen and imagine him smiling at the other end of the phone.
‘It all sounds very exciting. I know how much you love Greece. Really, I’m happy for you. In Roda too, all those happy holiday memories from our childhood, as you said. I can’t wait to come over and see it.’
‘Thanks, Josh. You sound upbeat,’ I tell him, and he reveals he has just sold a top of the range BMW, so is in for a nice bit of commission.
‘Brilliant! Funny how money comes to you when you already have some,’ I say, thinking of our inheritance. ‘Ninety grand though? Who the hell has that kind of money to spend on a car?’ I’m aghast.
‘Erm, you,’ he reminds me. ‘It’s just that you chose to buy a house instead.’
‘Oh, yeah.’ I laugh. ‘And you.’
‘True enough, although I will probably spend mine sorting my life out,’ he says. ‘Oh, and I took your advice. I bought an easel and a top of the range painting set earlier. I’m going to the South Downs to paint on Sunday. George is having a day with Zoe’s parents.’
‘That sounds lovely.’
I don’t ask him why he and Zoe aren’t spending the day together.
We wrap up the call, then I remember Evie calling me earlier and return her call. She asks me if I fancy a trip into town tomorrow as she needs a few bits and pieces for our weekend away.
‘I wore my sandals out with all that walking we did last time, so need some new ones. Oh, and a new bikini. There won’t be much walking this time, I hope. I’m looking forward to a rest.’
