‘It was exactly like that, yes. It’s hard to take in at first, as you can imagine. I kept thinking they’d realize they’d made a mistake.’
‘That would be me, too.’ She laughs. ‘Jack and I are trying to scrape together a deposit for a flat or a small house, but to buy anything around here takes crazy money. We’ve probably got more chance of winning a prize draw.’
‘It must be very tough.’ I bite my lip. ‘So hard to get on the property ladder in a popular holiday place like this. We were renting back in Nottingham, too.’
Sarah is upbeat. ‘Well, that’s why I’m trying to be proactive in getting some work over the summer. Every little helps, as they say.’
I seize the chance to change the subject and ask about her university course which turns out to be a BEd.
‘I’ve loved being at uni but I can’t wait to get on with being a newly qualified teacher. I’ve secured a job at a small primary school about three miles from here and start my NQT year in September.’ Her face is shining with the passion for her new career. ‘In the meantime I’m going to be trying to get a couple of reading-nook design jobs in.’
I laugh. ‘I’ve always wanted a reading nook.’
‘Ooh, let me show you, then!’ She pulls up some pictures on her phone of the three most adorable nooks I’ve seen. My favourite example has been tucked into the corner of a large living room. A nook that resembles a cosy sanctuary bathed in soft light from glowing candles perched on nearby bookshelves. A steaming cup of tea by a plush armchair that’s draped with a knitted throw and a scattering of oversized cushions in warm, earthy tones complete thehyggevibe. I can almost smell the scent of vanilla in the air, mingling with the faint rustle of pages turning. The space feels like a gentle embrace for an avid reader – perfect for getting lost in a good book, away from the world. Away from old fears.
‘Seriously, I need this nook in my life,’ I gasp. ‘It’s the best I’ve seen.’
‘Really?’ Sarah’s eyes widen, and she looks out to the view. ‘To put that nook in this house, with the space you have, it would be wow. Just wow.’
‘I’ll give you a quick tour, if you like, see where it could go.’
Sarah is mesmerized when I lead her through the rooms.
‘Come upstairs,’ I say, guiding her up the floating glass staircase that seems to hover in the airy space. I still feel as if I’m stepping into a calm, private retreat when I go into the master bedroom. The bed faces a wall of glass, so you wake up to that same breathtaking view, but I can see the entire expanse of Lake Windermere from up here, so I like to keep the blinds partially down.
I point out the freestanding tub positioned perfectly under a skylight in a corner of the bedroom. ‘So you can soak under the stars at night.’ I grin.
And Sarah peeks just behind the sliding barn door where the wet room glows with its warm stone finish and a rainfall shower.
‘It’s just genius,’ Sarah breathes. ‘The whole space feels designed to blur the line between inside and out, making you feel like you’re living right in the middle of that view.’
Next to the master suite, the smallest spare bedroom stands empty, apart from a cluster of packing boxes. ‘This would be perfect for the nook if you don’t mind taking up the space,’ she declares, sweeping her arm to take in the view.
The lake seems even more imposing from this window and for most people Sarah would assume that would be a plus. But I don’t want to raise questions by saying I have reservations. ‘We can put a blind at the window if the sun gets too much,’ she says, unknowingly solving my problem.
‘That sounds perfect,’ I say. ‘This is the spot, then!’
She hesitates. ‘Is it OK if I just have a few minutes to make some notes and get a feel for the space?’
I leave Sarah to do some measuring. ‘I’ll make some coffee. Come down when you’ve finished and I’ll explain what we’d like doing in the kitchen.’
Downstairs, I crank up the coffee machine. Something moves at the edge of my vision – just past the line where thegarden meets trees. I stop dead, milk carton in one hand, eyes locked on the glass.
The branches shift, leaves trembling as if they’ve been disturbed. Breeze, maybe. Or not. I press my palm to the window. Nothing seems amiss now, but I swear I saw something move.
Sarah is up there for a while, and I can hear her padding around. Just as I’m about to shout to ask if she needs any help, she walks into the kitchen.
I point out the lurid red under the cabinets and the long wall. ‘I really don’t like strong colour in the house. Not everyone’s choice, but I much prefer neutrals. Let me get my laptop and I’ll show you some looks I’ve saved on Pinterest.’
I leave her while I grab my laptop from the bedroom. Back in the kitchen, we swipe through the images. Sarah has some great ideas. ‘See, if we use these shades, we’re bringing the outside in, so your interior feels seamless with the outside.’
There’s warmth in her attention, which I like. We chat a little longer, making plans for when she’ll start work in the kitchen.
When Sarah leaves, I wave her off from the front door. I’m actually looking forward to getting to know her better.
Tilda can sometimes seem a little odd, but Sarah? She just seems like a really nice, ordinary person.
26
