The train announcement interrupted their conversation, and Nina listened as the next station was called out. ‘Oh, okay, that’s me. My stop’s coming up. Thanks for checking in. I’ll text you when I’m nearly there.’
‘See you soon. Love you, Neens.’
‘Love you, too.’
As Nina got off the train, worked out what platform she was meant to be on, went up the steps, and back down the other side, she thought about the investment flat. She’d realised once she’d appointed the solicitor that she probably could have used a solicitor anywhere and not gone back to the one Andrew had used. But somehow, using the same firm and the London trip was a necessary step in closing that chapter of her life. It felt as if it had been a very long time coming indeed.
6
Nina stood with her head back and her chin up and looked at the gorgeous London building. It was a classic old Georgian property that had been converted into flats many moons before. Nina and Andrew had bought it when the area was still on the tatty, rough-and-tumble side. Now, it was far from it. The same as where her other flat was situated, the area had been gentrified to the hilt. She wasn’t sure whether or not she liked it. Sure, the bay trees in pots were nice, the shiny black painted front doors, the fancy Dutch e-bikes tied to perfect railings, but something about it didn’t feel right. Nina didn’t know what at first until it came to her. It didn’t feel thatfriendly. She tutted and shook her head. She’d become too used to Lovely Bay, where people spoke to you and smiled, and things were pretty and quaint. Where people actually knew your name, said hello and were interested in how you were going about your day.
She jumped out of the way as a food delivery cyclist zoomed past, nearly knocking her flying. He shook his head, looked over his shoulder, and shouted. ‘Oi! Idiot! Watch it! Look where you’re standing, love. It’s called a pavement. Know what one of those is? People cycle on it, you know!’
Nina just blinked, thinking she was not his ‘love’ and half-thought about yelling back about the law concerning cycling on the pavement. She didn’t bother. He was long gone anyway. ‘Charming,’ she said under her breath and made sure she stood closer to the edge of the pavement. Her phone pinged with a text.
Robby:Five minutes away. Parking is a nightmare around here!
Nina:Okay. I’ll see you outside the solicitors.
Nina ambled along past the property where her flat was and made her way towards the high street. It also had been gentrified. Long gone were the kebab shops and pawnbrokers of old. A fancy greengrocer with a black canopy outside made a big deal of selling artichokes, and a boutique estate agent drowned in Farrow and Ball green. A few minutes later, Nina was standing outside the solicitors.
Robby came hurrying the other way. He rolled his eyes. ‘How much does it cost to park around here? I had to use my credit card. Honestly, you can’t make it up.’
‘I know.’ Nina gestured around. ‘The whole area has changed exponentially over the years.’
‘No wonder people are saying they are priced out of London these days. Parking your car alone is an arm and a leg. Anyway, how are you? Okay?’ Robby kissed her on the cheek.
Nina was more than okay despite her nerves on the train and the feelings of closure on another chapter of her life. When she’d actually arrived and seen the flat’s building, she’d known she was ready. It was definitely the right thing to do. She wanted andneededclosure. She now just wanted it over and done with. Onwards and upwards with her new business and hopefully her new property in Lovely Bay. ‘I’m good. Yep.’
‘Let’s get this show on the road then. All good to sign on the dotted line?’ Robby joked and went to push open the door.
Nina suddenly wanted to go in alone. ‘Actually, do you mind if I do this bit on my own? I know you’ve come all this way but…’
‘Of course not. You know I said I was just coming along for the ride to see if you were okay. I don’t need to come in. See you in a bit.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Ready?’
Nina gave a half-hearted smile. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be. Time to get on with it.’
Nina entered the solicitor's office and immediately felt as if she’d zoomed back in time. It was a place that held memories of a different life, a different Nina. Once she’d checked in with the receptionist, the solicitor, Mr Hargraves, greeted her with a professional nod. ‘Ms. Lavendar, follow me.’
In the stark office with its shelves lined with legal books, a large mahogany desk, and certificates adorning the walls, Nina immediately felt as if she was in trouble. It was the kind of place where seriousness and importance oozed from just about everything. She remembered the last time she’d been in the room sorting out legal stuff after Andrew had passed away.
As they sat down, Nina glanced at the various documents laid out on the desk. This was it – the final step in letting go of a significant part of her past. Mr. Hargraves cleared his throat, breaking Nina’s train of thought. ‘So, we have everything prepared for the finalisation of the sale of your property. All we need now are your signatures in various places indicated here to complete the process.’ He slowly pushed a posh-looking fountain pen across the table.
Nina nodded, picking up the pen. Her hand hovered for a moment before she signed her name in the places indicated by little pink tabs. She swallowed and pushed back the pen. ‘Thanks.’
‘There, that’s all done,’ Mr. Hargraves announced, closing the folder. ‘You’ll receive the final documents in the post.’
Nina exhaled, a weight lifting off her shoulders. ‘Thank you.’
Two minutes later, Nina was standing back outside in the street. She’d made such a big deal of it, but it had been done in a flash. Robby put his hand on the small of her back. ‘How was that? You alright?’
Nina nodded, ‘Yeah. I’m good. It’s strange, though. It feels like the end of an era.’
‘It is, in a way. But it’s also the start of something new. Lovely Bay, your business, everything. You’ve got so much to look forward to. Plus, you now have the pleasure of being stuck with me,’ Robby joked. ‘That has to be worth something.’
