All three of them stood for a second and didn’t say anything, taking in the expansive ground floor. Ella walked over to the barn doors, leaned down, yanked up a bolt, and scraped the door back a touch. Light and air billowed into the room. ‘Imagine the possibilities. With some work, this could be an amazing space. I thought it from the second I first walked in.’
Nina nodded, her mind racing with ideas. ‘It's got so much character. Idolove it.’
Birdie chimed in as she walked over and touched one of the walls. ‘Structurally, it seems sound and these beams,’ she pointed upwards, ‘they add character, and they look like they were reinforced at some point.’
Nina walked around the space, touching the weathered wood. ‘There's a fair amount of work to be done, but tell me if I’m barking up the wrong tree. It feels like there is a lot of history in these walls. It’s calling out to be given a new life.’
Ella agreed, ‘Absolutely.’
Birdie craned her neck up to the industrial pendant lamps. ‘These could be a feature. Imagine them restored…’
Ella nodded. ‘Yeah, there are loads of things like that.’
Nina chuckled. ‘Are we including the kitchen in that?’
They followed Ella, today in flat shoes, up to the second floor and then the third floor. Birdie squeezed in amongst the fishing junk. She shuffled down to the window and let out a low whistle at the view. With her hands on her hips, she gazed out at the harbour with wide eyes. ‘Well, would you look at that? It's not every day you get a view like this. Living here never gets old. I’d forgotten what it’s like up here and from this side of town.’ She swore. ‘It’s outstanding.’
Ella squeezed up next to Birdie and leaned against the window frame. ‘I told you the third floor had something special. You can see the entire harbour from here, and on a clear day, the horizon seems to go on forever. I was up here the other dayshowing someone else around and just couldn't believe it. You think you’ve seen it all…’
Nina joined them. ‘It's breathtaking. I can already picture the sunsets from here.’
Birdie looked thoughtful for a second. ‘This is the jewel in the crown. With windows like these, you'd want to wake up to this. Once there’s no junk, that is.’
Ella nodded. ‘Imagine waking up to the view every morning.’
Nina's eyes were fixed on the horizon. ‘I’m sold.’
Birdie chuckled. ‘I think anyone would be. I’m surprised it’s not been snapped up already.’
‘The work puts people off,’ Ella said as she gestured around. ‘Think of the space as a blank canvas. What else do you see here?’
Birdie pointed to the exposed beams. ‘This ceiling shape could be a feature, and the lovely old dormer windows.’ Birdie sighed, ‘I might have to buy it myself. I could hide from the world up here, never to be seen again. I’d never have to dispense another drug in my life.’
Ella smiled. ‘I have two interested parties. Ha! I love where this is going.’
Nina looked at Birdie. ‘It feels right, doesn't it? Like I was meant to find this place and breathe new life into it.’
Birdie gave Nina a knowing smile. ‘It does have a way of speaking to you. Places like this, they have a soul. As I said, that view…’
‘It’s got a lot of scope. Thank goodness they were zoned well.’ Ella added.
Nina’s mind raced. ‘I can see it now.’ She walked over to the other end of the room, where light peeked in through a dirt-smudged window. ‘I would have to use what is here. There wouldn’t be any budget for anything.’
Birdie chuckled. ‘Tap your boyfriend up for some help. He’s rolling in it. Ditto the O’Connors as a whole.’
Nina’s response was instant. ‘God no! I want to do this all myself.’
Birdie nodded. ‘Joking.’ She pointed down to the floor. ‘In interior designer-speak, don’t they call these reclaimed wood floors these days?’
Nina clapped her hands together. ‘Too funny.’
‘It ticks loads of boxes if you ask me.’ Birdie said.
Nina nodded over and over. ‘It’s just what I want.’
‘I take it that means you want to make a formal offer.’ Ella laughed.
Nina nodded. ‘Yes, yes, I think I do.’
