‘For sure. Okay, look, I’m driving, and I’m getting to my next appointment now. So, I’ll let you know about the hotel viewing.’
‘Yes, just out of interest, who’s coming to see it?’ Nina asked.
‘A couple of investors who live down in a place called Pretty Beach. Have you heard of it? It’s really nice down that way. It’s not far.’
‘No, not at all. It sounds nice, though.’
‘They are big entrepreneurs with a massive property portfolio, and The Summer Hotel came up in their search. They have a few Airbnbs down in Pretty Beach and other places, and it’s on their radar. So yeah, fingers crossed this is the one, though I won’t be holding my breath anytime soon.’
‘Oh, well, okay, sounds promising. Just let me know. Text me and I’ll confirm.’
‘Yep, thanks, Neens. I’ll be in touch via text. See you later. Take care, bye.’
It was a few days or so after the conversation with Ella and the hotel viewing was locked in with the couple Ella had mentioned for the following week. They were coming to Lovely Bay from a place further down the coast called Pretty Beach. Just as Nina was getting into Robby’s car after finishing a morning of work, her phone buzzed with some texts; she saw two messages come in from Ella.
Ella:Sorry, I’ve made a complete boo-boo! I’ve told you the wrong date for the viewing; it’s not when I said, it’s actually today. I’ve got my weeks upside down! Worse than that, they’re on their way, and I’m on the other side of the flipping county!!! I’m losing the plot. I’ve got so much on my plate. I don’t suppose you’re available; otherwise, I’ll get Lennox to do it.
Nina chuckled to herself and checked her watch.
Nina:I’ve just clocked off. I was going to go home to do a load of quotes, so not a problem. What time are they going to be here?
Ella:Based on what I’ve worked out with the traffic and everything, they should be there in about an hour or so.
Nina:OK. All good, I can be there.
Ella:OMG, thank you so much. I just thought I was going to have to send Lennox from the office, but he’s just not good enough. There’s no way he will quickly get up to speed, and I don’t want to look unprofessional. Thank you, Neens!
Nina:Not a problem, leave it with me. I’m just going to go home, and I’ll change, and then I’ll be there. I’ll probably take the riverboat there and do some quotes on my phone while I wait.
Ella:You're a lifesaver, Neens, I owe you one.
Nina:Not at all. Don’t worry, I’ll call in the favour one day hahaha.
Ella texted back with a love heart emoji.
Nina smiled as she saw the riverboat puttering along the River Lovely towards her and waved as she spotted Clive at the back of the boat. After it pulled up, she waited behind a woman with a pram and a young toddler, stepped on and then smiled at Clive.
‘Bonjour,’ Clive greeted in his strange half-French, half-English accent that never really sounded like either at all.
‘Afternoon, Clive. How are you? All well in your world?’
‘Oui, oui. Good, thanks.’
‘What a beautiful day for a ride along the river,’ Nina observed.
‘It's always a beautiful day in Lovely Bay, rain or shine, as far as I’m concerned. I should add hailstones, storms, and snow to that,’ Clive noted with a laugh as Nina sat down near the front of the boat. ‘Sometimes we get all of those on the same day.’
‘Good point.’
‘Where are you off to on this fine day?’ Clive asked.
‘I’m actually on my way to The Summer Hotel. Ella has a viewing, but I’m doing it.’
‘Oh, something wrong with Ella, is there? Is she sick?’
‘No, she just wanted me to do it because I actually know quite a lot about it now, and she’s on the other side of the county.’
‘She’s not wrong there. Well, let me know how it goes. It’s been up for sale for such a long time. It has to be the longest ever in Lovely Bay history. Usually, stuff sells before the board goes up.’
