Cally nodded, smiling. ‘I was amazed when I started pulling them out. It's like a treasure trove in here.’
Nina reached out and gently touched a vintage Chanel bag. ‘I can’t believe this is hidden away like some discarded junk. And we thought the hat room was something…’
‘I know. I looked them up on eBay…’
‘And?’
‘Put it this way, you’re looking at a flat or a deposit for one.’
‘Wow!’
As they stood there, marvelling at the incredible collection of designer bags, Cally shook her head. Nina reached into the cupboard and carefully pulled out a vintage leather suitcase. Despite its age, the leather was supple and smooth. 'Look at this,' she sighed. 'The craftsmanship, the attention to detail. I wonder if they still make them like this?’
Cally nodded, running her fingers over the locks and clasps. 'You have to wonder about the places it's been and the people who've carried it.’
‘Yeah, a glimpse into a world that's so different from our own. At least, mine anyway.'
‘And mine!’
Cally thought about her own battered, second-hand luggage, the cheap, flimsy bags that had always seemed to be falling apartat the seams. Not that she’d ever used them much. The idea of owning something as luxurious and well-made seemed a bit like a fantasy from another life. 'It's crazy to think about the kind of money these bags must have cost when they were new,' she mused, shaking her head in disbelief. 'I mean, I've never even seen that many zeros on a price tag before.'
Nina chuckled. 'Can you imagine walking into a shop and just casually dropping that kind of cash on a handbag? Like it was nothing?'
Cally snorted, the idea so absurd that it was comical. 'I can barely wrap my head around spending that much on a car, let alone a bag to carry my lipstick in.'
'In a way, it's kind of sad to see them sitting here like this, gathering dust and forgotten about. These bags were meant to be used, to be loved and cherished, and passed down through generations.'
Cally nodded. 'You're right. It's like they're just waiting for someone to come along and give them a new lease on life.'
'Maybe that someone could be you, Cal, once your feet are under the table.’ Nina winked.
‘Hilarious. I don’t think so.’
‘Never a truer word said in jest, my friend.’
Cally chuckled. ‘Let’s hope you’re right. I wouldn’t mind a collection like this.’
14
Later that day after eating their lunch sitting out overlooking the grounds of Lovely Manor, Nina led Cally down one of the long corridors in the east wing to a room that had clearly seen better days. The door creaked as it opened, revealing a space crammed with boxes, a desk buried under papers, and vintage filing cabinets standing against the walls, their drawers bulging with documents.
‘Another room full of old stuff. Looks like this is yet another one that has been neglected for far too long,’ Nina said with wide eyes. ‘I only briefly looked in here before. It’s mind-boggling how many rooms there are.’
Cally surveyed the scene. ‘Wow, there’s a lot to go through. Any idea what’s in all these boxes?’
‘I had a quick look through when I scoped the job. Mostly old files, paperwork from years back. Some of it might be important, but honestly, Cecilia said that nothing in here is that important.’ Nina shook her head and lowered her voice. ‘Not that I think she has a clue what’s important or not anyway.’
Cally nodded. She wasn’t going to start giving her opinion about Cecilia, Logan’s aunt, but, truth be told, she was with Nina all the way to the bank. ‘Alright. First things first, I’ll need to gothrough everything and sort it into categories. It’ll help to know what we’re dealing with. Yeah?’
Nina looked relieved. ‘I reckon. If you need me, I’ll be down the hall. Just shout if you find anything interesting or need any help.’
‘Will do.’
As the door clicked shut behind her, Cally took a deep breath and began the task at hand. She started with a floor-to-ceiling pile of cardboard filing boxes, pulling them down one by one and sifting through the contents. Old invoices, receipts, and letters filled the room with the scent of aged paper. To be quite honest, she had no clue really what to keep and what to throw, but as she worked, she made a little pile of anything that seemed particularly significant or interesting. A good few hours passed in a blur of sorting and organising, and soon, the piles of papers began to make a bit of sense. The room, once chaotic and cluttered, slowly started to take on a more orderly appearance.
Just as she was beginning to make headway with the desk, Nina popped her head back in. ‘How’s it going in here?’
‘Good, actually,’ Cally said, looking up with a smile. ‘I’m making progress. There’s a lot to go through, but it’s not as bad as it first seemed. So much stuff!’
