The House on Rosebank Lane by Millie Gray

Author:Millie Gray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black & White Publishing
Published: 2019-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

*

If Kirsten hoped there was a chance of Jessie changing her mind when she saw how much work had to be done in the hotel, she had another think coming. The minute Jessie put her foot over the threshold she too was captivated.

‘Hmm,’ she observed. ‘The folk we would be renting from, are they no’ responsible for squaring up any of the mess here?’ she asked.

‘Yes and no. According to the law the premises must be wind- and watertight . . . which they are. They also must ensure we have running water coming in and sewage going out.’

‘And that’s all?’

‘No, they also must provide electricity,’ replied Kirsten, before switching the light in the hallway on and off.

‘How many renting rooms?’

‘Ten at present, but I intend to subdivide four of the large rooms, so that would give us fourteen and the three attics.’

‘Nae guests going in the attics.’

Kirsten shook her head. ‘No, they’ll be the live-in quarters for any staff that need it.’

After that there was the tour of the hotel, with very little comment from either Jessie or Kirsten. However, when they reached the attics, Jessie started to make clucking noises.

‘Problem?’

‘Naw, naw. No’ a problem, Kirsten . . . far from it. Just thinking, I am, that the first thing we will do is get the biggest of these three attic rooms done up.’

‘Why?’

‘Because that will be my room and I need to move in right away.’

Kirsten gaped.

‘Remember, I told you it was time for me to move on from Granton. Biding here,’ she said, clutching a pillowcase in each hand, ‘will suit me just fine. And think of the bonus, Kirsten. I will be on hand during all of the renovations. Keep an eye on everything, I will.’

How Kirsten longed to backtrack, to not agree to Jessie being her partner. That boat, she reluctantly conceded, had sailed. Besides, she was so keen to take up this hotel offer and build a new life for herself and the children . . . So much so that if putting up with Jessie every day was the price, it was a price she would be prepared – in fact, happy now – to pay.

After the hotel tour, Kirsten suggested that instead of Jessie taking home the money in the pillowcases it would be wiser, in fact necessary, for them to open up a bank account. Reluctant though she was to part with her life’s earnings, Jessie agreed, so they crossed over the road to Picardy Place and entered the Bank of Scotland Greenside branch.

They dumped the pillowcases on the counter and, naturally, the manager was summoned. ‘Where did you get this money?’ he asked.

‘My mother-in-law’s life savings, that is,’ Kirsten replied, as she pushed the bundles nearer the cashier. ‘She is now afraid of being robbed so she has decided to deposit it here.’

‘That’s right,’ Jessie emphasised, before giving the bundles one last loving pat.

‘You wish the account to be in both your names?’

‘Aye, going together into the hotel business, we are, isn’t that right, Kirsten?’

‘Well, with a bit of luck we are.

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