It must have been a paradise in its day.’ I glanced at him, but he wasn’t the best conversationalist. ‘That house and garden needs to be filled with people. It has so much to offer. One thought I had, was an inner city B&B, but with old fashioned charm. I’d call it Carmody House.’ I began to warm to the idea once again. ‘Sounds nice doesn’t it?’ And this time I got a curt smile from him. ‘Or I even thought about running cooking classes from the house, using produce grown in the kitchen garden supplemented by the numerable gourmet outlets in the area. It’s one of those properties that could have many uses, and could bring pleasure to many people. Even weddings in the garden, I can see them now!
With my hands in my lap, I leant back in my chair smiling, watching Mr Scott’s face. Momentarily, he appeared amused. His long pale slender hands once again clasped together on the table in front of him. Hands that looked like they had never done a manual day’s work in their life.
Briefly, he looked down and then he looked up at me again. ‘And you would have a dog?’
I sat up in my chair, looking surprised at his line of questioning. I spluttered, ‘Sure… of course… a couple of dogs.’ I felt my face light up again. ‘Actually, I love dogs. I’m sorry to say my former husband was not so keen, but that’s about to change as soon as I get myself settled. In fact, there are going to be many changes. Anyway, I have a list, and dog is on the top…’ I stopped. I knew I was rambling, however as Mr Scott was very quiet, I was filling in the pauses, as I had a habit of doing.
‘So, you didn’t see it as a family home?’ he asked, brow furrowed, looking over the top of his reading glasses, making it sound as if there should be a correct answer.
‘Oh absolutely, for someone else I could not think of a better place to raise a growing family. It would be idyllic. But…’ and I glanced down at my hands in my lap and swallowed. ‘Just not for me…’ My face clouded over, my pain returning where I thought it had eased. I cleared my throat and attempted to move on. ‘I’m sure …’
Mr Scott cut me off. ‘Perhaps one day?’
I blinked a couple of times and swallowed again, unsure if he was asking me, or offering words of comfort.
‘Perhaps one day Mr Scott.’ In a far more business-like manner, I moved on. ‘I’m sure you remember me saying that I am no longer in the real estate industry, and while I am flattered that Mr Carmody thought I might like to market the property for him, yesterday I took a former colleague with me to view it.’ I looked directly at Mr Scott. He said nothing. I pulled Marty’s business card from my bag and slid it across the table. ‘As Mr Carmody appeared to trust my judgement, I’m happy to oversee Marty Edwards and will endeavour to make sure we do the right thing for Mr Carmody’s family.’
He glanced briefly at the card, but left it where it lay on the table. He reminded me of a headmaster, and I, feeling once again like a school girl, had become nervous of my answers, hoping to respond correctly. John Scott’s hands were now joined together as if in prayer, at his chin. ‘So your living arrangements at the moment are?’
‘Oh?’ I was rather taken aback. He was an unusual man, his line of questioning odd. ‘I’m staying with my mother here at New Farm for the short term.’ I didn’t feel it necessary to explain my plans for travel.
‘And then you wish to…?’
I gave an ironic laugh. ‘Mr Scott… I’m…’ For a few seconds I was lost for words. ‘I’m trying to make a new life.’ There I’d said it. ‘A new career, a new home, a new everything.’
He leant forward. ‘Yes I see.’ Squinting at me, he looked as if he did see. He exhaled heavily and if it was possible, sat even more upright. ‘Mr Carmody spoke highly of you.’
I slowly nodded, smiling, grateful for the compliment. He scratched at his temple. Patiently, I waited.
He opened a folder and studied it for a few minutes. Murmuring to himself, he then glanced back at me. ‘So, if you were to purchase the property, what do you think a fair price would be?’
I put a hand up. ‘Mr Scott, I don’t think you understand! As much as I love the property, I am not in a position to be able to buy a property of that calibre. I wish I was, but I’m not.’
‘Right… hmmm,’ he said slowly, and then pushed a piece of paper towards me. ‘What do you think about this figure?’
I looked at the sum. ‘What...?’ I frowned. ‘I’m sorry but I’m not following you? Are we talking about the same property?’
‘Yes we are. Perhaps I should explain further.’ He straightened his glasses on his nose. ‘That price comes with a condition. You may not find it agreeable and you are within your rights to say so. For quite some time Mr Carmody knew he was not long for this world. As I have handled his affairs for many years, and as he had no family, he asked me if I would act as executor of his affairs.’
‘No family at all?’
‘No. His ex-wife was an American lass and that is where she now resides. Mr Carmody was an only child and he had no children. His loves were his dog and his garden.’ He looked at me.
I nodded. ‘Yes, I met Wilbur the labrador. I told Mr Carmody, I would gladly take Wilbur for him, but unfortunately our home at the time was unsuitable. I believe he went to an old friend of Mr Carmody’s. I know how traumatised he was by it. It was terribly sad.’
‘That is correct, but it was never meant to be long term.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Now, Mr Carmody was most grateful that you kindly made that offer. He was moved by your generosity.’ He exhaled. ‘Which leads me to this next point. Mr Carmody left strict instructions that if you were to purchase the house, at what we shall call a special price, then he has one wish.’
Baffled, I looked at him closely.
‘The dog comes with the house.’
I gave a small laugh. ‘Mr Scott, as soon as I get myself settled I will gladly take Wilbur. It would be a pleasure.’
Mr Scott leant back in his chair. ‘I see Mr Carmody was right about you. He said you were a generous person. The thing is he wants you to have the house. But he also wants to assist a struggling business. Perhaps you have heard of it. It’s called Silverback Acres.’
I shook my head.
‘It’s a sanctuary in Tasmania for old dogs whose owners have had to go into care. The people that run it are a retired couple and are self-funded. Mr Carmody has bequeathed the money from the sale of the house to Silverback Acres. Although he was impressed with the sanctuary, he thought Tasmania would be too cold for Wilbur.’
‘I’m still not quite following. If Mr Carmody wanted to assist Silverback Acres then surely he would want top dollar for his property. The price you’ve mentioned is about a fifth of what that property is worth.’
‘Yes, but you’ve missed one important thing.’ He paused briefly. ‘He wants the dog to spend his old age on his property.’
‘Oh I see.’ I leant back in my chair. Mr Scott sat quietly. I looked at my hands while I thought, and then I looked up. ‘I would have gladly taken Wilbur for him you know.’
‘I do know Mrs Riding.’ And he pushed the papers towards me. I looked at them, but did nothing. Mr Scott sensing my hesitation raised his eyebrows in question.
‘Mr Scott, I have been in the real estate industry for many years. I know paying this small amount of money for that property does not seem right.’
‘I wouldn’t call one million dollars a small amount of money.’
‘I think you know what I mean.’
He nodded. ‘Mr Carmody said you were honourable. I have a question. Can you afford this sum, because I can work something out for you?’
I blinked rapidly and held my hands out. ‘That’s not it. I can afford it. It’s