Settling In

By Bridgitte Lesley

Returning home meant the world to Charity. Buying her old family home was all that mattered. Once she moved in she would eventually be able to settle in, and settle down. The former family home would be restored to its former glory. Did it matter that the father of her children lived right next door? Or that he wasn’t aware of their existence?

Meeting Wayne and Mandy, the twins from next door, quickly became the highlight of Clifford’s existence. It didn’t take long and they crept in to his heart. But why were they so special to him? What was it that made them different?

After seeing Charity for a brief moment Clifford had to track her down. He hadn’t seen her for five years. He realized he was still head over heels in love with her. But would she accept him? Had she moved on? Is there a second chance at love for Charity and Clifford?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bridgitte Lesley
• Release date: Aug 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463709993

Bridgitte Lesley

Hello from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!Having survived an attempt at being murdered, I have plunged myself in to my writing. After my gruesome ordeal, I live life from day to day. Appreciating every minute and moment. Yes, I have the scars from an axe being driven in to my head repeatedly. I suffer from PTSD and OCD. But, I am here to tell the tale. And I have a lot to tell!I am currently revamping my older titles and will be adding a few. In a nutshell, you will find a mix of romance, adventure, lots of witty banter and a happy ever after. All round, expect a feel-good read.Thank you for reading and for your support!Bridgitte

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Charity walked around the enormous empty house with the estate agent. She looked at every little detail and had to contain her excitement. She smiled to herself and nodded. I will take it, she said.

There is a lot of work to be done if you want to live here, Paul said.

Mister Dixon I can see that. Yes, I realize, there is a lot to do. And it will take a long time. But this is what I am looking for. This is exactly what I am after. This house has a lot of potential, she said.

Would you like to complete the paperwork? he asked, knowing how long the house had been on the market.

You can draw up the paperwork. I will be giving you a cheque, she said.

For the full amount?

For the full amount. I just sold my property.

Are you ready to leave?

I am, she said, and they walked out of the house. Paul locked the house, and they climbed in to the car and drove back to the office.

The house has a little cottage at the back of the property. I didn’t show you that, he said.

No need, she said.

Clifford stood and looked through the window in the kitchen. He had seen so many people look at the house next door. It was an eyesore. The house had been neglected and was so run down that not a soul was interested in buying. One of the bedrooms had no floor. There were almost no light fittings left due to it being vandalized. He shook his head and smiled. The agent persevered. He didn’t give up on trying to sell the property. The property was three times the size of any of the others in the suburb. It was what remained of the original old farmhouse that had been left after the land was split up and sold. The only positive was that the house was sturdy.

Paul drove straight to his offices and parked the car. They both climbed out and Charity followed him to his office. He sat down and drew up the paperwork. Charity wrote out her check and handed it to him. But they haven’t accepted your offer yet. Rather wait, he said as he held the check in his hands.

They will. After what I saw today. They will. Rather call them and see whether they can agree verbally, she said and got up to leave. I will wait in the reception area, she said and Paul nodded as she walked out. He was quiet for a while as he watched her walk out of his office. She was so reserved and quiet and didn’t say much. She didn’t chat unnecessarily, but she spoke when it was necessary. Her body language portrayed that of someone who was not happy with life or someone who had suffered. She didn’t swing her limbs loosely but walked as if controlled. He didn’t want to ask though. He didn’t like befriending his clients.

Paul hesitantly picked up the phone and dialed the owner. Hilton. I have a buyer, Paul said.

Thank you Lord! Hilton the owner said and Paul chuckled.

I have a cash offer. If you agree to it I have the check in my hand. The buyer won’t go any higher, he said.

And the amount? Hilton asked and he read the figure.

It is a little lower than what we envisaged. Paul I am going to accept the offer. I know the place isn’t looking too good, he said.

Hilton. There is one light dangling down from the ceiling in the kitchen. There are no light fittings left. I can’t even tell you if there is a geyser, he said.

No! Really? Hilton said.

That place has been vandalized. It has been stripped bare. The cupboards don’t even have handles. And most of the doors don’t have door knobs, Paul said.

Now I feel rather bad, Hilton said.

Hilton. This has been like a rope around your neck, Paul said.

And I am glad I am selling. Draw up the papers, Paul. I can pop over in an hour and come and sign.

Thank you. I will get the buyer to sign them in the meantime.

Much obliged, Hilton said and Paul put down the phone and smiled. He got up and walked to reception.

Miss Peters. Your offer has been accepted, he said and Charity smiled and nodded.

Thank you. Will you call me when I can collect the keys?

I certainly will. In fact—, he said and was quiet for a while and changed his mind about what he was going to say. I would give you the keys but we need to have your check cleared, he said.

You can call the bank and they can give you clearance over the phone if you are not sure, Charity said.

No. No. I am going to give you the keys. Don’t do anything just yet, he said and Charity smiled as she took the keys.

Thank you Mister Dixon, she said as she walked out. She now had a beautiful property. But now the work would begin. As Charity climbed in to the car she wanted to shout with joy. Her goal had been achieved and it had cost her far less than she had anticipated. The family home was once again in the family where it belonged. Her excitement levels were so high. The first thing she did was drive straight to her newly purchased property. Whatever state it was in, it was home. It had always been her home but now she could restore it to its former glory.

Clifford heard the van pull up and walked to the kitchen. He didn’t recognize the vehicle. It couldn’t be Paul the agent. He watched as the driver drove right down to the cottage at the bottom of the yard. And then it was out of his line of sight.

Garth walked in to the kitchen. Standing here watching the day go by? he asked.

No. I saw the agent brought someone over this morning. And now there is a van that has just pulled in, Clifford said and Garth looked out.

So where is it?

Gone all the way down to the cottage, Clifford said.

One thing selling that property. But whoever buys is in for a big surprise, Garth said.

I hope he sells it soon. It is not good to have that property standing empty like that. Not good for any of us, Clifford said.

You don’t even hear them breaking in, Garth said.

That is what worries me. Let’s hope, then, he said and Garth nodded.

Charity opened the door of the cottage and walked inside. She smiled as she looked around. This would be her new home. It would take time to get everything sorted out, but she didn’t mind. She had enough money to survive for many years. She took a notepad out of her bag and walked through every single bedroom and made a list of what she would need. As she walked around, she decided on a theme for the cottage. There were two spacious bedrooms in the cottage. It was rather large and the size of a small house. She looked around and made a decision to keep everything rustic. Wooden beds and furniture would suit the surroundings. And the fireplace would definitely be used. She walked up to the light switch and tried it. There was no power. Charity walked over to the unit on the wall and took the card which was propped up on top and covered in a thick layer of dust. She would buy power and load it. The cottage would soon become a home. Charity walked out of the cottage and climbed in to the van. Her first stop would be the hardware. There was no reason for her check not to be cleared. And no reason to wait before buying bits and pieces for the cottage. She drove up the driveway and looked at the weeds which had taken over the entire garden. When she originally looked at the property she hadn’t even noticed the state of the garden. She stopped her van and dialed.

This is Oliver’s Garden Service how may I help?

This is Miss Peters. Oliver did you say? she asked.

Yes Ma’am, he said.

I have a property which I would like mowed. It is overgrown at the moment. It is a large property. Can you help? she asked.

I have my team free at the moment. Would that help?

Oh that would be wonderful. Now. I want everything mowed. The whole lot. There are no flowers so there isn’t that to contend with. But there are a few flower beds right in front. Could you have those turned over please?

We can. Could you give me the address please, Oliver said and Charity gave the details. Oliver was quiet for a while.

Is there a problem? Charity asked.

I maintained that garden about three years ago. Have you just bought?

I have. Can you help?

I can. I can be there in fifteen minutes.

I won’t be here. I will have to pay you when I get back. Would that be a problem?

Not at all.

Oliver, can you give me the cost please, she said and Oliver gave her the fee. I will draw the cash. Thank you.

No problem.

Please let me have a quote to have it mowed weekly. Once I have sorted out the garden, I would need to have that maintained, she said.

Sure, he said and Oliver put down the phone and smiled. It was the biggest property in the area. The price he charged was steep, but it was right. He had always maintained the property, and he loved what it had looked like when the flowers were in full bloom. But the owners had left the garden to let it go wild.

Charity drove up the driveway and made her way to town. She stopped and drew money at the machine at the bank. The next stop was to the hardware, and she slowly walked up and down the aisles. She knew what she wanted, but it was nice to look. One thing she enjoyed was browsing. Her trolley was loaded. The pile grew as she added her paint and all the light fittings. She bought covers for all the light fittings. Even if there were any left she would replace them. Everything was stacked on to the trolley. One of the workers helped her to push the trolley. She added the last item. A fold up step ladder so that she could reach the ceiling. Charity smiled as she climbed in to her fully loaded van. Every item she needed had been purchased, and she drove back to the house and started carrying everything in to the cottage. When she arrived they were still busy with the lawn.

Oliver walked down to the cottage and knocked and waited. Charity opened the door. Miss Peters.

Oh! Oliver! Gosh let me pay you. Have you a quote for doing the lawn weekly? Charity asked and Oliver gave her the figure. What day is the best? Charity asked.

Ma’am I can do a Friday. In the morning, he said.

Yes that would work. I prefer to pay in cash. Would you like that weekly or once a month?

Weekly please, Ma’am, he said and Charity took out her diary. She made a note of the figure and wrote a reminder to enter the details every Friday. As she handed him the wad of cash he smiled.

Oliver there will be changes to the garden. Not right now. But there will be, she said. He took the cash and looked at the goods in the middle of the floor. She turned and looked. Lots to do.

Yes I can imagine there is. The house needs a lot of work so I am told, he said.

Yes. But it will be sorted out, eventually. Even better than it was before.

Oliver nodded and smiled and turned and walked out. He suddenly stopped. Have you bought this property? he asked.

Yes. I have, she said.

Peters. I know that surname. This property. Many years ago. Before it was split up and sold. It belonged to a family named Peters. They were quite a wealthy family. Are you related? he asked.

I am, she said.

I was friends with Dodge and Clint. They had a sister. Can’t recall her name right now. She dated Clifford. He lives next door. Oh that went on for years. But then the family up and moved. I don’t know what happened to them. Same age as me, Clint. But she was much younger. I wonder what happened to them? She knew what had happened to them but she wasn’t going to discuss family matters with a stranger.

Clifford watched the goings on next door. He heard the lawnmowers being pushed up and down. Sounds like things are finally happening next door, Garth said.

The weeds were waist height. That is going to make such a difference. I see it is Oliver’s team who is working next door. The place must have been sold. I wonder who to, Clifford said.

Lucy smiled and shook her head. You have a very soft spot for that property, Lucy said.

Lots of happy memories there, Lucy, Clifford said.

Did you ever hear from her after she left? Lucy asked.

No. Not a word. We had a big fight before she left, Clifford said.

I don’t remember that. So strange that she left in such a hurry, Lucy said.

I can still remember that day. What I said to her. I can kick myself. I was so harsh. She was so young. And I was wrong. So wrong. She probably hates me by now, he said.

A long time ago, Cliff. Why do you even care? After all these years, she said.

Because I fell in love with her. And I never stopped loving her, he said.

But you have had a few relationships after that, she said.

Not like that, he said and Lucy nodded and looked at him.

I guess relationships that last a month are not really proper relationships. Are they?

No. Not one of those women even compared, he said.

You have to be with someone for a while to find out. You don’t seem to give it your all, she said.

Not what I am after. Frivolous relationship that end up going nowhere, he said.

But you have to give it a chance, she said.

I am not interested, he said.

And that is why you are destined to grow old all on your own, she said.

Be that as it may. I am not going to have a wife that I don’t love, he said.

Did you ever try to find out where she went?

You can say her name, Lucy.

Did you try to find Charity? she asked and Clifford shook his head.

Only after I had given her a piece of my mind did I realize how wrong I was. And then I realized what she meant to me. By then it was too late.

What did you say to her, Cliff? I meant to ask.

Clifford looked at his feet and was quiet for a while. I told her she was a slut, he said and Lucy gasped and stared at him. Yes. I also told her that I do not want to associate myself with a whore, he said and Lucy stared at him with huge eyes and her mouth gaping open contemplating whether or not to say anything.

Good Lord Cliff! What did she do? Lucy asked.

You mean what did I think she did? he said and Lucy nodded.

Peter made out as if he had slept with her. And then he made out as though Scott had slept with her. But they hadn’t. Because I checked the dates on the calendar. It wasn’t possible because those were the days that we were together. Ten-pin bowling. I should never have listened to them, he said.

What made them say that? How could you even believe them? Lucy asked.

They were so jealous that Charity and I were dating. At that stage I was the only one with a steady girlfriend. And then they made the little innuendoes. I should have known they were wrong. But I believed them. I was so wrong, he said.

And is that all you said?

Clifford shook his head. He closed his eyes and almost whispered. No.

Lucy stood and stared at him. She whispered. What else did you say?

Clifford almost groaned. I told her she was tainted. That no one would ever love her. That she was trash. She was the lowest form of life and I never want to see her again. I told her never to contact me. That I did not want to know her. To delete my number from her cell phone. To obliterate every memory because I would, he said and Lucy stared at him. I told her that I didn’t love her and I never had. That she was a good lay. And that was all she was good for, he said.

Oh Cliff! Lucy exclaimed.

I know. I have had to live with myself for many years, he said and Lucy shook her head.

Clifford if it was me I would never speak to you again, she said.

I know, he said and suddenly turned to listen.

CHAPTER 2

Mommy! Mommy! the children shouted. Clifford looked out of the window to see if he could see anything.

Oh isn’t she sweet! Lucy said and smiled and looked at the little girl standing on the back of the pick-up van.

The little girl lifted her hands and shouted. Mommy! She gurgled with laughter as a gent climbed out of the van and lifted her off of the back of the van. He watched as she ran down the driveway. He waved and climbed back in to the van and drove off.

Lucy looked at Clifford. Obviously Mommy is down at the cottage, she said.

"She must be four