Then again, maybe it was just the wind, whispering nothing at all.
CHAPTER
10
For all her imaginary conversations about the Honeychurch house, when the phone call came about 10 am Sunday morning, it took Ella by surprise. She was hanging out a load of washing when Sam stuck his head out the back door to tell her that her mobile was ringing.
Ella missed the call, which came from a number she didn’t recognise, and quickly dialled it back.
‘Henry Graham,’ greeted the voice.
Ella’s heart took off like a helicopter. ‘It’s Ella Davenport, Henry. I missed a call from this number?’
‘Ah, Ella. I spoke with you Friday afternoon? At the Home Open on Chalk Hill Bridge Road?’
‘Of course, I remember. How are you?’
In the kitchen, Sam opened the pantry door and took out the Milo tin.
‘Are you working today, Ella?’
‘I’m not at work right now, but I can be if you need something.’ Ella crossed her fingers. Please need to buy the Honeychurch house.
‘Good. I’d like to take another look at that house. Can you get me in there today?’
‘Can I make a Milo, Mum?’ Sam asked.
She mouthed at him, ‘Wait a moment,’ and Sam’s chin got stubborn.
‘Of course, Henry. The property is vacant. I can meet you there any time. I just have to call in to the office to pick up the key.’
‘Mum?’ Sam asked. ‘Can I make a Milo?’
Impatiently, Ella waved at Sam that yes, he could. Anything so she could concentrate.
Sam pulled open the kitchen drawer, rattled through the teaspoons and slammed the drawer shut. Then he rattled the cups and stirred that Milo like his life depended on how many revolutions of the spoon he made in a minute.
Ella walked away from the noise so she could finish the call in peace.
‘How about noon? Does that work for you?’ Henry asked.
It gave her a couple of hours. ‘Of course.’
‘I intend to make an offer, Ella, just so you know. I have a few questions about the zoning.’
‘Some of those questions might be better put to the Shire Council, Henry, but I’ll have as much information as I can at hand. Not a problem.’
‘See you there.’
Ella pressed the button to end the call and let out a squeal of pure excitement. The noise brought Erik running into the kitchen on his bare feet.
‘What happened?’ Erik asked, hair wet from the shower.
‘That man who came to the Home Open on Friday night wants to see the house again,’ Ella said, lightning fast, turning two tight circles in the kitchen, dancing on the tiles.
‘Good for you, Ella. You are on your way.’
‘It’s no big deal,’ Sam grumped. ‘I bet he doesn’t buy it.’
He’d spilled a cup-sized splotch of milk on the countertop and it was leaching into spilled dry brown Milo grains, turning the whole mess chocolate.
‘Make sure you clean up the kitchen when you’ve finished your drink, please, Sam.’
Silence greeted her. Ella’s hand curled into a fist, hard enough to cut at her palm. ‘Sam?’
‘What?’
‘I said make sure you clean up the kitchen.’
‘Fine, Mum. I’ll clean up the kitchen. Happy now?’
‘Thank you.’
Ella set out at a run for the bathroom to get herself ready, then stopped and turned back to Erik. ‘Can you stay till I get back so we can celebrate? I mean, if there’s something to celebrate. If there isn’t anything to celebrate, you can be miserable with me.’
Erik shook his craggy head. ‘Sorry, Ella-my-Bella. There is the whole week program again to plan, and a new intake starts for the junior swim school. I will head off shortly.’
Ella’s spirits took a tumble, but nothing could kill her buzz.
She showered and dressed, taking time to pick out her clothes, choosing her lucky shirt. Heels, handbag, sunglasses, phone.
She came out of her bedroom at the same time as Erik stepped into the hall from the lounge, overnight bag strapped over his shoulder.
‘Are you off already?’ Ella asked, sad inside.
‘I am. Good luck with this big sale today. I think it will work out. I have a good groove about it.’
‘A good vibe, or a good feeling you mean.’
‘Yes. I have both of those.’
They stood inside the front door and Ella gave Erik a hug. His arm felt warm and snug across her back, like it always had, and she leaned into him until he stood back and looked down at her. Then he called into the house. ‘I’m going now, Sammy.’
No answer from the lounge, where Ella could hear the television.
‘Sam?’ she called, louder.
‘What?’ Sam all but screamed it back at her.
‘Erik has to go now. Come and say goodbye.’
‘Goodbye.’
‘Come here and say goodbye,’ Ella ground out through her teeth, adding to Erik beneath her breath, ‘I swear to God! Ten-year-olds!’
‘Is okay,’ Erik said, and he was about to make his way around from the hallway through the kitchen to say goodbye when Sam appeared, hair tousled from where he’d been lying on a cushion, mouth set like those deep-sea fish in the wildlife documentaries, the ones that scared you.
‘I wish you didn’t have to go, Erik,’ Sam said, hugging Erik to him.
Ella’s heart cried.
‘I’ll come for another visit, Sam.’
‘When?’
Erik looked at Ella. ‘When your mum says is okay.’
‘When will that be?’ Sam pressed, sullen eyes on Ella.
‘We will see, Sam. Erik’s busy.’
Sam unwrapped his arms from Erik’s waist and his head snapped up. ‘You mean you’re busy. You and this dumb new job. I hope no one ever buys a house off you!’
Sam flung away from Erik. Out the back garden. Gone. Ella made to go after him but Erik touched her arm. ‘He will cool down. Let him go. Do not miss this big sale meeting.’
‘But—’
‘If he gets what he wants, he wins. Go sell that house. Is important
