‘Yes, yes, I will.’ She was already picturing patches of damp, and mouse poo, and all manner of unsavoury things given the neglected air of the garden.
Quinn glanced back at her dubiously. ‘If we can get it for the right price, the rent should cover the loan and outgoings. It comes down to the maths not emotions.’
‘I know that.’ Aisling was huffy. It seemed to her he’d already made his mind up about buying the place and he sounded a little condescending. She wasn’t an airhead. All she wanted was her wedding to be her perfect day without major life distractions like house buying getting in the way. She didn’t want them starting their married life by being saddled with a money-pit of a house they had no plans of living in either. Nevertheless, she got out of the car and waited for Quinn to lock it before walking the short distance to the estate agent, who stepped forward with his hand outstretched to greet them. He was all smiles, although Aisling fancied his full wattage beam had faltered as she got closer.
The E45 cream had helped soothe the itching but the spots were still visible and she’d made Moira run down to Boots as soon as it opened to buy a packet of antihistamines out of her own pocket. She’d taken one as soon as her sister returned and hoped the hives would soon begin to fade. For now, though, at least her hair was shining gloriously and she lurked alongside Quinn observing the vigorous handshaking and much fecky brown nosing on the agent’s part. His name he revealed before opening the gate, its rusty hinge squeaking in protest, was Niall. Holding it open he ushered them in and Aisling trailed behind Quinn, her heel finding its way into a crack in the pavers which nearly sent her arse about face.
‘Watch your step,’ Niall said pointlessly. ‘The path and front garden needs a little TLC but it’s all easily fixed and the house has good bones.’
With a glance to either side she could see the poky front garden was in desperate need of a tidy up. What had once grown there, maybe even flourished, had now withered and needed to be cut back. She couldn’t stop her nose curling even though she knew it made her look a spoiled brat. She also wished Quinn didn’t have such a spring in his step. He looked like a child about to enter a sweet shop and his new best friend Niall’s eyes were gleaming no doubt at the thought of the hefty commission soon to be coming his way if he played this the right way. He produced a bunch of keys and stepping past them unlocked the front door opening it wide.
‘Come in, come in,’ he welcomed with a sweep of his hand.
Aisling took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold, scanning the hallway she found herself in with a critical eye. It was narrow and dark with a threadbare red carpet adding to the gloom. You’d struggle to swing a cat in it she thought as Niall announced he’d let them have a look around on their own. It was all self-explanatory he said and when they were finished, they’d find him in the kitchen. She watched him stride down the hall, counting his steps. Four strides and he was there. It was hardly a house you’d get lost in.
Quinn was opening a cupboard in the hallway and hearing him make noises about how it was good to have extra storage space, she left him to inspect it, poking her head around the front room. Through the yellowing net curtains, she could see the outline of the garden they’d walked past and in the same red carpet as she’d seen in the hall, she could see the indents of where the furniture had been placed. The wallpaper was peeling in places and the room smelt musty. A layer of dust was visible over the fireplace mantle.
She didn’t want to look around any further because she already knew the kitchen where Niall was waiting was at the end of the hall. It would have an oven with decades of food etched around the element rings. A washing line that spun around would be visible from the back window and the back garden would be bleaker than the front entrance. Upstairs there would be a bathroom with pipes that would gurgle and moan when the hot water tap was turned and the bedrooms would be boxy. It was exactly what she’d expected. Quinn had joined her in the room and must have sensed she was less than impressed as he nudged her and said, ‘Use your imagination, Ash, a lick of paint, new curtains and carpet, some elbow grease and sure, it will be grand.’
They made their way to the back of the house to check out the kitchen before heading upstairs. Niall was there as he’d said he’d be. He was leaning against the sink but spying his potential purchasers sprang into action, gesturing to the cupboards and pantry. Quinn was all ears as the agent launched into a spiel. ‘Retro’s all the rage, although of course, for the discerning investor there’s plenty of scope for improvement.’ He leaned toward them conspiratorially. ‘Quinn, Aisling, between me and you, this area’s rapidly becoming sought after, and properties are tightly held. It’s a good time to buy.’
Quinn nodded and opened a drawer. He gave it an extra tug as it got stuck halfway nearly pulling the whole thing out. Aisling eyed the oven, noticing the splashes of grease on the wall behind it. She fancied she could smell bacon fat and not in a tempting Mrs Flaherty way either. She pondered over opening the back door to get some fresh air but decided against it. The sooner they
