'There's still a job for me here at the moment. Maybe the hotel is a long way in the future, something for my retirement.'
'What harm would there be in having another look at the place, if I can arrange it? If you don't want it maybe I could raise some money and let it out as flats. That's what it's being used for at the moment.'
'London is full of flats and hotels. What's special about that particular house? Why now?'
'Why not now? We may be able to do a good deal on the house. There is an impasse between the property company that has bought up half the neighbourhood and the owner of Goodmans Villa who doesn't want to see them tear it apart. If she would give us a long enough lease at the right price, we could make a viable business out of it. There's nothing to lose by going to see it again. Since we last went the flats have been re-let, but the agent will take us for a look round.'
He seemed determined, and no good reason to refuse came to mind. After fixing a date for the visit he surprised me further by saying that Tom would be back and suggesting he come with us. He knew the circumstances of our break-up, and should have been aware that I would be reluctant. With sham indifference I said, 'Why should he want to come? He's not interested in buying it, is he?'
'He could be useful - his practical experience of plumbing and wiring - but if you'd rather he didn't come...' Giving away my hurt feelings I said, 'If he's working for you again and you really want to bring him I suppose it's your decision. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't need to be there...'
'Don't think too harshly of him. Tom's no saint, but the two of you can be friends, can't you? Put up with him for my sake, even if he's out of favour with you.'
The estate agent arranged to collect us from the garden centre by car. Arriving fifteen minutes early, I found Tom and Andrew together in the staff room upstairs and responded sullenly to Tom's greeting, avoiding looking at him. To my annoyance, Andrew excused himself saying he had to make a 'phone call, leaving Tom and me together sitting beside the table used by the garden centre staff during their breaks.
'You been all right?' he asked.
I would have preferred silence. 'So-so.' Making an effort to be polite I asked: 'How was Manchester?'