Free Be My Hero by Nell Dixon Page B

liked the Greek columns in the dining room the best.”
    â€œJust the columns, or the nude statues, too?” She teased. Any remaining tension between them disappeared, and she realised she enjoyed having fun with Evan like this — as they had done in the past.
    He shook his head, a wide grin on his face. “I can’t wait to check out the next one. How is it described in the details?”
    She smoothed the brochure out on her lap. “It says, ‘‘Old-World charm, original features, scope for improvement.’ I can’t wait.” She read him the other key points.
    A moment later, he pulled up at the kerb outside the second property. “Well?” he asked.
    Nathalie looked at the rambling stone house in front of them. The slate roof sagged in the middle, and the paintwork had peeled away from the window frames. The path was overgrown with weeds. A wooden gate leant drunkenly on one hinge against the garden wall.
    â€œIt’s got ‘Old-World charm,’ remember?” She tried to keep the laughter out of her voice.
    â€œIt’s definitely got original features,” Evan agreed.
    â€œThe owners have seen us. Come on.” She grinned at him as they got out of the car and walked up the path together.
    Twenty minutes later, they returned. Nathalie placed the property details in the glove box with those of the first appointment.
    Evan started the engine and waved to the elderly owners who stood at the front door. “Well, there was room for improvement.”
    â€œOh, yes. I’d say adding an indoor toilet and maybe one or two other modern conveniences would improve it considerably.” She laughed.
    â€œIt did have plenty of charm, but what a money pit! It would make a great project, but Polly and I need somewhere that’s ready now.” He frowned and reprogrammed the satnav for the third time. “Let’s hope this last place that Jerome suggested will be better.”
    Nathalie settled back, and he turned on the radio, tuning in to a local station playing hits from a few years ago.
    â€œWhat has Jerome told you about the house?” Nathalie asked.
    â€œIt’s empty, and I’ve got the keys. It belongs to a friend of his who recently inherited it. The owner doesn’t want to live there himself — he lives in Scotland — so he plans to put it on the market. He hasn’t placed it with an agent yet, as it’s only been vacant for a short time.”
    â€œIt sounds interesting,” she observed. Perhaps Jerome had done something useful for once. Her older brother wasn’t known for taking responsibility.
    The road they followed led them further out of town than the other two had, but soon they turned off down a small lane, then turned again down a long driveway between two rows of trees. The driveway ended in front of a house built of faded blue-red bricks. A portico supported by stout stone columns covered the top of the front door to protect visitors from the elements. On either side of the house lay fenced pasture.
    â€œOh, Evan.” Nathalie turned to him. “Is this it? It’s beautiful.” Even in the gathering twilight, the building looked elegant and homey. A family house waiting for a family to live in it once more.
    He stopped the car on the gravel turning circle in front of the house. “I guess I don’t need to ask you what you think of this one.” He smiled at her and pulled a set of keys from his jacket pocket.
    Evan climbed out of the car and came around to open her door. They stood still for a moment in the dusk, looking at the exterior.
    â€œIt’s like a doll house, with the sash windows.” For a split second, Nathalie forgot the house was just for Evan and Polly. She could see herself in that house, with lights in the windows and smoke coming from the chimney, Polly playing by the hearth, Evan working in his study, and the smell of fresh bread in the