‘Let Carl get on with his job? He’s done these things before you know. People have open houses all the time these days. Just go with it. Relax.’

She has a point. ‘Yeah, I’ll try.’

‘As it’s on Sunday, why don’t you and the boys come over to us? Keeley will leap at the chance to play with them for the afternoon, and I’ll cook us a roast. It’ll take your mind off the viewing.’

‘Thanks.’ I nod. ‘That would be lovely. It’s not just because I don’t want to be here – I think it would be really unsettling for the boys. At least by the time we get home it’ll all be over. And with luck, I might even have a buyer.’

‘That’s the way. Positive thinking.’ Jo grins.

I try to match her enthusiasm, but deep down, I can’t let go of the uneasy feeling I have about this open-house event.

Chapter Nine

Barb

I can’t help but stop and stare in through the window every time I pass it.

Move Horizon is where the butcher’s used to be back in the Nineties. I’m sure Howard wouldn’t have wanted his son to become an estate agent, much less take over the business premises of the family butcher. Carl had never been interested in following in his father’s footsteps, and his grandfather’s before him. But still, Carl did at least have the decency to wait until Howard was cold and buried before putting the final nail in the coffin of Anderson’s Butchers.

I scan the window for the house. I still can’t believe it’s up for sale – it breaks my heart to imagine it belonging to someone other than my family. Resentment courses through me. I should never have had to hand it over the way I did. If I’d had more money, things would’ve been different: I’d be living in the place I’d made a home. It wasn’t to be, though. Bern made sure of that; I was left with nothing but debt and worry.

I make a quick sign of the cross on my chest. Shouldn’t speak ill of the dead.

Finally, I see it. The photos and details have moved from the prominent middle position to bottom right. Much less noticeable.

That’s good. She listened to me, then. Now, if I could get her to take it out of the window altogether …

The itch needs scratching.

I can’t walk on past today; I have to go in. Suzanne will give me an update.

Chapter Ten

Amber