‘The way he brings the same people over to your house on different occasions. I mean, I realise they might just be wanting subsequent viewings, of course, but it’s as though he’s trying to make it seem as though there’s lots of interest, when in fact there’s none.’

My stomach leaps up at the same time my heart plummets. A heaviness pushes onto my shoulders and I feel completely deflated. Is that what Carl’s been doing? Bringing fake viewers over so I think he’s working hard to sell my property? If that’s the case, it’s no surprise I haven’t heard the outcome of the supposed second viewing yesterday. But before the open house there’d been zero visitors, so what Davina’s saying must only have been occurring recently.

‘Are you sure it’s the same people?’

‘I’ve a good memory for faces. Yes, I’m certain. What has he been telling you?’

I’m reluctant to share more information with Davina. I’m not sure who else she’ll revel in telling.

‘Well, he’s told me there’ve been several interested parties from the open-house event.’ I find I have the need to lie here but follow it up with the truth. ‘Although, nothing appears to have come from them.’ There has, of course, only been one second viewing that Carl has informed me of. Either there’s been more, and he’s not told me because they didn’t go well, or there haven’t been any and Davina is right. Carl’s been conducting fake viewings to make himself look good and have something to say when I ask him about progress. To keep me happy and on his books.

More and more it feels like there are too many odd things surrounding Carl Anderson and his management of my house sale. Things that feel wrong.

I think it’s time to instruct a new estate agent.

Chapter Thirty-One

Amber

I have a rare morning off work – Olive and Henry have closed the optician’s as they are both visiting Henry’s elderly father in hospital following a hip operation. I don’t need to be in until twelve, then I only have to do two and a half hours. This window of a few spare hours gives me the opportunity to go online and search for a new job in Kent. I know I don’t have any firm dates, but I want to have an idea of what’s about. If I could line something up, even if it’s just working in a supermarket for the time being, it would mean I have independence. Richard has said once his house with his ex sells, he would have enough to support me and the boys for a while, but I don’t want to be financially indebted to him.