Brand new fiction - Leap Year - Chapter 1
It was a sunny, crisp winter day in Boston when pulled up outside a tall townhouse with a sign pitched into the ground saying "Open House: 11-2". She paused for a moment taking a deep breath before taking a step out of the car door with her patient black heels. She gripped a neatly packed folder to her chest and walked into the dark vacant apartment with it's worn carpets and dusty curtains. A team of movers followed in behind her with rugs, beautiful antique furniture, new curtains and framed paintings.
"Okay boys, let's get to work!" she smiled slightly and pointed to where she wanted the items to be placed while she put freshly cut flowers in a vase and arranged some slightly battered books on a bookshelf. She placed a Mozart piano CD in the stereo just as the realator, Cathy walked in.
"Sorry I'm la... wow , it looks so bright and airy and... beautiful!" she gleamed at her surroundings before shoved a package of cookie dough into her hands. Cathy looked puzzled.
"Put it in the oven half an hour before we open and you'll have a dozen of offers by lunch," winked while Cathy looked astonished. 's Blackberry gave a buzz and she rushed off through the door, diving into her car and stopping a little while down the street outside yet another townhouse. Again, she worked her magic and ended the transformation by putting a CD in the stereo. She handed the cookie dough to the woman who was selling the property.
"I don't think I've introduced before? I'm Ashley," she said.
"," smiled before shaking her hand.
"I just wanted to thank you, that flat next to the train line you worked on last week? We all said it was unsellable, but I sold it to the first couple I met! I guess luck was on my side," she beamed, looking up at the ceiling.
"It wasn't luck, it was that new soda. I don't believe in luck, you make your own luck," winked.
's Blackberry buzzed again.
"Oh I have to go! Got to get over to The Waterford," she blushed.
"Wow, you're selling a place at The Waterford?" Ashley looked slightly shocked.
"Nah, might be buying one though," smiled while Ashley looked impressed.
"Thought you weren't going to make it," grinned.
"You really think I'd miss this?" walked over to him and she kissed him on the lips before straightening his tie.
"Wait, before we go in I want a picture of you in the moment," nudged her before getting out his phone. "Come on, , I don't wanna be late," folded her arms before giving in, "how do I look?"
"Beautiful! The image quality on this is amazing, take a look?" he turned the screen. gave a half smile and they walked over to the entrance of the tower. The doorman held the door open. They walked into an office and sat opposite two older women and a man.
"Thanks again for coming in. We just need to review some more things..." the woman said.
"But you do seem like the type of people we want to be living here in The Waterford" the man smiled.
The second woman skimmed through her notes, "So... is there anything more you need to tell us?"
"I don't suppose there is," smiled and then saw the unenthusiastic look on the second woman's face, "by the way, that jacket is gorgeous! Louis Vuitton?" a gleam broke her dim expression.
"Why yes, it is. Thank you," she beamed, "So, lovely to meet you,"
"You too," and shook all of their hands before leaving the building. After they had got around the corner they both looked at each other and celebrated.
"That was amazing! The line about the jacket just swayed it," gave her a big kiss.
"Can you believe we might be living at The Waterford?!" gleamed, "you know this could be a present for our fouth date-iversary," "Was that a hint? Really think I'd forget something that big?" he winked, "Well, I was going to keep it a surprise, but I've booked us in at La Tulipe, tonight at eight, as I've got a special surprise for you,"
"Really? Come on, what is it? Tell Me!" nudged him.
"Nope! You have to wait. Eight o'clock,"
"Okay, okay. Eight o'clock," she rolled her eyes.
Chapter 2