Magnolia Gardens by Anna Jacobs

Author:Anna Jacobs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allison and Busby
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Amanda got out of the car and waited for Matthew to join her.

He gaped at the row of four units. ‘Are they new?’

‘Yes, they are. Brand new, actually. You’ll be the first occupant of yours. The two units on the right as you look at them have never been lived in. I thought you might like Number 3.’

He stood beside her and studied them, head on one side. ‘Yes please. I’d prefer not to be in the end one, I don’t know why.’

‘It doesn’t matter why. If you’re happy with Number 3, it’s yours. There’s a two-step security system, so you’ll need to choose a numerical password as well as using this key.’ She gave it to him and showed him how to enter his numbers, then turned away while he did that until she heard him open the door.

‘Great. Now, come inside and have a quick look round before we unload your things.’

She explained the facilities, then said, ‘I’ll wait for you at the car. Have another walk round on your own to get the feel of the place then we’ll unload. I can deal with my phone calls while I’m waiting so take as long as you like.’

‘Thanks. I’d like to do that.’

Matthew was grateful to be left alone in the unit, which couldn’t have been finished for long because it still smelt faintly of paint. He hadn’t expected that, had supposed it’d be a run-down cheapie of a place where they dumped homeless people who had nowhere better to go.

No one had come out of the other units to meet him, thank goodness. He’d never lived in a row house before and didn’t fancy living in anyone’s pocket.

Not wanting to keep such a nice woman waiting, he made a quick second tour and ended up at the big window in the living area, staring out at the park. It’d be great to stroll round it occasionally, and those big trees were indeed magnolias, which had presumably given the park its name. Among his favourite trees, those.

Another thing he hadn’t expected was to like the new place. It felt . . . friendly, even with nothing happening and no one around.

He went back to the car and found Amanda chatting animatedly to a tall lad wearing glasses, so assumed this was his new next-door neighbour. He forced himself to go across and join them, trying to smile as he was introduced but not, he felt, succeeding very well. Perhaps he’d lost the ability to smile naturally along with everything else.

‘I’ll help you carry your things in,’ Brett offered, ‘then I’ll leave you in peace.’

And he did just that, which was an immediate point in the lad’s favour, because Matthew was longing for some time on his own in an area that could be as private as he wanted – and needed it to be.

This felt especially important to him after his stay in the busy rehab centre, where people were coming and going all the time to the gym and swimming pool, as well as to various other places of torture.

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