“You reckon shes dull, doesnt know how to enjoy life?”
“Listen, Archie, you still set on building that lavender residential complex?”
“You know I am, Nick. Its my dream. My firms got the means, the experience. Ill make it the crown jewel of the citytour busesll stop by just to gawk. Just make sure the council awards me that plot. Fancy me sorting your lad, Paul, a flat there?”
“So I can get done for bribery and booted out of city hall? I can buy Paul a flat myself, even a whole bloody cottage. What I need is a wife for him.”
“Here we go again. My Emilys got a bloke already. And lets be honest, your Pauls a wasterdropped out of uni, despite you pulling strings to get him in. Sorry, but my girl wouldnt take him if he came free. How dyou expect me to drag her down the aisle?”
“Youll drag her if you have to. That lands got plenty of eyes on it”
Archie and Nick went way back, climbing the career ladder side by side. A civil servant and a property developermutually beneficial, highly productive. Together, theyd pulled off plenty of projects: new estates, regenerated bits of the city centre.
Well, Archies firm did the work. Nick, as they say in the council, “facilitated.” Smooth approvals, winning bids, the right suppliers. And now, with this complex, Nick saw another payday.
The idea was solidflats grouped round a private courtyard with a park and underground parking, shops and cafés on the ground floor. Peopled flock there. Steady income, lifelong. Enough for the kids, too. If only the kids could be tied together for good measure.
Business partners meant family ties. Wives became mates; kids, not so much. Archies daughter, Emily, was finishing uni this yearlandscape design. Wanted her own firm, to work with her dad.
Nicks son, Paul, was another story. No ambition, just partying. Nick was always at the council; Paul had no guidance. Money flowed freely, as if to make up for neglect. Marry him off to Emilymaybe hed settle.
Doubt it. After that chat with Archie, Nick found Paul in high spirits at home:
“Dad, lads and I are off to Manchester tomorrow. Big music fest. Youth radios hosting. Everyones going.”
“Everyone? Your lot of trust-fund layabouts? Useless, the lot of you. Whenre you getting a job? Emilys starting a design firm”
“With your money, not hers. Fund me, Ill start something.”
“A pub? Youd run it into the ground in a week. Stick with Emily. Clever girl, good looker. Settle down, stop leaching off me.”
“Shes got a bloke. And shes dullno fun.”
“Steal him off her. Ill help. Take her out, show her a good time. Money talks. Need me to spell it out?”
Meanwhile, Archie was talking to Emily:
“So, love, whats next for you?”
“Eh? You promised to back my design firm. Ill pay you back once its running.”
“Keep your money. What about your personal life? Wedding bells?”
“Kicking me out?” She grinned. “Told Mum Ive got a fellaJake. Not thinking marriage yet. Business first.”
“Thing is,” Archie studied her, “youre not just entering businessyoure stepping into serious circles. Married types get taken more seriously. No time for drama. And you dont marry just anyone.”
“Not Paul, surely. Youd never settle with him. Drop it, yeah? Dont fancy a row.”
Emily knew why Archie pushed this. Nick wanted the match. His word decided if Archie got planning permission. And he needed it badly.
Recently, shed overheard her parents at their country house. Evening, porch, shadows hiding her.
“Why dyou badger Emily about marriage?” Her mum was sharp but quiet. “Want a waster for a son-in-law? Imagine her life with him.”
“I can imagine. Better than poverty.”
“Poverty? Weve got this place, the city flat. Were fine.”
“And if we lose it all? The firms on thin ice without this project. Nick knows. Thats why hes pushing.”
A pause. Then her mum, softer:
“We didnt always have this, Archie. Remember our one-room flat? We laughed about two fridges in the kitchen”
A twig snapped under Emilys foot. Silence.
Jake didnt take it well.
“So, what? Save your dads business by wrecking your life? Im not saying choose mepick anyone you love. But not that prat. Youd have nothing in common.”
“You dont get it! The firms everything to him. This complexhis dream. Calls it Lavender Heights. Wants the buildings trimmed in lavender, plants in the courtyards. Imagine spring!”
“And youd trade your future for that? Wouldnt he be ashamed? My parents live in a council flat. No firms, no lavender. And theyre happy.”
Paul started dropping by. Cafés, gigs. Emily humoured himmaybe shed misjudged him? He wasnt hopeless. Dressed well, knew his music, vinyl collection. Doted on her
Then it camePaul proposed. She said shed think, but by evening, her mind was made. She called her parents in.
“Paul proposed today.”
Silence. Then her dad:
“And?”
“Im leaning towards yes.”
“You love him?”
“Dunno. They say love grows, dont they?”
Her dad stood, walked to the window. Without turning:
“Jake came to my office yesterday. Told me why you might say yes. Said selling your daughters vile. And hell never shake my hand again.”
Emily froze. Her mum covered her face.
“What now?”
Her dad turned. Sighed, almost relieved.
“Nothing. I told Nick the deals off. Other projectsll come. Stick with Jake, love. Hes a proper lad.”
