Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2) by Mel Sherratt Read Free Book Online Page A

it.’
    ‘Hello, ladies,’ said someone behind them. They both turned to see a small woman. She looked to be in her sixties, with shots of grey running through her dark hair.
    ‘Hello, Dot,’ Josie smiled warmly. Dorothy Simpson had lived in the flat below Kelly since she’d lost her husband to lung cancer. She was the first tenant that Josie had taken on a viewing when she had started working for the association. ‘This is Kelly. She and her daughter have moved in downstairs.’
    ‘Yes, we met briefly earlier, and I like her already.’ Dot smiled at Kelly. ‘Especially if she’s tackling the garden. I’d do it myself, but my arthritis is playing up at the moment.’
    ‘There’s no need,’ Kelly told her. ‘I’ll keep it in order all the time from now on. I can’t stand any kind of mess.’
    Dot beamed even more when she spotted Emily. ‘Hello. Would you like to see if I have any chocolate biscuits left in my tin?’
    Emily shrugged shyly but took hold of Dot’s hand anyway.
    ‘If you ever need a baby-sitter for an odd hour here and there,’ Dot said as she opened her front door, ‘give me a nod. I’d love some company.’ 
    ‘She seems nice,’ Kelly said, as she continued to shear.
    ‘Yes, Dot’s one of my prize tenants. She’s the chairman of Clarence Avenue Neighbourhood Watch, helps out at the church on Samuel Street. She’s always running errands for people less fortunate than herself, too. I’ve never…’ Josie stopped in mid flow as a black and white collie ran past on the pavement. She put her folder down on top of the low wall. ‘I won’t be a minute.’
    Kelly couldn’t resist going to investigate as Josie shouted Tess at the top of her voice and raced up the path.
    Josie tore after the dog, grabbed for her collar and walked her back the way she had come. She marched Tess down the path and finally managed to tie her up in the garden again. As usual, Mr and Mrs Thomas weren’t in to reprimand. Josie made a mental note to pop in next week when she called to see Amy.
    Kelly had finished the hedge and was bagging up the last of the cuttings when Josie came into view again.
    ‘You certainly have a varied role as a housing officer,’ she grinned as she clocked the red glow of her cheeks.
    ‘She’s a good dog really, but she’s always escaping. Between you and me, I’ve given up with her owners. I’ve had to tie her up in the back garden. It’s not something I like doing but what else can I do? It’d be a trip with the dog warden if she’s caught wandering the streets again.’ Josie held up muddy palms. ‘Don’t suppose you’d take pity, offer me a cuppa and let me wash my hands?’
    Kelly could hear Scott’s scornful tone as he said ‘absolutely no fucking way’ quite clearly in her mind. But Scott wasn’t here to say it aloud. Loneliness made her nod her head.
    Once Kelly had checked that Emily wasn’t badgering Dot too much, they went upstairs to the flat and into the living room. Josie glanced around. Although the floorboards had still to be covered, it was almost a replica of the room Kelly had left behind in Patrick Street: the large coffee and cream swirl rug, heavy ivory curtains hanging from a thick chrome pole. The settees had been placed in an L-shape on the back walls. Three wooden-framed photographs of Emily hung strategically above the tiled fireplace.
     ‘It looks fantastic,’ Josie enthused, before sitting down on the settee nearest to the window. ‘It must have taken you ages to get rid of the yellow stains.’
    Kelly ran her hand over the door frame nearest to her. ‘Three coats of white gloss. To be exact, it was three coats of one-coat gloss. And if you think this is bright, you should see Emily’s room – Princess Pink.’
    Josie unzipped her folder and pulled out Kelly’s paperwork. ‘Do you mind if I run through this while I’m here?’ she asked when handed a mug. When Kelly didn’t reply, she continued. ‘Did you go and sort out