The Circle Now Is Made (King's Way Book 1) by Mac Fletcher Read Free Book Online Page A

dividends.”
    “What do you reckon then, should we go and see her?”
    Greg realised he’d been caught off guard again, though this time by his own enthusiasm. While he'd nothing to lose, there were things he wanted to be sure of before meeting Sarah Penmaric. “You said she mentioned selling the place originally?” he asked. “Do you think that might still be on the cards?”
    “Well.” Jan seemed hesitant. “Perhaps I’d better explain the situation, to save an awkward situation later.” She then went on to explain that Sarah had originally made the offer of sale to Mick and Jan as a joint one.
    "She hedged round a ridiculously low figure because, to my mind, a quick sale would solve several problems. Wooden buildings aren't always easy to sell because of the mortgage aspect, so the price would have to reflect that.  She didn’t say as much, but the sale would have brought some immediate cash in to pay off debts,” explained Jan. “This land and the cabin are a drop in the ocean compared to the estate as a whole, so it wouldn’t exactly be missed. Secondly, I sympathise with Sarah because I think she's going to feel awkward about evicting Jamie and myself when the time comes. Selling us the property would have saved her that headache too.”
    “What stopped you buying it?”
     "Two things: as Mick told you the other night, I don't really want to commit to him at this stage. But even if I did, he wouldn't hear of taking on any sort of loan: said he was too long in the tooth for that sort of responsibility.”
    “But for the sort of price you'd have paid for this, a loan would have been no more than rent will cost you eventually - wherever you live.”
    Jan shook her head. “We’ve covered all that ground times over, but it's deadlock. He won’t have it.”
    “That aside for a while,” said Greg, “do you think they might still be willing to sell?”
    “I'm sure they'll have to in time,” answered Jan. “Biggest problem is that if they're forced to sell the whole estate, this will almost certainly be included.”
    “That would be criminal!” Greg gasped. “Do you think - if we could convince them it's a viable proposition - one of the local banks would be willing to put the money up? Do you deal with a bank or building society in the area? Loans aren’t easy these days I know - but for a sound business proposition...”
    “Steady on!” Jan smiled nervously and held up her hands. "I don’t have the kind of money that attracts financiers. The only manager I know is Weaver down at Low-Shires: my parents dealt with him for a good many years.”
    “Sorry, I was running before we’ve even started walking,” said Greg. “Best take things a step at a time.”
    After she’d checked on Jamie, Jan opened an outsized loft hatch in the passageway and lowered some steps.
    "Good God!" mouthed Greg as he switched on the light and surveyed the area. Laid out on a boarded area was a selection of Calor-fired commercial equipment - even a sophisticated Italian coffee machine.
    “Bit tatty...” started Jan almost in a whisper.
    “Tatty?” responded Greg in dismay. “It’s superb . I know it’s mucky; doesn't look its best up here, but it’s all stainless steel. Someone must have planned renovating the kitchen-diner area as they lugged it up here to make space. Come on, time to go and see the lady of the manor."
    "Okay." Jan put on her coat and grabbed a remote intercom from a hall table. "I can't stay long in case Jamie wakes up."
     
    Jan led Greg a short distance through the trees to Penmaric House. If Greg had been amazed at the cabin, he was astounded by the house. It was the grandiose structure with turrets and spires, rising through the pines with fairy-tale grandeur.
    “It’s a bloody castle !” Greg almost croaked with dismay. “Nothing like the four-square country house I’d imagined.”
    “Yes, it’s lovely isn’t it? Like a chateau - or so I’m told! I’d seen the tops of the