The Woman Who Loved Cats

Changes

Lily woke at 4:13 a.m. It was dark and she felt unsettled. She visited the bathroom, wondering why she felt agitated. She had a nightmare, she recalled but had forgotten the details. It had something to do with being chased and falling. She was free-falling down and down until she almost hit the pavement. Was this due to the time she slipped down the stairs? The night she met Ryan King. She returned to bed but sleep was elusive. It was near the morning when she again forgot her worries. And her purring pussycat was sitting next to her. This made her smile. She patted Marlon and told him she would get up and feed him soon.

After a very hot shower, Lily fed Marlon and had a light breakfast of toast with marmalade and tea. Then she walked to the Coles supermarket for groceries. On her return home, she found a black envelope. Thinking it contained advertising, she was about to discard it but a neighbour, coming from upstairs, said, 'Somebody's trying to buy into our block. Open it and see.'

'Thanks Marjorie,' Lily said to the woman who lived a level below her. She was in her sixties and had lived in the block for thirty plus years. When Lily got into her flat, she stored the groceries then sat at the dining table with a cup of coffee. She opened the envelope. It was a single page letter from Upstate, a reputable real estate company which read: 'I am writing to you because we currently have a buyer specifically interested in buying within your block. This buyer loves the location which is close to the beach and shops. He is highly motivated to buy in this block as he has had the opportunity to view another flat on an open day. Sadly that unit was bought by another person.

This buyer has asked me to approach you on his behalf to see if you would be interested in selling your home. He is finance ready, willing to pay above market price and flexible on settlement.

Please contact me on the number below should you be interested."

Lily drank her coffee and pondered. Did she want to leave this place? The location was great, particularly when she went for her walks in the morning. She was also close to shops and transport. If she did sell, where would she go? She called the real estate people and arranged an appointment for later that day. She'd make a decision once she understood how much the buyer was willing to pay.

She stroked Marlon who had rubbed himself against her leg. Maybe if she sold the unit, she might be able to afford a small cottage further out and then have a chance to get another cat, to keep Marlon company. She continued reading a novel by Nora Roberts and waited. An hour later there was a knock on the door. She put a placemark in her book and sauntered to the door. When she opened it, a tall man in his thirties beamed at her. 'Hello, I'm Roger Graves, we spoke on the phone.'

'Of course, come in,' Lily said. 'I'm Lily Cameron.'

'Ms Cameron,' Graves began, 'May...'

'Call me Lily.'

'Certainly. May I wander through and look around?'

'Of course.'

Graves did just that, checking each room, before facing Lily in the living room.

'Take a seat.' She pointed to an armchair opposite the sofa. 'A drink?'

'A glass of water would be nice,' Graves said, sitting down.

Lily placed the glass of water, filled three-quarters full, on the coffee table, and sat on the sofa, next to Marlon who didn't stir.

Graves too a sip of water and pushed a cardboard cover towards Lily. 'Inside, you'll findpictures and layouts of two properties sold in this area.'

Lily opened the folder and took each one out and studied them in turn. After she'd finished, she looked back at Graves. He had no features which stood out and, compared to Ryan King, he was plain.

'I brought these to show you the value of recent sales. You may also be aware that with interest rates increasing, the value of properties, in general, are heading down.'

'I see.'

'Hence I cannot suggest a price above $750,000.'

'You said in your letter that your buyer was prepared to pay above market value.'

'I know but I have to tell the buyer what I think.'

'I see.'

'Have you got another property in mind?'

'No, I haven't thought ahead until I knew what somebody is prepared to pay for this unit.'

Graves smiled. 'Are you interested in staying in this area?'

Lily wondered whether this was a clever plan to get new clients. 'I hadn't given it much thought. Why would I sell this place with all the facilities I need to find something else around here and probably more expensive?'

Graves seemed lost for words. 'I've taken up enough of your time.' He stood up. 'If you change your mind, my number is inside the folder.' He walked out the door without shaking hands.

Lily was pleased he had gone. The man wasn't genuine.

Just as Lily changed into comfortable walking clothes, the phone buzzed. It was Ryan King.

'Good day, how are you?'

'Fine. I thought you'd disappeared.'

'I went to Singapore on business. I'm back now and I'd like to invite you out for dinner and a movie.'

'What's the occasion?'

'There's none. Just keen to see you again.'

'I'd love to. Tell me when and I'll be ready.'

They'd driven through drizzle, reminding Ryan of his time in London when drizzle or rain was the norm. The Chinese restaurant opposite the Cinema was choking with activity. The noise and crowding were symptomatic of this popular restaurant post pandemic and as lively as it was before the Chinese plague, known as Covid 19, hit. Throughout the ride from Dee Why to the Chatswood Westfield car park, Lily had been quiet, as though preoccupied with something momentous. Ryan hoped it wasn't to do with her decision to go out with him. Once they arrived at the Cinema level, Ryan had paid for the tickets for the 8:30 p.m. showing of Ticket to Paradise, a movie with George Clooney and Julia Roberts. He felt Lily would enjoy the film.

Now as she sat across from him, he asked, 'Do you like Yum Cha?'

'I love it. Haven't been for months.'

'Good. Here comes a mobile tray. Let's see what they have.' Ryan eyes the contents and selected a saucer of spring rolls. Lily grabbed prawn dumplings.

'What were you doing in Singapore?' Lily asked, placing one dumpling onto her plate.

'Business,' Ryan said. He didn't want to talk about this. He needed a distraction. 'The place was hot. Was it cold here or has the harshest part of winter passed.

'It was cold.. But good for walking.'

They finished the meal, chatting about news events and Lily told him about the real estate man's visit.

Ryan listened but didn't comment. He paid the bill and took Lily actross to the cinema. While they were watching the movie, Ryan slipped his hand over Lily's. He was surprised when she didn't resist. He figured she was enjoying the film.

Driving to Dee Why after the movie, Ryan asked Lily whether she'd enjoyed it.

'I did. Thank you for the invitation. I wouldn't have gone by myself. Would you like to come up for a nightcap?'

Ryan was momentarily shocked. 'Sure,' he said. Ryan didn't know whether this was an invitation for more than a drink but he would play it by ear. Lily was looking attractive but he'd resisted saying anything. He imagined that saying something along those lines would prompt Lily to be wary. She was probably told often enough that she was beautiful and another remake would be water off a duck's back.

Inside Lily's place, a cat emerged.

'Are you allergic to cats?' Lily enquired.

'No. It's a pretty thing.'

'Marlon is a he.'

'Named him after Marlon Wayans, a black man.'

Lily laughed. 'Never occurred to me. You seem to know a lot about trivia.'

'That's me. I know a lot about nothing and nothing about a lot of things.'

Lily, standing next to him, as Marlon squeezed between the two of them, came closer. Ryan took the opportunity to put his arm around her. He tongued her ear and as she turned towards him, she kissed him on the lips. He kissed her back. Before they could enjoy a drink, they both dissolved and reappeared in her bedroom. That's at least how it seemed to Ryan who picked her up and placed her on the covers. They didn't get between the sheets. Their body heat kept them warm enough. Clothes were spread all around. After the gymnastics were over, Lily left the room only to return with a bottle of white wine and two glasses. The wine was consumed when they retired between the sheets.

In the morning, Ryan showered early, before Lily was awake. He walked to a local bakery and brought back coffees and pastries for breakfast. Lily was getting dressed when Ryan announced he had food on the dining room table.

'Wow,' Lily said, 'I thought you had taken off.'

'Don't know what you like in the morning so I took a punt.' Ryan walked over to Lily and kissed her. 'Good morning.'

Lily was stunned by Ryan's actions and didn't complain when she ate the pastries which were delicious but not her usual breakfast fare. He was definitely a decisive guy and a breath of fresh air compared to many of the men she'd dated. But she had to tell him not to make too many assumptions about what she liked. But not today. She would enjoy the moment and see where things went.

To make conversation, Lily asked, 'What's your next assignment?'

'I need to check my schedule which is at home.'

'You work from home?'

'I do. I don't need an office, as such. I've built an office in my two storey house in Collaroy. Then I can work when required'

'You consult using Zoom?'

'Yes. I also research stuff which I need to complete an assignment.'

Lily drank coffee. 'Sounds like a dream job.'

'Hope you enjoyed breakfast. I don't usually indulge but after such a wonderful night, I thought, why not?'

'I'll go for a walk a little later to burn off these extra calories. Work to morrow, so I need to make the most of it today.'

'Great. I'll leave you now. Can we do this next week too?'

'Absolutely. You'll call me first?'

'I will.'