Ben gestured towards the forested hillside, topped by a sky of brilliant blue. Then south to where the creek meandered between blue gums. ‘That’s a view to die for. Buyers will love it.’ He picked at the flaking paint of the verandah rail. ‘But I have to be frank, Kim, there’s a hell of a lot needs doing.’
‘I want to sell Journey’s End as is,’ she said. ‘I’m flexible on price.’
Ben fixed her with his unsettling blue eyes. ‘You need to fix this house up, or knock it down. It won’t sell as is in this market. And as for the land, I could hardly give it away. Your paddocks need new fences. They’re thick with regrowth, overrun with rabbits and roos. The place needs a lot of work before it would sell as a grazing run.’ Kim’s face fell and Ben’s expression softened. ‘Nice timber, though, and pl
