A short story for your entertainment.

A Beautiful View.

Jim and Grace had held their wedding in Sandsea and had then spent most special occasions together in the same town, so it seemed their natural choice for retirement. With no family, and friends scattered, they had no reason to stay in the city once both had left work.

Seven estate agents registered them in the seaside town and came up with a dozen unlikely properties. Most of that summer they spent viewing houses they could never see themselves enjoying. Then they discovered the bungalow on the headland, overlooking the bay.

‘Perfect size.’

‘Beautiful view.’

‘Garden’s nice and private.’ Grace was already planning the vegetable patch.

Everything was fine. The young couple who wanted their house in the city had their mortgage arranged, and Barry Johnson, owner of the bungalow, quickly accepted Jim and Grace’s offer. It was just a matter of waiting.

#

Barry had sent pictures of himself taken twenty-seven years ago when he’d contacted a willing young woman living on a small island just off the coast of Thailand. She now awaited his arrival with promises of marriage that set his lust alight. It was time to put his plan into action; the greater his wealth, the more he’d impress Tasanee. Her name meant ‘beautiful view’, and the photos she sent him showed she lived up to her label.

‘Jim?’ Barry made the call in person, bypassing the estate agent. ‘Bit of bad news, I’m afraid. Had a better offer on the house. Can’t refuse such an increase.’

‘How much better?’

He explained, the new price a significant hike on the one they’d agreed.

Jim sighed. ‘Can’t match that. We’re at the limit of our budget. We’ll just have to settle for something else.’

That was unexpected. Barry put the phone down, disappointed. Still, let them stew a few days. They were far too keen to let the bungalow go that easily. They’d talk it over and decide they could afford the extra. Meanwhile, Tasanee would reward his increased wealth.

#

‘Must think we’re stupid, Jim. That place has been on the market for months, and suddenly he gets an improved offer, just days after ours?’

‘Let him sweat, shall we?’

‘Our buyers will accept a short delay. Give it a week or two, eh?’

They waited, guessing he was trying to extract more money from them and therefore expecting another call.

#

‘Barry here, Jim. That other offer’s fallen through, unfortunately. Bloke must be some sort of con-artist! Still on for your original?’

Did the man really think they were that daft? ‘Sorry, we’ve put an offer on another place; less pricey than yours and better grounds.’

Tasanee had given Barry an ultimatum. Impatient, she’d wait no longer; plenty of other men were interested. If he didn’t move very soon…well, a girl who looked like that would be in demand, those pictures said it all.

‘Look, seeing I messed you around, maybe I can match the price of the other one you’re looking at?’

‘Like I said, it’s a better property.’

He asked what they could go to and Jim suggested a price just enough below their original offer to make it attractive enough to Barry.

Tasanee smiled seductively from the mantelpiece.

‘Okay. I guess I’ll have to accept that. When can you be ready?’

#

Jim and Grace moved to the bungalow on the headland five weeks later, just as summer ended. The attempted price-hike had almost spoiled their dreams. It had been an anxious time, hoping, but it was definitely worth the wait for that beautiful view.

#

Barry looked for Tasanee among those waiting to greet friends at the airport. He spotted a slightly chubby woman of about forty holding a large torn piece of cardboard bearing his name, she looked a little like those pictures. He stood, hesitating, until she cocked her head on one side and smiled a question at him. Then he recalled he, too, had presented himself as younger, and he shrugged his mild regret, smiled back and approached the barrier on which she rested her arms holding the cardboard welcome.