'My God.' Colin Sutton stared at the sudden burst of activity on the screen. 'How did you manage that?'
Olivia kept her face straight 'Just a lucky guess,' she said gently. 'Now, where do you want me to start?'
As the name of their business suggested, the Suttons offered a property search service, matching people carefully with their accommodation requirements, and managing the rental arrangements thereafter.
'Our clients like to feel they're being treated as individuals, whether they're landlords or tenants,' Colin Sutton explained. 'A lot of our properties are owned by people working abroad, and they have the reassurance of knowing their homes are going to be occupied by tenants who appreciate them, and respect them too. Our aim is to keep the whole thing as trouble-free as possible.'
Personal Property was clearly a thriving business. The phone rang constantly, and there was a steady stream of callers too. During the afternoon, when it was quieter, Mr Sutton went to look at two flats the company was being asked to manage, and Olivia held the fort alone.
It gave her the chance to browse through the register of available properties and print off the details of three or four which she hoped might interest Jeremy. That was if they were in the right area, she amended ruefully.
Her brows rose when she saw the rents, but by the time they moved in she would have regular work and be able to make a proper contribution, she told herself.
But the real shock came when she found a basement bedsit, almost identical to her own, and in the Lancey Gardens neighbourhood, costing twice what she was paying.
When Colin Sutton returned, she asked rather shyly if it was a mistake.
'Far from it,' he told her briskly. 'That's one of the cheaper ones.'
Which gave Olivia serious food for thought as she went home that evening, having assured an anxious Mr Sutton that she would be back sharp at nine the following morning.
On the way down to her basement, she knocked at Sasha's door, intending to have it out with her, but there was no reply.
She's probably taking Humph for a walk, thought Olivia. I'll write her a note and pop it through the door.
She composed her letter carefully, saying merely that she wished to discuss the rent, and would be grateful if Sasha could spare her some time that evening.
She'd shopped during her lunch-break, and now set about preparing her evening meal-pork steak casseroled with tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and wine.
When it was all simmering nicely, she decided to have a shower. She'd just finished, and, wrapped in her bathrobe, was towelling her hair vigorously, when there was a knock at the door.
Sasha, she thought, tossing the damp towel on to a chair.
But as she opened the door her welcoming smile died on her lips and she took a step backwards, gazing with stupefaction at Declan Malone.
'You?' she said 'What are you doing here?'
'I came to see you about this.'
Olivia saw with outrage that he was holding up her note.
'Do you usually read other people's private correspondence?' she demanded icily.
'Only when I'm asked,' he said with equal coldness. 'Sasha hates wearing glasses, and avoids doing so at all costs, although she can't read a word without them. So I told her it was a double glazing hand-out.'
Olivia gasped. 'Well, how dare you?'
'And how dare you?' he came back at her sharply. 'She's charging you little enough as it is, but you want to beat her down still further, you mercenary little cat And because she's got a heart like putty she'd probably let you get away with it'
For a moment Olivia was stunned, but only for a moment Then anger took over.
'Oh, you have me completely summed up,' she said, her tone heavy with irony. 'There's nothing I enjoy more than defrauding people who've been kind to me. That's when I'm not stealing from orphans and mugging pensioners, of course.' Her voice nearly cracked. 'Now get out of here.
'I'm going nowhere.' He walked in, and closed the door behind him. 'Look, maybe I was a bit harsh …
'Maybe?' Olivia choked out a savage laugh. 'Oh, not you. You're devoted to the integrity of your work-remember? Being judge, jury and executioner all rolled into one, and most impressive-as long as you're not on the receiving end.'
She swallowed. 'And I suppose it becomes such a habit it spills over into your private life too,' she added furiously.
'Not,' he said slowly, 'that anyone's ever told me.'
'They wouldn't dare.' The tendrils of her hair felt damp against her neck, and she was acutely conscious that the robe was her only covering.
Declares mouth tightened. 'I can appreciate you may be having financial difficulties,' he said, after a pause. 'London prices are always a shock to anyone moving up from the provinces. However … '
'However-nothing.' Olivia lifted her chin. 'And kindly don't patronise me. I didn't come here on a wing and a prayer. And I'm not some indigent, looking for charity either,' she added heatedly. 'I'm perfectly able to pay the rent Sasha's asked for. But I'm temping at a rental agency, and my concern is that she's not charging enough. That she doesn't realise how much the market average has risen. That's what I wanted to talk to her about'
She paused, glaring at him. 'Not that it's any concern of yours.'
'You forget, I sent you to her. That makes me responsible.'
'Oh, let's hear it for the Good Samaritan.' She was trembling. 'Now, please leave.'
'Not until we've sorted this out' He picked up the towel and held it out to her. 'You're getting cold. Go and dress, then we'll talk.'
'And why should I?'
'Because I don't want you catching pneumonia and laying it at my door,' Declan retorted. 'Off with you, now.'
She gave him a mutinous look, then headed for the bathroom, grabbing jeans and a sweatshirt as she went.
She dragged on her clothes, then brushed her hair back from her face with severity, confining it at the nape of her neck with an elastic band.
For once he'd be confronted by a woman who wouldn't dress-or undress-to please him, she thought, giving her reflection a curt nod of approval.
Declan was lounging in the armchair, but as Olivia came back into the room he rose to his feet.
'I turned down the light under the pan on the stove,' he said. 'I didn't want your dinner to burn.'
'Checking that I can afford food?'
Declan lifted his hands in a resigned gesture. 'Let's call a truce, for God's sake. All right-I misjudged your motives over the rent; I admit it'
'But in light of all my other vices you thought you were justified.' Her voice was bitter. 'How was it you saw my letter anyway? What were you doing round at Sasha's? Spying on me, I suppose?'
'Don't over-estimate your importance,' Declan told her curtly. 'I help Sasha every month with her household accounts. Book-keeping isn't her strong suit.'
'I'm not surprised-when she doesn't even charge economic rents.'
'She may not have the soul of an accountant,' Declan said, after a pause, 'but she possesses a kind heart in abundance. She charges what she thinks people can manage to pay. She likes to have the rooms occupied. Making a profit isn't her prime concern.'
'But how can she afford to do that?' Olivia objected. 'She must have outgoings-building maintenance. Does she work?'
'She doesn't act on the stage any more,' he said. 'But she's still in demand for radio, and voice-overs.'
'Oh, I see.' Olivia wasn't sure that she did. 'And does she earn enough from that?'
'Probably not But she has a private income in addition.' Declan raised his brows. 'Is there anything else you'd like to know?'
Olivia flushed. 'You think I'm prying, but I just want to make sure she's not missing out by keeping me here.'
'You don't need to worry,' he said laconically. 'And, after all, it won't be for long-win it?' The cool eyes flashed silver at her.
Olivia's throat felt suddenly constricted. 'No-I hope not,' she muttered, hating his derisive smile. She frowned slightly. 'But I still don't understand your involvement.'
'You don't have to. Let's just say I'm an old friend.'
'She's very lucky.' The words were spoken before she knew it The colour in her face deepened uncontrollably. 'I mean, you lead such a busy life. It's surprising you have the time.'
'I can always make time for people I love.' He spoke quietly.
Their eyes met, and held. Olivia felt her breathing shorten as her whole body tensed in sudden, inexplicable excitement.
Such a brief distance between them in physical terms, she thought, swallowing. Yet in reality they stood on either side of an uncrossable abyss.
She wondered crazily what would happen if she took a step towards him-and another …
Her lips parted to speak, although she had no idea what she was going to say. Then the heated silence was pierced-destroyed by the shrilling of her mobile phone.
'Oh.' She dived for it Pressed the answer button.
'Darling.' It was Jeremy's voice. 'I've just realised I'm free tonight Why don't we have dinner?'