دنبال خونه گشتن

CHAPTER ONE

Looking for a house

‘It’s all right, Rick. It’s only the post,’ she called.

Six or seven thick brown envelopes lay on the doormat. Marilyn picked them up and took them into the kitchen. Rick was sitting at the table. He was finishing his breakfast.

‘Is there anything for me’ he asked.

‘They’re all from estate agents,’ she said. ‘I hope there’s something this time.’

She put three envelopes down in front of Rick, and began to open the others herself. They had been looking for a house for three months. They were tired of the small flat, and they were tired of paying rent every week.

They had been saving to buy their own house for nearly two years. They began looking through the letters from estate agents.

Rick looked up. ‘Here’s one,’ he said. ‘Listen. Perfect first home. Two bedrooms, large living room, modern kitchen, bathroom, garage, small garden. And it’s in Balmoral Avenue, on the new housing estate. 68,000 pounds. What do you think?’

‘What number is it’ she asked.

‘Er– let me see. Thirty-five. Yes, thirty-five Balmoral Avenue.’

‘That’s funny,’ she said. ‘I’ve just been reading about the same house. Look, here’s an advert from Norman and Naylor. I phoned them yesterday.’

‘Ah, my advert’s from Burchill and Bradley. Yes, it’s the same house. Well, that’s normal. They’ve put the house with two estate agents. Which one shall we phone?’

‘It doesn’t really matter,’ said Marilyn. ‘Give me the adverts. I’ll phone when I get to work.’

‘Work– yes, what time is it?’ said Rick.

‘Oh, no! It’s nearly half past eight. Come on, we should hurry– if you don’t want to be late again.’

Rick and Marilyn hurried out to the car. On the way to work they talked about the house.

A lot of their friends lived on the new housing estate, and they’d been looking for a house in Balmoral Avenue, or in one of the roads near it, Sandringham Drive or Osborne Way.

Marilyn stopped the car outside Rick’s office.

‘I’ll call the estate agent, and I’ll call you later,’ she said. Marilyn worked in an office near Rick’s.

She usually had the car because there was more parking space at her office, and because she finished work half an hour earlier than Rick.

BURCHILL AND BRADLEY:

ESTATE AGENTS

189, Turnberry Road, Sandbourne, Wessex

Telephone: Sandbourne (01702) 461594

35 Balmoral Avenue, High Trees Estate, Sandbourne

Detached house, built about two years ago. It has gas central heating, superb modern kitchen, and a nice garden.

GROUND FLOOR

LIVING ROOM (3.8m x 5.55m): Two radiators, 6 electric points, TV point, fitted carpet. Nice view from window.

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM (4m x 3.42m): Modern cooker and fridge, washing machine point, 4 electric points, tiled floor and walls. Excellent fitted units. Radiator.

HALL (1.72m x 4.1m): Electric point, telephone point, fitted carpet. Large storage cupboard under the stairs. Radiator.

GARAGE: 1 electric point. Window

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM 1 (3.51m x 3.76m): Radiator, 2 electric points, fitted carpet. Fitted wardrobe

BEDROOM 2 (3.19m x 3.27m): Radiator, 2 electric points, fitted carpet.

BATHROOM: (2.5m x 2.75m): Modern bath, sink, shower. Small radiator.

TOILET.

35 Balmoral Avenue is in the middle of the High Trees Estate, three miles from the town centre. The High Trees Shopping Centre is a short distance away, and so is the High Trees First School.

PRICE: 68,000 pounds.

Norman and Naylor

ESTATE AGENTS 54 High Street, Sandbourne, Wessex

Tel: Sandbourne 513216

35 Balmoral Avenue, High Trees Estate, Sandbourne

A modern detached house, built two years ago, with full gas central heating, excellent modern kitchen, and attractive garden.

GROUND FLOOR

LIVING ROOM (3.8m x 5.5m): Large picture window, 2 radiators, 6 electric points, TV point, fitted carpet.

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM (4m x 3.5m): AEG cooker, Indesit fridge, point for washing machine, 4 electric points, tiled floor and walls. Fitted units. Radiator.

HALL (1.7m x 4m): Electric point, telephone point, fitted carpet. Large cupboard under the stairs. Radiator.

GARAGE: 1 electric point

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM 1 (3.5m x 3.75m): Radiator, 2 electric points, fitted carpet. Fitted wardrobes.

BEDROOM 2 (3.2m x 3.27m): Radiator, 2 electric points, fitted carpet.

BATHROOM (2.5m x 2.75m): Modern bath, sink, separate shower. Small radiator. Point for electric shaver.

TOILET: With modern WC.

The house is in the very popular High Trees Estate, about 3 miles from the town centre, with an excellent bus service. It is about 1/2 mile from the nearest shops at the High Trees Shopping Centre and 3/4 mile from High Trees First School.

PRICE: 68,000 pounds.