1 Chapter 1

Cody watched as the young couple disappeared through the front door of his house, followed by Ellis Tanner, the auctioneer, and his assistant. How happy and nervous the couple looked. Almost as happy and nervous as he had been all those years ago when he’d purchased the property.

The small crowd on his front lawn wasted no time in dispersing, some people to their cars, and others, those from the neighbourhood who had come along out of curiosity, to the footpath. Cody melted away with them, following along behind one couple who had parked further down the street. He couldn’t help but overhear their words of disappointment. You don’t know what disappointment is,he thought. If they really wanted to know what disappointment was he could tell them how he’d lost the job he’d had for the past fifteen years and, in turn, had lost his home. How he’d gone on so many dates with guys and, without exception, they’d disappointed him, so in the end he didn’t bother anymore. He could explain to them how, due to work, he was unable to visit his mother’s deathbed. How much more disappointing was it not to be able to tell your mother you loved her, and that you were sorry you hadn’t been there more for her? He could further illustrate disappointment by the fact he’d blown his entire inheritance on bad investments. His life, which had shown so much promise at the beginning, was now in the toilet. If they wanted disappointment, he was well qualified to teach them all about it.

The couple began to bicker.

“We could’ve gone fifty grand higher,” grumbled the man. “But no. You had to play it safe.”

“We couldn’t have gone any higher, Bill,” the woman replied sharply. “We would’ve been struggling as it is.”

The man sucked his teeth and started shaking his head. “You dunno what you’re talking about.”

Cody couldn’t listen anymore and crossed the street.

At least Mum and Dad aren’t alive to see the depths to which I’ve sunk.No job. No house. The money he got from the auction would pay off all his debts, which was the only silver lining, but there wouldn’t be much left over. He’d have to start all over again. Although…

“Hello there, Cody.”

The elderly woman was dressed in a gardening outfit, which didn’t look as if it had ever seen a speck of dirt. She was waving at him with a trowel in her hand. Her broad-brimmed hat was draped with dark netting, which hid her face, though her effervescent voice was unmistakable.

“Hello, Mrs. Timmins.”

“Cody,” she said, thrusting the trowel into the dirt. “How are you, my love?”

Cody stopped by the gate and watched as she removed her gloves and lifted the netting from her face.

“You’re looking well,” he said.

Mrs. Timmins approached him with her hands held out in front of her. When she reached him, she cupped his face between her palms and kissed him on the cheek.

“Thank you, my dear. And so are you.” She made a slight turn towards the front steps of her house. “Do you have time for a cup of tea?”

Cody shook his head. “Thank you, but I’m just doing a circuit around the block. Killing time, actually. Waiting for the auctioneer to…”

Mrs. Timmins clapped her hands together. “That’s right. The auction. How did it go?”

“Good. Good. I got a very reasonable price, so I should be in the clear now, with a few cents left over to play with.”

Mrs. Timmins was smiling, though her blue eyes were full of compassion. Only she and one other person, a close friend, knew the extent of Cody’s financial woes.

“Glad it’s all over with,” he continued, resting his right hand on the gate. He exhaled sharply, then forced a smile. “I suppose it’s a chance for a new beginning.”

It had been an off-the-cuff remark.

Mrs. Timmins placed a hand on his and nodded. “That’s the way to look at it. A new beginning. How exciting.” She beamed. “A new beginning with unlimited potential. You’re a bright young man. There isn’t anything you can’t do.”

Cody felt suddenly emotional. “Thank you, Mrs. Timmins. You’re right. I’m free to do anything I want to do.”

She patted his hand. “That’s the spirit.”

“Anyway, I suppose I should be going.” He removed his hand from beneath hers. “Thank you again. It’s been nice chatting.”

“You’re always welcome, my love.”

Cody turned and walked back along the footpath, feeling a little brighter. Mrs. Timmins was right. Without the burden of a job and a mortgage, he was free to choose his own way, to do his own thing. He laughed at how a slight shift in perspective had made all the difference.