✔️Soundtrack To My Life (18+) part 1

Heartbreak Warfare

Veronica, April 2003

Bridget and I had lived in the same house since we were born, we'd stay at our mother's every second weekend in our teen years but it was never home, Dad's house was and as I showed Gail Stephenson around my heart began to ache at all the memories I'd soon be leaving behind.

We had no choice though but to sell, Dad's condition was getting worse and he now required around the clock care. I suggested dropping out of uni but he wouldn't allow it, he argued that my education was a priority and would benefit me long after he's gone and as much as he'd been fighting against going into a hospice, he knew now that it was the only option.

Gail was the only real estate agent that I knew and I was trusting that she wouldn't screw us over  but as we walked around the house and she took down notes on every room, keeping a keen eye out for any flaws within the structure, even I could see that we had a mammoth job ahead of us, if we wanted to sell for top price. 

"Do you know what year the house was built?" She asked as we walked through the hallway that led to the bedrooms, there was a crack in the celling I'd never noticed, it wasn't big but large enough to catch my eye.

"1975, Dad built the house with some friends." Dad would often tell us how, back then, ours was one of the first houses on the street but it didn't take long for others to come along.

"It's not in bad condition, just a few minor fixes here and there, plus a fresh coat of paint but we could easily sell without making changes, it just might mean that it will keep your asking price down and I know how much you need that money right now." Gail was well aware of our financial struggles, with Dad no longer working, it was up to Bridget and I to keep us afloat.

"How much would it cost if we were to fix it up first?" I was frightened of pouring more money that we didn't have, into the house but if it meant selling for more then we'd come out winning in the long run. 

"Upwards of $10,000." She cringes as she says the amount because she knows we don't have it to spare. "You said the house is completely paid off, maybe you could get a loan from the bank?"

"I'd rather not put us into more debt, we're already struggling to pay the bills we have plus I doubt any bank would lend out ten grand to two girls working part time." We had no choice, we'd just have to sell as is and hope that Gail can gain interest in the place to drive the price up. 

"How about this, I buy the paint and we can freshen it up, Lucas will help." Gail offers generously.

"You have no idea how much that would mean to us and I'd pay you back, every cent, once the sale goes through." I am my father's daughter, I find it hard to accept charity, even when I know we need it desperately. 

"Veronica, I don't want you to pay me back, you're like a daughter to me and I'm happy to help." she says, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Lucas said you're moving in with your aunty and Sam's Dad and that Gareth was less than pleased."

"Gareth's just...insecure about our relationship, he's convinced himself that, with me being at Sam's old house, that I'll get back together with Sam, no matter how many times I tell him that that's not going to happen, Sam has a girlfriend now and lives in Manchester."

"When I was with my ex husband, there were a lot of red flags about his behaviour in the beginning that I just ignored." Gail says, warily. "I too used to pass it off as insecurity but it was really manipulation and control"