today!
“So, Sarah … you said you wanted to talk about a property we are involved in?”
“Combe Castle,” said Sarah.
She watched Anjii make a note, then look up. “Really? And precisely what is your interest?”
“My interest is — precisely — that I am acting on behalf of the owner. Or rather, one of the owners — Edwina FitzHenry.”
Not exactly a lie , thought Sarah.
She’d called Edwina that morning and told her she was going to ‘pop into Cauldwells and find out who the mystery buyer was.’
“I see,” said Anjii. “I wasn’t aware of that …”
Sarah smiled sweetly at her, as if to imply she would forgive Anjii for this inexcusable lack of knowledge.
This estate agent was a shark who would expect to know every fish in the waters.
“So how may I help you?” said the agent.
“Edwina FitzHenry tells me that you have a purchaser for the house and estate?”
“There has been … interest. If the property was truly available.”
“May I enquire as to that individual’s identity?”
“As I said to Mrs. FitzHenry, my client prefers to remain anonymous.”
Sarah reached for her handbag, took out her iPad and made a brief note. She was aware that Anjii was getting just a little impatient …
Good , she thought.
“Is your client intending to make an offer for the property?”
“When certain criteria have been met. Starting with … the current owners being ready to discuss any terms.”
“Such as?”
“My client has requested an accurate survey of the buildings in question,” said Anjii. “The only extant plans available are at least a hundred years old and are clearly unreliable.”
“I see,” said Sarah. “Isn’t it rather early in the whole process to be commissioning a survey? There hasn’t even been an offer yet.”
“Look, Ms. Axelhoff, my client intends to invest a considerable sum in the castle. Much of that investment will be in a massive renovation and new build.”
“And when do you intend to make the survey?”
The agent looked surprised.
“Well, it’s already been conducted. As Mrs. FitzHenry’s representative I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
Sarah hid her reaction.
“Edwina told me you’d made some measurements on your recent visit to the property,” said Sarah. “She expressed some … doubts … that you had the qualifications to conduct a proper survey.”
Sarah smiled. Take that.
“Hardly rocket science. You’re probably not aware, but the latest laser devices allow even … well, even estate agents … to capture all the data that is required.”
Sarah nodded politely.
“I assume you have been able to use this data to build a 3D model of the property?”
“Actually we have.”
“May I see it?”
“May I ask why?”
“Anjii — I’ll be honest with you — and between us — Mrs. FitzHenry is actually considering asking you to manage the sale of the house and estate. She feels that Cauldwells would be the perfect … partner.”
The woman’s eyes went wide with that news.
“We’re flattered, I’m sure.”
“But … her only concern was that Cauldwells might not be able to match the latest technology that some of the London agencies now use.”
Too quickly now.
“That simply isn’t the case.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“The software we use is absolutely cutting edge.”
“Good. In which case, I’m sure you won’t mind if I ask to see the 3D model myself?”
Anjii seemed surprised.
“I doubt it will mean much to you … all 3D schematics, hard to orient yourself.”
At least she was no longer saying I can’t see it, Sarah thought.
“I’d like to try anyway.”
“As you wish,” said Anjii, getting up from the sofa.
Result, thought Sarah. Now, fingers crossed …
Sarah followed her over to her desk and as the agent opened the clamshell of her laptop, she stood casually to one side, holding her iPad.
“Oh — Mrs. FitzHenry also asked if she could have a copy of the plan,” said
“So, Sarah … you said you wanted to talk about a property we are involved in?”
“Combe Castle,” said Sarah.
She watched Anjii make a note, then look up. “Really? And precisely what is your interest?”
“My interest is — precisely — that I am acting on behalf of the owner. Or rather, one of the owners — Edwina FitzHenry.”
Not exactly a lie , thought Sarah.
She’d called Edwina that morning and told her she was going to ‘pop into Cauldwells and find out who the mystery buyer was.’
“I see,” said Anjii. “I wasn’t aware of that …”
Sarah smiled sweetly at her, as if to imply she would forgive Anjii for this inexcusable lack of knowledge.
This estate agent was a shark who would expect to know every fish in the waters.
“So how may I help you?” said the agent.
“Edwina FitzHenry tells me that you have a purchaser for the house and estate?”
“There has been … interest. If the property was truly available.”
“May I enquire as to that individual’s identity?”
“As I said to Mrs. FitzHenry, my client prefers to remain anonymous.”
Sarah reached for her handbag, took out her iPad and made a brief note. She was aware that Anjii was getting just a little impatient …
Good , she thought.
“Is your client intending to make an offer for the property?”
“When certain criteria have been met. Starting with … the current owners being ready to discuss any terms.”
“Such as?”
“My client has requested an accurate survey of the buildings in question,” said Anjii. “The only extant plans available are at least a hundred years old and are clearly unreliable.”
“I see,” said Sarah. “Isn’t it rather early in the whole process to be commissioning a survey? There hasn’t even been an offer yet.”
“Look, Ms. Axelhoff, my client intends to invest a considerable sum in the castle. Much of that investment will be in a massive renovation and new build.”
“And when do you intend to make the survey?”
The agent looked surprised.
“Well, it’s already been conducted. As Mrs. FitzHenry’s representative I’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
Sarah hid her reaction.
“Edwina told me you’d made some measurements on your recent visit to the property,” said Sarah. “She expressed some … doubts … that you had the qualifications to conduct a proper survey.”
Sarah smiled. Take that.
“Hardly rocket science. You’re probably not aware, but the latest laser devices allow even … well, even estate agents … to capture all the data that is required.”
Sarah nodded politely.
“I assume you have been able to use this data to build a 3D model of the property?”
“Actually we have.”
“May I see it?”
“May I ask why?”
“Anjii — I’ll be honest with you — and between us — Mrs. FitzHenry is actually considering asking you to manage the sale of the house and estate. She feels that Cauldwells would be the perfect … partner.”
The woman’s eyes went wide with that news.
“We’re flattered, I’m sure.”
“But … her only concern was that Cauldwells might not be able to match the latest technology that some of the London agencies now use.”
Too quickly now.
“That simply isn’t the case.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“The software we use is absolutely cutting edge.”
“Good. In which case, I’m sure you won’t mind if I ask to see the 3D model myself?”
Anjii seemed surprised.
“I doubt it will mean much to you … all 3D schematics, hard to orient yourself.”
At least she was no longer saying I can’t see it, Sarah thought.
“I’d like to try anyway.”
“As you wish,” said Anjii, getting up from the sofa.
Result, thought Sarah. Now, fingers crossed …
Sarah followed her over to her desk and as the agent opened the clamshell of her laptop, she stood casually to one side, holding her iPad.
“Oh — Mrs. FitzHenry also asked if she could have a copy of the plan,” said
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