Glancing round the empty flat one last time, Tori looked up at Tom and smiled.
“Ready to go, Luv?”
“More than ready, Tom. I can’t wait to see what you and Stevo have done to the house,” Tori laughed in reply. She picked up her bag and headed for the door.
Tom locked up and pocketed the keys. He’d stop off at the ambo station on the way and hand them in. Then they would head off for The Glen and their first home, rather than settling for another rented unit.
He and Tori were still in shock over the Lotto win, but they were a sensible couple and, apart from paying cash for the house, they weren’t going to go mad with their unexpected windfall. For sure they needed to furnish top to bottom, having only lived in furnished units before, but they had gone for sturdy and comfortable rather than flashy.
Tom and Stevo had done everything, from decorating the house to shopping around for furniture. Stevo’s mum had been a great help. She was a noted Aboriginal artist and renowned interior designer, and had made an effort to glean as much information out of Tori, when they had met at Stevo’s, regarding the way she wanted her new home to look.
The house was now fully furnished in comfy sofas, covered in beautiful print throws; with original Aboriginal art work on the walls. Tom couldn’t wait to see Tori’s reaction when they arrived.
Jeff had been fantastic as well. The kitchen was just perfect, and he’d done wonders with the bathroom, installing a multi jet shower unit and a whirlpool bath. The tiling consisted of ‘earth’ colours, and it all felt warm and inviting. Tom smiled to himself at the way Stevo had instantly been attracted to Jeff, and he was just waiting for things to develop in that area.
Before too long, they were at The Glen. Driving slowly through the small town square, Tom headed towards the hills just on the outskirts of the built up area. He pulled up at the top of the rise of the dirt track and looked down at their new home.
Taking Tori’s hand in his, he looked at her and smiled, “Be it ever so humble, Luv…”
He put the car in gear and they went down the hill and pulled up at the front of the house. Stevo and ‘Mum’ were there to welcome them both, and they were soon looking round the beautifully decorated and furnished property.
Tori hugged Tom and smiled, “There’s no place like home.”
