Harmony House Page 4

  Hilary had an assessment done and was very pleased and surprised by the suggested selling price.

  Mavis also decided to relinquish her heritage home for which there was always a market among buyers who respected the unique qualities of such rare, well-maintained buildings in good areas.

  The shared home idea began to grow and shape when Mavis’s home drew competition from a number of interested buyers. Hilary put her home up for private sale and together the women drew up the beginning of their plan.

  The Ontario Cottage sold first. Mavis removed her most precious personal belongings to storage and as soon as the new owners were ready to take possession she would move in with Hilary temporarily.

  For now, Mavis could still appreciate her old home and love its memories without the feeling of loss. The new family would bring fresh life to this home. They adored the heritage features and could not wait for their own home in St. Mary’s to be sold. They begged Mavis to sell them some of the antiques that looked perfectly in place in the cottage and she agreed to do so. It was a comfort to know Pete’s work would be respected and valued into the next generations.

  It was time to move on to a new phase of her life with all the excitement that created. She knew she and Hilary would manage together. They had known each other long enough to understand how to maximize the good points and minimize the lesser points of their characters. What bothered her now were the possible problems created by the new members of their co-housing plan. It had not been possible to frame a plan whereby one new person at a time could be incorporated. The large sum of money required for the future home purchase needed initial contributions. Mavis was aware this financial requirement would eliminate many women. She was surprised they had any interested parties at all and now she had seen the four women, her doubts only increased.

  Hilary would have to take her concerns about the four very seriously or the plan could be in jeopardy.

  Mavis knew Hilary had spent months doing a feasibility study on co-housing projects. She was a good researcher and had found a variety of sites online with advice and cautions in equal measure. She was convinced they could make this project work. Her conviction was what worried Mavis the most.

  Hilary, once set on a course, was a force to be reckoned with. She was like an ocean liner that cannot be turned quickly or easily.

  Mavis Montgomery acknowledged and accepted her role as the quiet voice of reason to steer toward safety whenever the ship of Hilary Dempster was venturing into dangerous waters.

  The second bedroom was prepared for Mavis’s eventual occupation, but Hilary took over the smallest of the three bedrooms as her office. She set up files in meticulous order with labels denoting clear headings about communal living. She found convincing arguments on both sides and maintained a running total of pros and cons. That list, pinned to a handy bulletin board was now larger than she had believed when she started out but it was almost neck and neck and that was of some concern.

  “Better to have too much information,” she told herself, “than not enough.”

  Surprisingly, she discovered this was not a new idea. The co-housing movement began in Denmark in the 1960s and there were now models in Australia and the U.K. In 2012 a California architect published a handbook on senior co-housing and in Canada there was even a Facebook page called Cohousing For Creative Aging.

  Hilary pored over the various models and housing styles across Canada and found some were most focussed on developing building plans for blocks of apartment accommodation with the features of shared areas and social community. She suspected these ideas might devolve into pseudo retirement home look-alikes unless there was stringent supervision.

  The sources she felt most closely mirrored her own plan, were those who advised smaller homes for no less than four, and no more than six, women.

  What was common in all the advice was the urgent need for a new way of aging in place that could cost less than the $3,000 to $4,000 a month of standard retirement facilities. Most telling was the fact that when the money ran out for these fees the residents were not guaranteed a bed. Another factor that Hilary had not previously appreciated, was that in order to enter these retirement homes, a woman had to give up most of her possessions. The rooms for residents were small to allow the space for the impressive common areas.

  Co-housing benefits included many social and emotional advantages as well as the ability to retain equity in their shared home. Hilary was well aware of the legislation, municipal and provincial, that must be considered when setting up such a situation. She would need a forward-thinking lawyer to oversee contracts for each person. She had already underlined on her list the warning to be built into these contracts. As a popular Survivor television program decreed, a disagreeable resident could be ‘voted off the island’ by unanimous decision of the others.

  As the thought struck her that it’s all very well to have information, but when the theory becomes a reality and the actual persons who might be her housemates for years to come have been presented, good decisions must be made. Hilary left her desk and wandered into her bedroom where she found herself staring into the mirror behind the door.

  It was past time to confront her true feelings on the matter of co-housing. It was essential to be clear on the intent and the practicalities before things progressed too far to make reversals. She straightened her broad shoulders and sucked in her stomach; a pose she had always found helpful when dealing with troublesome children or feckless parents. That added inch or two made her feel more powerful and allowed her to loom over anyone of lesser height just long enough to impress them with her capabilities. Now she lifted her strong chin and confronted her facial expression. Did she reveal uncertainty in those grey eyes? Had her mouth assumed the thin line that indicated displeasure? Was her short brown hair flopping over her eyebrows as it was wont to do in moments of stress? Was her complexion the normal shade of fading tan or was the blush of nerves highlighted her cheekbones?

  She made her outer assessment and nodded approvingly at her image. Of course she could afford to lose a pound or three around her middle. Not a major concern at the moment. With the amount of work that was before her in the next few months, pounds should melt away without too much effort.

  All was as it should be. Her appearance at least had passed the inspection. But what about her mental state?

  She had to admit there were uncertainties in moving forward with the plan. In plain truth, it was all about choosing the right partners. One person out-of-sync with the other five might not be too much of a disruption as she would always be in the minority. But two, combining their disagreements, could be a disruptive force. She thought of the project as an orchestra in which the very different instruments were blended into a beautiful sound by the composer’s musical score. Without the guiding score, the sound would be ugly and discordant. She wondered what the equivalent of a score would be in a co-housing situation. Perhaps the house rules would act as a guide for the inhabitants.

  What bothered her was the thought that the orchestra analogy lacked a conductor to ensure all the musicians arrived with their instruments in the correct place and time. Was it going to be necessary to have a house mother to oversee the activities of the house partners?

  If so, it would be an onerous task at best and the possibility arose of that person becoming more of a dictator. Hilary stepped away from her mirror. She knew she was the obvious choice for such a role but she also knew she was the one who would most likely act as a dictator. In her first post as principal of a school she had become so anxious for the school to be a success that she pressed too hard on her staff and caused a deputation to go above her head to the area superintendent. He was a wise man who believed in her potential and who gave her both good advice and a second chance. She never made the same mistake again and she would not do so now in far different circumstances. Hilary Dempster was content to conduct the start-up process as a ‘guide on the side’ but she was determined not to attempt the r
ole of ‘sage on the stage’.

  At the end of her pro and con list she made the following notes:

  Choose house-mates very carefully.

  Select a house mother even more carefully and only when absolutely necessary.

  Self-determination among adults is to be preferred.

  Chapter 6

  Mavis and Hilary had prepared for the next meeting of the candidates. They had three main objectives. 1. Discuss the questionnaires.

  2. Check the commitment level.

  3. Answer any questions.

  They waited anxiously to see who would arrive first and if all four of the women would turn up at all.

  There had been no phone calls to indicate a change of mind but last minute panic was not unlikely in the circumstances.

  The waiting was worse than the first time. Hilary roamed from front door to living room and made minor adjustments to the seating. They had decided to leave the dining room set up as normal with the teak table in the centre and six chairs around it. For the second meeting they would be less formal and start the discussions in the living room as if among visiting friends.

  Mavis had recommended this approach.

  “You should stay seated, Hilary. Read a magazine or something for now. We don’t want to alarm them. I’ll welcome the women as before and you start the conversation as casually as you can manage. When everyone has arrived, I will wheel in the tea trolley and we’ll get down to business.”

  It was a fine plan but fine plans don’t always turn out as expected.

  Wilma Smith’s car drove into the driveway at the same time as Jannice O’Connor rounded the last bend in the road. She had been running part of the way from the bus stop fearing to be late and her long black hair had been jolted free of the clasps that held it off her face and strands were now clinging to her moist forehead.

  Vilma locked her car door and waited while Jannice approached at fast walking speed.

  Really, she’s quite a pretty little thing with that high cheek colour and the clear blue eyes. I don’t think there’s a vestige of makeup on her face and she looks fine. Dress her up nicely and she would be quite attractive but the clothes!! What a mess! Nothing fits her and it all must have fallen out of some old closet years ago. She needs help.

  “Hi there, Jannice! What kind of week have you had? I’ve been clearing out my clothes and shoes all week.”

  “Oh, Mrs. Smith, I am so worried. You’ve seen where I live. I am afraid the old house will not sell for near enough cash so I can claim a place in the shared house. I will be so disappointed. This idea was my one big chance.”

  “Dear, dear! Please don’t cry. Call me Vilma. You won’t be alone to deal with this. The whole thing about living together is so we can help each other when we need help. Come inside with me and we’ll see what can be done to help you.”

  This was the final straw. Jannice collapsed against Vilma’s side in relief and wept tears of happiness.

  She had twisted herself into knots for days and here was help on the very doorstep; and from such an unlikely source. Under normal circumstances she would never dream of asking a wealthy woman like Vilma Smith for assistance of any kind and now she was offering help.

  Jannice dashed the tears from her face, tucked the errant strands of her hair back behind her ears and followed Vilma up the front steps.

  It’s a lesson to me, for sure. I will try never to judge a person on first impressions again.

  Mavis watched this interaction through the stained glass panel on the door. She was surprised to see Vilma react with sympathy. She could not hear the words they exchanged but the body language spoke volumes. She felt sure she had an unexpected ally in Vilma and opened the door to welcome them both with real warmth.

  She took their coats.

  “You two are the first to arrive. The wind is chilly today and there’s a definite touch of winter in the air. Hilary is in the living room waiting for you. I’ll bring hot tea and coffee when everyone is here.”

  Next to come was Josette Delacour. She was wearing a black fur hat on her fair hair and a pair of ridiculously high heels on her feet. The heavy fur coat to match the hat was found a spot in the hall closet and Mavis felt its weight and knew it was not imitation. She thought it was risky to wear fur these days as so many people were against killing animals for this purpose. She also figured Josette probably could not care less about those opinions.

  “Please go through, Josette. Vilma and Jannice have just arrived.”

  Hilary looked up as Josette entered and her eyes went to the shoes, as did those of Vilma and Jannice.

  They had just been hearing of Vilma’s attempts to clear out her shoe closet and all three could not repress a chuckle as they saw what Vilma had described as ‘passion pushers’ on Josette’s feet.

  The wearer of the shoes was not affected in the least. She presumed it was envy and as that was exactly the impression she was trying to make, she was pleased. She took a seat on the other side of the room, fluffed up her hair, smiled contentedly and made herself comfortable.

  Mavis moved nervously between the front entrance and the kitchen. The trolley was ready for the boiling water to be poured into the teapot. The coffee was heating beneath the coffee maker and the cookies and scones were in place. She was beginning to fear that Eve Barton might not come today and a series of awful visions were parading through her mind. All involved actions and reactions of the husband from whom Eve had been keeping secrets. Mavis had not yet fully apprised Hilary of her worries about Eve. She knew that discussion could not be postponed much longer. She was waiting to see what today’s meeting would reveal.

  Just as she was adding more napkins to the trolley, she heard a quiet tap on the front door. She saw the familiar slouchy hat and the awkward angle of head she recognized from their first meeting and opened the door quickly before anyone else noticed. The volume of voices in the living room should give them a moment or two of private conversation.

  “Eve, I am so glad to see you. Come inside out of the wind. Did you come by cab again? How are you?

  Sorry! I am not giving you a chance to reply. I have been anxious about you.”

  “I am here safely, Mavis, and that’s all that is important for now. It’s most kind of you to be concerned for me and I appreciate it more than you can know. I am looking forward to today’s discussion. I have my answers ready. I hope they will suffice.”

  “Don’t worry. Come in and take a seat. Keep your hat on as before, if you wish. Give me a hand with the trolley.”

  Hilary looked up as the two women pushed the trolley forward into the room.

  “Excellent! Everyone is here. Help yourselves to a hot drink and something sweet. Mavis’s raisin and cheese scones are legendary. She brought extras.”

  Eve clutched her questionnaire in her hand and sat down. Mavis poured a cup of tea for her and balanced a fudge cookie on the saucer. “I think you took milk the last time, Eve. Relax for a minute. We’ll start soon.”

  Eve nodded gratefully. She felt inadequate to enter the conversations of the others and needed space to calm her beating heart.

  Hilary waited until everyone was served then she commenced on the program they had decided upon. First, she announced that the questionnaires would not be collected.

  “I imagine you guessed I was a teacher for some years but this is not an exam. The purpose of Mavis’s questions is to give you a chance to think more deeply about the shared house idea.”

  There was an outbreak of relieved laughter in the room. Four women visibly relaxed and the questions began at once with a comment.

  “I found these questions to be thought-provoking and I’m sure I was not alone in that.”

  Hilary immediately noticed how Vilma had included the others in her comment. This was a good sign and a point in her favour. She was not the superficial rich woman she first appeared to be.

  Jannice smiled at Vilma and ventured to add, “I thought a lot about all the questions
and the one I want to mention is about hidden talents. You see I’m afraid I don’t have much to offer in the other categories and I am not sure I will be included in this wonderful plan in the end, but I do have practical nursing skills. I looked after both my parents at home until they died and there’s not much I haven’t seen or done in that department. I am also willing to act in any other helpful capacity, if needed.”

  Jannice visibly deflated after this long speech. It was as if she had summoned up everything in her and now she was emptied out.

  Mavis, who had seen her distraught arrival at the house only a few minutes previously, was impressed by her courage and quick to respond. “Thank you, Jannice. Those are very important suggestions. Does anyone have anything to add on the issue of hidden talents?”

  Attention now moved to the others and Jannice cast a grateful glance toward Mavis.

  Josette decided she needed to divert interest away from these women she considered to be born losers.

  “Well, personally, I have many talents, none of them hidden.” She chuckled knowingly at this jest. “However, I am more concerned about comforts and facilities like square footage and private bathrooms and space for cars. Comprenez-vous?

  Mavis let Hilary handle this one. She was becoming more and more convinced that Josette was not going to be a compatible companion for this venture.

  “Yes, Jo. These concerns are valid, of course, but we are still a long way from decisions like that. If and when we choose our house we can get into specifics.”

  Hilary’s tone was cool and Josette was delighted to have thrown a spanner into the works as it were. She settled back in her chair and watched with interest to see what would emerge next.

  Surprisingly, to both Hilary and Mavis, it was Eve Barton who spoke up. She pulled nervously at her hat and swallowed visibly.

  “I agree it’s early days to be talking about details but I need to know now when I can submit my fee. I am not a financial expert, although I did an accountancy degree years ago. I believe a large sum of money can be placed in a safe investment and the interest accumulated to benefit everyone involved. Would this not be a good idea?”