It was a great deal. Or so he thought.

‘Are you staying here or going back to Italy?’

Leroy sipped his wine.

‘Antonio owns the house so…’

Gabriella shifted in her chair.

‘Dad taught me a little about investments. I have enough to buy it.’

Gabriella moved her food round her plate.

‘All my money is tied up in the business.’

‘Its ok, I’ll talk to him.’

***

Leroy met Antonio at the lake.

‘What are your plans?’

‘I want to be anywhere that doesn’t remind me of your damn mother, but all my money is tied up in our house.’

‘What if I was to buy it off you?’

‘You’d do that?’

‘My mother wants her home, and it seems like it’s over between you. My dad was responsible for that. I know it doesn’t fix things, but it might help.’

‘I will get an estate agent to value it.’

‘I will too.’

***

The numbers came back, and they agreed on a price. It was a great deal. Or so he thought. The cheque cleared before he knew Antonio had taken a loan out in Gabriella’s name, used the house for collateral and stopped paying. If he bought the house at the agreed price, he would still have to pay off his mother’s loan.

‘It’s in her name, she took it out.’

‘I know it was you, she told me.’

‘Prove it.’

‘It’s your house.’

‘Was. All yours now, not my problem.’