Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Kirstie's Christmas, Part 5

Back at the Threesome's home, Michael serves up coffee and cake in the lounge then piles logs onto the fire.

Richard's phone buzzes. He holds up a forefinger and everyone falls silent.

"Yes? Ah, Brian, thank you for getting back so quickly..." His eyes pass to mine. "Yes, I have them with me... Yes? As per the original asking price? Ah... I understand. Yes, I'll get back to you."

He snaps the lid down on his mobile. "That was my old friend, the owner of the mill. He is hesitating because his lawyer has been approached by a third party who has offered him a better price."

The cake congeals in my mouth. Ryan sags. "Oh... That's that then. We can't get into a bidding war. As it is, we'd be way out on a limb financially..."

Richard Harrumphs, then sniffs. "Not necessarily. There's more to any offer than the price."

I swallow hard, trying to free my mouth of cake. "I'm not with you. What else is there?"