House Hunting - part 1

January 2030

Violet Fyfe is 36, Uziah is 39, Wesley is 13, Willow is 7

Violet stood outside the house she was there to view and immediately knew it was going to be another let-down. Priya Dawlish, her estate agent, clearly saw it on Violet's face,

“I know it's close to the road but there's a pretty garden at the back and it's near the river which means there are some lovely views from the upstairs windows.”

Violet thought about the views she currently had, looking out the bay towards the lighthouse, and couldn't imagine persuading the family that a view of the shops across the river would compare.

Her feeling of disappointment continued as they went around the house, the rooms were a decent size but the outside space was tiny compared to their grounds and it just wasn't right. Haven Bay wasn't a large town and she was starting to think they would run out of places to see before finding anywhere she could bear to show to the rest of the family.

“Next!”, she tried to sound cheerful and optimistic as they got into Priya's car to go to the next property.

The next house was better, it was built in a similar style to their home but definitely on a smaller scale. Violet knew she shouldn't keep dwelling on how places compared to a house they couldn't afford to keep but it was difficult when she had been so happy living there. Priya kept up the cheerful chatter, she knew the situation the Fyfes were facing and felt bad for them but she was realistic about the houses they could afford. They had become used to a mansion style of living but they were only a family of four and downsizing to a perfectly good house was hardly a disaster. When they got to the next house she waited for Violet's reaction.

“But Priya, isn't this is your house?” Violet looked around confused,

Priya smiled, “no, different road but it is the same style of house. You mentioned at the office that you liked our place and since it was a new build you can buy land and have it built to order, if that's something you might find interesting.” She didn't say it but while Violet looked around she couldn't help thinking that it would be difficult to say there wasn't enough space in this house. She wasn't close friends with Violet and Uziah but she had helped them find the previous house and with teenage boys in the same football team the two families had visited each other's homes a few times. Of course while Violet and Uziah had a beautiful large home with plenty of room for them and their two children, Priya and her husband had to fit five children into their modest house and they managed just fine. She waited for Violet's response.

“I do love your home, it had such a lovely feel.” Violet paused while she thought about it, “but how long would it take to have a house built to order? And what about available lots?”

Priya turned around and pointed to the field next to the house they were viewing, “how about that one? It will take longer than you had planned for the move but I can find you somewhere to rent while it's being built. And it does mean you would have more say in all the details...” she wasn't sure what else to say without sounding like she was trying to sell her own family's lifestyle.

Violet did her best to smile, it wasn't the delighted grin of a househunter who had found the perfect place but then she already had the perfect place,

“OK, it's a good option and I think I need to talk Uziah through everything I've seen this afternoon and see what he thinks.”

“Of course, just give me a ring if there's anything you want to show him or pop by the office if you want me to look further afield or talk about any other options.” Priya switched off her professional demeanour for a moment. “I know this isn't easy Violet, to feel like you've given something lovely to your children only to have to take it away from them again so soon.”

Violet looked up, surprised at how accurately Priya had pinned down her feelings.

“Just remember, children are more resilient than we think they are and often their priorities are completely different to ours. Wesley and Willow may think it's more important to be closer to their friends, or not mind having a smaller house if it means they get more expensive birthday presents.” The two women smiled at each other with the shared camaraderie of mothers.

“You're right, I think it's time we talked about this as a family and decided what everyone would like from their new house. Thank you Priya”

That evening Violet and Uziah sat down with the children to tell them the news about the house.

Wesley and Willow weren't as upset as Violet had feared, although Priya had been right about them having different priorities.   

Wesley was worried about having enough room to keep all his gym equipment, Uziah was able to reassure him that with an astronaut as a father they were hardly likely to get rid of the equipment he needed to keep his fitness levels up. Of course then Wesley was quick to mention the for sale signs he had seen near his girlfriend Dahlia's house. No ulterior motive there Violet thought with a smile.   

Willow was more focused on the area they might be moving to, she was obsessed with geology and fossil hunting and loved the beach area opposite their current home as well as the woods adjoining their garden which had yielded plenty of goodies for her collections. Then she started wondering whether a cheaper house would mean more money for her to have a new computer. Different priorities for everyone, just as Priya had foretold.

Once the children had gone to bed, Uziah and Violet sat down to discuss the options. They agreed to view a couple of the houses Violet thought might be acceptable on Saturday and headed to bed, still downcast about leaving their home but at least feeling a little less worried about how the children would cope with the upcoming change.