The Expat Diaries: Misfortune Cookie (Single in the City Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Edwardian to post-war. Not here. Hong Kongers don’t like living in anything built before the Spice Girls broke up.
    ‘Uh-huh, very nice,’ I say. ‘Just one thing. Shouldn’t it have two bedrooms?’
    ‘Yes, yes, two. Here. This way.’ She opens a door in the kitchen that I assumed was the laundry room.
    I was right. ‘It’s a laundry room.’
    ‘Maid’s quarters. Bed goes here.’ She pats the countertop that Mom would use to fold clothes warm from the dryer.
    ‘You put a bed on that?’
    ‘Yes, very good price.’
    I admit the price is good. For a two -bedroom apartment. Human rights violations aside, it’s disingenuous to sell closets as maid’s quarters. I didn’t think accommodation could get smaller, or more expensive, than the submarine torpedo launch tubes masquerading as bedrooms in London. ‘Thanks, can I let you know?’
    She nods, shooing me away as her phone rings. Clearly she’s got bigger fish to fry. I’ll just let myself out.
    ‘It’s kind of small,’ I say to the woman who’s followed me to the elevator.
    ‘It’s not too bad, compared to some I’ve seen,’ she says with a giggle. ‘She was surprised when you objected to the maid’s quarters.’
    ‘Well come on, who would put a person in there?’
    She grins knowingly. ‘It’s your first viewing, isn’t it?’
    I sigh. ‘No, I’ve seen a string of them. That’s the first one that tried selling a box room as a bedroom though. I’m already tired of this process and it’s only been a week!’
    ‘I know what you mean. Eventually you’ll lose the will to live and just pick the next one you see. I’m at that point. I’ll probably take that one. You sound American. Did you come from the US?’
    ‘I am, but I came from London. Where are you from?’
    ‘I’m Canadian. From Vancouver but my parents moved here when I started college. When do you need to move in?’
    Now that I no longer think she’s a professional plant, there’s no reason not to be friendly. She looks around my age. And she hasn’t stopped smiling. This fact, added to her huge blue eyes and big loopy chin-length blonde curls, makes her seem a very jolly gal indeed. ‘In a couple of weeks,’ I tell her. ‘I’m in a corporate apartment now, but I’ll move in with my friend when she gets here.’
    ‘Ah–’ giggle, giggle ‘–that makes sense now. That’s why you need two bedrooms. I’ll be on my own.’ Her words pour forth from her megawatt grin. It’s a bit like watching sound come from a ventriloquist’s dummy.
    ‘You said your parents live here? Then why don’t you…’ If I lived within sleeping distance of my parents’ sofa I wouldn’t be looking for an apartment.
    ‘I’m living with them now.’ Her expression tells me all I need to know.
    ‘I understand.’ We’ve reached the front entrance. Even though it’s still relatively cool (that’s relative to the sun), the atmosphere has a sponginess about it that I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to.
    ‘Do you feel like grabbing a coffee? Hee hee! If you’re not busy, I mean.’
    Maybe she’s got a nervous tick. Or maybe she sucks laughing gas from her handbag. I think she’s just being friendly. I don’t want to suggest that I’m a babe-magnet, but accepting invitations from strange women have resulted in a few misunderstandings. Short of a woman lap dancing on me, I haven’t always read the signals very well. ‘Sure, I’ve got some time before lunch.’ Who am I kidding? The Man in the Iron Mask had a more active social life. ‘I’m Hannah.’
    ‘Rachel. Nice to meet you. We can head towards the escalator if that’s not out of your way. There’s a cafe there that does organic cakes.’
    I’d trade a kidney for a proper piece of cake. The bakeries here are filled with a heartbreaking waste of calories. They may look delicious, but taste of nothing.
    ‘Do you mean real cakes?’ I ask hopefully.
    ‘Sort of.’ She shakes her head, clearly as distraught as I am.