Chapter 10
The Offer She Refused
Transparency did what money had failed to do: it gave the campaign an argument people wanted to join.
Pledges crossed £180,000. A heritage fund offered conditional matching. The cooperative filed with seventy-three founding members, including three of Nora's dates and none of her relatives.
Malcolm responded by accusing Theo of stealing proprietary work.
At the press conference, Nora named every conflict before a reporter could. "Theo Mercer assessed the building. His firm seeks to acquire it. He now works for the cooperative at deferred cost, and every drawing will be independently reviewed."
Theo stood behind her, stripped of the authority his surname once supplied.
Malcolm served him papers before the cameras.
"Return all project materials," the solicitor said.
Theo handed over his firm laptop. Then he removed a paper copy from inside his coat and gave it to Nora.
"Personal notes," he said. "Made before the engagement letter."
Malcolm's control slipped. "Those plans are incomplete."
"Then they cannot be proprietary deliverables."
For the first time, Nora saw Theo enjoy a technicality.
The independent engineer reviewed his drawings that afternoon. The balcony could reopen, but the repair estimate was not £340,000.
It was £712,000.
More than the building's purchase price. More than the new campaign target. More than Nora could explain away with hope and folding chairs.
Theo found her alone beneath the screen.
"If you want to stop," he said, "stop because of the number. Not because Malcolm made you ashamed of wanting it."
Nora looked at the estimate.
"Tomorrow," she said, "we tell everyone what it really costs."