The Legacy, Caroline Bond [popular books to read txt] 📗

had been very explicit about that. She knew exactly what the will said. It was succinct. Short on words, but not on implications.

Liv had reached the end of the document – her second read-through. She laid the papers down on the table. ‘Well, this is going to take some sorting out.’

‘You can say that again, Sis.’ Noah seemed to be enjoying the confusion in the room. It was insensitive, especially with Megan sitting there silently and stoically at the end of the table.

‘Was there another will? Before this one?’

Rachel had wondered how soon they’d get round to that. Liv was the quickest off the mark. ‘There was an original will, written and amended in the 1980s, when you were young children. Then changes were made after your parents got divorced in…’ she checked her well-prepared notes; she’d known this wasn’t going to be a straightforward meeting, ‘2015.’

‘And when was this version written?’ The older sister again.

‘Jonathan approached the firm in early June to get the ball rolling. It was signed off, as you can see by the date, on the twenty-eighth of the same month.’

As if choreographed, all three siblings sat back in their chairs simultaneously, absorbing the information that the will was only five months old.

The pause was broken by Megan, who asked in a quiet voice, ‘What does it say?’

Megan had not been given a copy of the document, as was correct. She had not been named as an executor and, therefore, had no legal right to know what instructions the will contained. Jonathan’s insistence on this had puzzled and troubled Rachel, but she had been in no position to query it. It was none of her business. A client’s wishes were to be recorded and executed, not challenged.

A silent exchange of glances between the siblings landed the problem of Megan firmly at Liv’s door. She picked up her copy, hesitated, then – instead of passing it over to Megan – began reading its contents aloud, her voice steady and even-paced:

‘The Last Will and Testament of Jonathan Avery Coulter,

28 June 2019

• I appoint my children, Olivia Louise Redpath, Noah Avery Coulter and Chloe Emma Coulter, as joint executors of my estate.

– There is only one specific bequest to be made:

– A cash lump sum of £5,000 to Lisa Joanne Browne, who currently resides at 12 Prospect Close, Scarborough, YO12 6EN.

• I leave the remainder of my estate, in its entirety – including all my remaining financial assets (after any debts are paid), including the house at 67 Belvedere Avenue, Scarborough, YO11 2UU, and all its contents, etc. – to my executors.

• My executors must agree unanimously on the fair and appropriate division and distribution of the estate.

• Should my executors be unable to reach such an agreement, the proceeds of my estate will go – in its entirety – to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, Francis Crick House, 6 Summerhouse Road, Moulton Park, Northampton, NN3 6BJ, tel. no. 01604 250505.

• I appoint Rachel Hewson of Greenwood Solicitors to fulfil the instructions of my executors.’

While Liv read out the stark paragraphs, Rachel studied Megan. She sat remarkably still, her expression guarded. The only discernible sign of stress was the way she kept pressing down on the nail of her little finger with her thumb. When Liv finished, Rachel felt compelled to offer Megan something other than words. ‘Ms Brooke, would you like a glass of water?’ But Megan shook her head.

The awkwardness was just as Rachel had feared. She began to fill the silence with well-intentioned waffle.

‘I appreciate that it’s going take you some time to talk this through and reach your conclusions. I want to stress that your father’s “conditions” are not legally enforceable. I would strongly advise you not to rush into any decisions regarding the estate, despite your father’s injunction. And, as his surviving family, the nature of his funeral service is entirely up to you.’

They made no move.

It was Megan who stirred. She pushed her chair away from the table and stood up. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’ Her voice broke the impasse. They all shifted in their seats. Rachel admired Megan’s calmness, or at least her pretence of it. Megan made for the door. Rachel stood up, intending to follow her out. She had a duty of care to the whole family, not only the executors.

‘Before you go.’ Noah stopped her departure.

Rachel turned in the doorway. ‘Yes?’ She wished he would just spit it out. She didn’t want Megan to leave before she had a chance to speak to her.

‘I’ve got a question.’ He paused. ‘Who the hell is Lisa Browne?’

Chapter 6

WITH MEGAN and the solicitor out of the room, the brakes came off.

‘Did you know about this?’ Noah was first on the offensive.

‘No, of course not!’ Liv responded. ‘You?’

‘No!’ Noah replied. They stared at each other.

‘Neither did I, if either of you is interested.’ Chloe’s jibe went unnoticed.

‘So who did you think was his executor?’ Noah asked.

‘Well, me, as the eldest. He asked me ages ago.’ Liv picked up the will again and scanned the totally unhelpful instructions. She really could do without this. The panicky, sick feeling in her stomach increased.

‘And of course you assumed it was just you he wanted.’ Noah’s sarcasm was sharp and squarely directed at Liv.

She was not in the mood for it. ‘Oh, don’t start getting snippy. I thought it was going to be a straightforward, but not inconsiderable, admin job. He gave me the impression that everything was sorted out. That he’d left clear instructions for me – or whoever – to execute. I had no idea about this.’ She waved the will around. ‘He did mention that he was going to update his will, but he didn’t go into any details.’

‘And you didn’t ask?’ Noah didn’t look convinced.

‘It didn’t seem appropriate, in the circumstances. I didn’t want him thinking I was prying… or questioning his capacity. You know what he was like about stuff like that, especially as he got sicker.’

‘Don’t you