Legacy of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page A

the easy layout. Yes, she lived alone there, but she was always aware of others around her. Her upstairs neighbours were quiet, but the occasional thump or heavy step or closing door reminded her that there were people close by and even at night there were street sounds and occasional cars and cats prowling and yowling, barking dogs in the next street …
    This
was isolated, Naomi thought. At least, to her mind it was and yet several times she had heard those who were used to such seclusion speak of the place where Rupert had died as being in the middle of nowhere.
    If Fallowfields was generally counted as being
somewhere
then just how desperately alone must Rupert have felt on the day he died.

Five
    M orning brought a series of shocks.
    â€˜I’ll run through the finer points in a moment, but, to be brief, apart from his share of the shop, he’s left everything to you.’ Donald Grieves, Rupert’s solicitor peered at Alec over the top of his bifocals.
    â€˜To me?’ Alec turned to Marcus Prescott. ‘You knew about this?’
    â€˜Of course. Rupert and I made out our wills at the same time. Whoever passed on first took over the shop. Rupert wanted the rest to go to you. I believe, apart from the house, there’s some seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds in a savings account.’ He looked at Donald Grieves for confirmation.
    â€˜Something of that order,’ Grieves nodded.
    Alec was too stunned to say a word.
    â€˜Why Alec?’ Naomi asked and Alec glanced first at her and then back at the solicitor.
    â€˜Yes, exactly. Why me?’
    It was Marcus Prescott that replied. ‘Rupert liked you. Loved you. He wanted those things he loved to go to someone he felt the same about, and, as he and your father were no longer on speaking terms, that direction was never an option. Rupert said you always kept in touch and he had adored your visits to Fallowfields when you were younger. He used to talk about one day when there was a storm rolling in from the sea. Do you remember that?’
    Alec nodded. ‘Oh yes,’ he said softly. ‘Yes, I do.’
    â€˜He rated you highly, my boy. Said you were honest and kind and just that little bit driven. All qualities
I
loved in Rupert. You know,’ Marcus continued thoughtfully, ‘I always thought he’d have made a good father.’
    The solicitor laughed uncertainly. ‘Pity he never found the right woman.’
    Marcus deliberated thoughtfully, and Alec could see that he had revived Naomi’s ruminations of the day before. She no longer thought that Rupert and Marcus had been lovers, but she still questioned whether Rupert would have been interested in ‘the right woman’.
    â€˜So, what happens now?’ Naomi asked.
    â€˜I’m stunned,’ Alec added unnecessarily.
    â€˜Well, everything has been set up to make the transfer of deed and so forth as easy as possible. Um, Rupert was concerned that, even with keeping the house, there will be tax to pay, so he made some provision for that. There’s the bank account, though, with inflation etc, it may not cover everything. I do know that he was keen you should keep Fallowfields. Said so on a number of occasions, said it would stand you in good stead for the long term, but I’m sure he would have understood should you decide to sell. No rush, of course.’
    â€˜No,’ Alec said. ‘I mean. I have to think about this. I’ve still not taken it in.’
    â€˜No, no, of course. I’ve put a little pack together for you. Copy of the will and other paperwork relating to the legacy. You can go through it at your leisure and, of course, don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.’
    Alec allowed himself to be guided to the local hotel where Marcus had arranged for them to have lunch. He felt numbed, shocked. He had hoped for some small legacy from his uncle, just something to remember him by. To have been allowed to