by Annie Weir
‘How is your family, Mrs. Henson? I hear your son runs the business now.’
‘Yes, he’s doing well but I fear his heart isn’t in it. Since his brother decided that his interests lie elsewhere, you know.’
‘Yes. I heard he’d moved to London.’
‘Yes, better all round I think. I don’t think he ever really fitted in Hexham. He is able to lead a much more colourful life away from here.’
He had no idea what she was talking about, so as the waitress brought the tea and scones, he broached the subject of what he was doing here.
‘So, can I help you in some way, Mrs. Henson?’
‘No, young man, it is I who can help you.’
Martin Lloyd was not aware that he needed any help but his upbringing prevented him telling this to a perfectly nice elderly lady. He waited.
‘Your uncle and I were friends for many years.’
‘Yes, you played bridge together, didn’t you?’
‘Yes, and he did some work with my husband many years ago. I would say that I knew him for about fifty years, off and on. It is very sad that he is no longer with us.’
‘Indeed. Yes, you knew him for a long time.’
‘Yes, and I can tell you that he was behaving a little strangely towards the end, and having meetings with his accountant; secret meetings.’
‘He liked to keep his business and financial affairs to himself. None of us knew the extent of his wealth until last week.’
‘I still think you should, um, how can I put this delicately?’
‘Check her out? Judith Dillon? Why?’
‘I can’t put my finger on it, not in any definite way, but she is not the person she was. Confidentially,’ she leaned forward at this point, ‘I have had to chase her for some very basic work for our business. Normally she would have done it in an afternoon, but she was evasive and difficult, and even bordering on rude. I have a bad feeling about her.’
‘Our solicitor is the executor of my Uncle Henry’s will and he has asked for all the paperwork. I’m sure if anything is amiss then he will find it.’
‘I’m sure he will. I am just alerting you to my fears. I shall be taking our business elsewhere.’
‘Really? Are things that bad?’
‘Really! Well, young man, thank you for the tea,’ she said and stood up. Martin Lloyd stood with her and helped her on with her coat, then sat back down to consider what she had said. She may be as mad as his uncle had been but she seemed very sharp, and it took a lot in this town for people to ‘take their business elsewhere’. He decided not to do anything about it other than to be alert.
Tuesday 2nd December 2009
‘Miss Dillon, please.’ Mrs. Henson stood at Helen’s desk. ‘I’ll wait.’
Helen disappeared into Judith’s office. Judith was deep in information about The Mental Capacity Act, guardianship and enduring powers of attorney.
‘Who?’
‘Mrs. Henson; from Henson Electrical.’
‘What does she want? Can’t you deal with it?’
‘She won’t talk to me. She won’t even sit down. She says she’s going to stand at my desk until you see her.’
Mrs. Henson marched in.
‘Yes,’ she said, ‘but I had no intention of standing there for long.’ She sat down on the chair at Judith’s desk and faced her squarely.
Judith nodded at Helen.
‘Would you like some tea or coffee, Mrs. Henson?’
‘No thank you. I won’t be staying long.’ She waited until Helen had left and shut the door before she continued. ‘It is only fair that I tell you that I had tea yesterday afternoon with Henry Lloyd’s nephew, Martin.’
Judith returned Mrs. Henson’s level gaze. ‘Oh how lovely. He is a charming man, just like his uncle, well just like all the family really. How is he?’
‘You are not at all concerned that I spoke to him?’
‘No, of course not. Why would I have any feelings about it at all?’
‘You were Henry’s accountant, were you not?’
‘Yes.’ It was taking all of Judith’s self-control not to tell this old bag that none of this was her business, but she was on a mission to keep clients at the moment rather than lose them. ‘And so he will remain until I hand over his books to his solicitor.’
‘I see. Well, I have told you. I thought it was only fair.’
‘Thank you, Mrs. Henson. Is there anything else I can help you with today?’
‘No thank you. Not today.’ With that she stood up and walked out.
Helen came straight through.
‘Everything alright? What did she want?’
‘I have no idea what she was on about. She told me she had been out for tea yesterday. Thanks for trying to head her off, by the way, but it will take more than that to stop her getting through my door.’
‘I do my best. I try to filter what gets through to you so you can concentrate on the clever stuff.’
‘Oh, great, thanks. Anyway, do you want to come through with the diary and we can sort out what’s happening this week?’
Judith reflected that life had become so much easier since Helen had arrived.
Thursday 4th December 2008
Chloe had reluctantly agreed to decorate her shop for Christmas. Louise, as she kept telling her, was the retailer and she knew best. Chloe had, however, insisted on fresh holly and ivy and berries, which meant that it all had to be replaced and refreshed every few days. They were working together snipping and tastefully tying ribbons as they planned their Christmas do.
‘I agree that we should have something like the opening event,’ said Louise, ‘but champagne cocktails aren’t necessary. People will always expect that if you do it twice running.’
‘What then?’
‘Wine and cheese. That will be enough. A little snack and a little drink on people’s way home from work will be perfect. It’s enough to get them here but they won’t stay half the night.’
‘Hm, OK, wine and cheese it is. Are we still on for a week Friday; I haven’t left it too late to invite people, have I?’
‘Not at all. If we do it from four o’clock onwards, people can come here and still go out later.’
‘OK, I’ll finish the invitations and take them round to local businesses personally today. The ones for out of town I’ll post while I’m out so they’ll get them in the morning.’
‘Are you going to invite Judith Dillon?’
‘Of course.’
‘She spooked you at the auction in Newcastle.’
‘She didn’t at all. I spooked myself. It’s you keeping on about her anyway. She’s done nothing, actually, to upset me at all. As I said, I quite like the woman. And I’ve been feeling bad about not seeing her since that day. I will deliver hers first. In fact, I’ll call now to make sure she’ll be in later.’
‘If you must. I still don’t trust her though.’
‘Because of? Town gossip about her family that doesn’t seem to match what happens with her family? What else? Tash says some of the kids at school think she’s weird? She lives on her own and treats herself to a new car?’
‘Well, there was her friend Alison who moved here from London about three years ago. She was an accountant too, in a big practice. There was talk about why she suddenly moved back down south; gave up her job and everything.’
‘Maybe she just didn’t settle here. Hexham is not London by any stretch of the imagination. Maybe it didn’t live up to the rural dream.’
‘OK, OK. La la la. I heard you. You invite her and I will be charming. You can trust me.’
After work Judith drove out to Mill View to visit her mother. She felt that, on the whole, the visits did more harm than good. Her mother either didn’t recognise her, or c
alled her Fiona, or moaned about her and Fiona either being there all the time or not visiting at all. On the odd occasions when she did know her, she thought she was going to be taken home. It seemed to annoy Fiona when she went, and she had started saying that she went to see their mother more at Mill View than when she had lived at home. There was no pleasing anyone. If she didn’t go, they’d all complain about that as well. Judith was in a good mood this afternoon following Chloe’s visit so thought she could take on everyone, whatever they threw at her.
Tina asked to see her when she arrived. She wanted to talk about Henry Lloyd. Judith was wary, and thought she was going to ask about the last meeting she’d had with him. It wasn’t that.
‘Your mother keeps asking about Henry,’ she said. ‘I’ve told her that he isn’t coming back but she seems to think he will.’
‘I don’t know why,’ Judith replied, ‘because on the day of the funeral it was her who had told me that he’d died. Actually I didn’t believe her, but she insisted that you had gone to see him off.’
‘Yes, I used that phrase. I think now I should have made it clearer, that it was his funeral, I mean.’
‘Well, she’d known him for a long time. I suppose he was her only real friend here. I know some of the staff have known our family for ages, but Henry was always about town, a member of everything, and a charmer.’
‘Yes, maybe it’s that. Well, if your mum’s a bit unsettled, I think that’s why.’
‘OK, thanks for the warning.’
Judith’s mother was very quiet. Judith broached the subject of the solicitor and the power of attorney, and she simply nodded and said yes, whatever Fiona felt was right.
‘I’m Judith, Mum.’
‘Yes, I know. But I said we will do whatever Fiona feels is right.’
‘Yes, of course, but it would be better if we all agree.’
‘I agree with you, dear.’
‘You agree that we all have to agree, or that you still think I’m Fiona? Oh never mind, I’ll talk to her about it anyway.’
‘I saw Henry the other day. I thought he was dead.’
‘He is dead, Mum. You told me that, remember?’
‘Yes, but I saw him.’
‘Ah, maybe you saw Martin. He’s here visiting and sorting out Henry’s things. You remember Martin, his nephew.’
‘Martin’s only small. This man was grown up, older than you I would say.’
‘He’s grown up now, Mum, and he looks like Henry; tall with white hair. That was Martin.’ She hoped that that would put her mother’s mind at rest and settle her down again. ‘I’ll tell Tina about the mix-up when I go. It’s an easy mistake to make.’
Fiona and Rosie arrived.
‘All the family together; that’s nice isn’t it Granny?’ said Rosie, planting a kiss on her grandmother’s cheek.
‘Fiona, how lovely to see you,’ beamed Granny.
‘I’m Rosie,’ said Rosie, completely at ease with the usual conversation.
‘If you’re me, and Rosie’s me, who does she think I am?’ Fiona muttered to Judith, then as she kissed her mother’s other cheek, ‘Hello Mum, it’s me, Fiona.’
‘Hello Fiona. I am so glad you’re here. Judith’s explained everything to me about Henry so there’s no need to worry.
The three younger women stared at her.
‘It seems that I have been seeing Martin, not a ghost.’
‘Good, just try to remember it, Mum. Do you think you can do that?’
‘Yes of course.’
Sunday 7th December 2008
Rosie was laying the table for lunch.
‘Shall I set a place for Auntie Ju, Mum?’
‘Yes but I don’t suppose she’ll stay.’
‘Why is she so, so, so funny with us all the time? She’s always been like it. I know she likes us really.’
‘It goes back a long way, back when your granddad was alive. She and Granny fell out and it was never mended properly. You could try asking her about it, but not today please. I can’t stand any arguments today.’
‘Here she is anyway,’ said Rosie, peering out of the window and waving.
Judith arrived with copies of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and a printout from the Alzheimers website about Enduring and Lasting Power of Attorney. She also had paper to make notes.
‘That all looks very official, Ju. Do you want a drink?’
‘Just coffee please,’ said Judith, ‘I need to be able to concentrate on this.’ She sat at the end of the dining table and distributed papers for each of them to look at.
‘This isn’t a business meeting, Ju.’
‘Yes it is, Fiona. We have to treat it as a serious business decision.’
‘But it’s our mum we’re discussing here.’
‘Oh, don’t start crying, please. It’s better if we keep to the facts and decide what’s best for her objectively; not through your tears and what’s going to make you feel less guilty.’
‘Auntie Ju, don’t be mean to Mum,’ Rosie said, ever the peacemaker.
‘Well, let’s just get on then.’
After sifting through and discussing each document they were in agreement that they would apply for Lasting Power of Attorney in relation to their mother’s Property and Affairs and also her Personal Welfare. They agreed that if possible they would get her agreement but also agreed that it may be difficult to find a day when she had sufficient understanding to join in with a decision. The difficulty came when discussing who would hold the power.
‘I’m the eldest,’ said Judith, ‘and I am an accountant so it would seem obvious that I am the best person to do it.’
‘I’ve lived with her for the last few years, and looked after her,’ countered Fiona, ‘so I know what is best for her welfare.’
‘You can do it jointly,’ said Rosie who was reading on, ‘so I suggest you do that.’
‘We’ll just argue over every decision if we do that,’ said Judith.
‘You’ll walk all over us if it’s just you,’ countered Fiona.
‘I’ll be it then,’ offered Rosie, ‘or at least be one as well.’
‘You’re not eighteen,’ they both said.
‘Let’s take advice from someone else then, and go with what they suggest,’ said Rosie.
‘I’m not trusting anyone else to make that decision for me,’ said Judith and sighed.
‘No, me neither, so we’ll have to share the responsibility. I’ll ask Tina to arrange for a doctor to do a certificate of capacity then we can ask John Greig to help us with the forms.’
Judith sighed again, but knew she wasn’t going to get any better than that. ‘OK, you win.’
The dinner had started to smell delicious and decidedly cooked. Rosie got up and said, ‘I’ll put the veg on, Mum. Are you staying, Auntie Ju? Roast chicken.’
Judith was going to say no, but changed her mind. ‘Yes please. I’d like that.’
‘Good,’ said Rosie and disappeared into the kitchen to finish cooking.
‘Shall we go out to Mill View later, then, and ask Tina to make a start on all this?’
‘She won’t be there today,’ said Fiona, ‘she told me she had a family christening to go to this afternoon. Come with us to see Mum, though.’
Monday 8th December 2008
Judith was awake early and had got to the office before Helen. The place was so tidy and she was up-to-date with her work so she opened the mail as she waited for the kettle to boil. There was the usual stuff, then a letter from Mrs. Henson advising her that she would no longer be needing her services due to the ‘disproportionate amount of work’ involved in dealing with her. Good riddance, she thought, then changed her mind. She was fed up with losing clients; she needed to keep them. She decided that a charm offe
nsive was needed. As she considered how to win Mrs. Henson round she opened another envelope from a very small business advising her that he would be doing his own book-keeping from now on and requesting that all of his documents be returned to him as soon as possible. Two people on one day; not good. Judith left the open mail and took her coffee through to her office to work on a plan to keep them.
Helen came through.
‘Morning Judith. Is everything alright?’
‘Yes, thanks, well no actually. Mrs. Henson is taking her business away and so is Lennie May. He’s a small builder and hates doing his own accounts. I don’t understand that. I’ll work on Mrs. Henson and get her to change her mind but I don’t know how I’ve upset Lennie.’
‘I’m sure I don’t know,’ said Helen.
‘I’m sure you don’t,’ replied Judith, ‘and I don’t expect you to. I need to get to the bottom of it though. Anything urgent for me to do today?’
‘I’ll ring Lennie,’ said Helen, ‘it might be easier for him to talk to someone he doesn’t know.’
Judith considered this for a moment. ‘OK, you ring Lennie and I’ll do Mrs. Henson. Let me know what he says. And make sure he knows he can talk to me if he wants to.’
Judith called Henson Electricals and spoke to Mrs. Henson’s son Jason. She arranged to call round later. He sounded quite friendly, she thought. She spent the rest of the morning writing an advertisement to go in the local paper to attract more business.
Jason called his mother.
‘Do you know why Judith Dillon wants to come and see me?’ he asked.
‘Probably because I am taking our business elsewhere. I don’t trust her any more.’
‘I think you could have consulted me on this. We’ve always used her ever since she set up. I’m not sacking her; you’ll have to come down and see her.’
‘It isn’t convenient today.’
‘It isn’t convenient for me either. If you don’t come down I’ll tell her to carry on.’
‘Really Jason, you are difficult sometimes.’
‘Mother it is you that is difficult sometimes, not me. If you insist on staying a part of our business, you must come and see your decisions through. She’s coming at two.’