by Graham Adams
‘Mrs Monks, may I respectfully request that you bring certain papers with you to the meeting?’
‘What are they?’ Ellie asked.
‘Your birth certificate, your marriage certificate and some proof of address, like a bank statement or utility bill. I trust this will not cause you a problem Mrs Monks.’
‘No problem. However as you also are strangers to me, I would like to bring along a close friend, as my husband is currently in Belfast and cannot accompany me.’
‘Can I call you back on that Mrs Monks as I don’t have authority to grant that request? I do apologise.’ Ellie gave him her mobile number and he promised to ring back within the hour. While she waited for him to call back, she rang Rowena and got her agreement to go with her.
It was Wednesday morning, and Ellie was turning into Rowena’s shop car parking space. It was only a few weeks since she had been to visit her friend. In that time, so much had happened to her. What with the stone, the necklace and the beautiful clasp that she had made, and now this! When Jameson had rung back with his approval for Rowena to accompany her, Ellie had taken the opportunity to ask him a question.
‘Couldn’t you have sent all this in the post, surely it’s not such a big deal that we have to meet is it?’
‘Mrs Monks, believe me, if I could deal with this by post, I most surely would, but this is no ordinary inheritance. In my view, Mrs Monks, this is a substantial one. I am looking forward to meeting you both on Wednesday, and all will be revealed to you then.’
Ellie knew that Rowena was the best person she could have possibly wished for to accompany her on this. She was cool-headed and sensible, and she would keep her feet on the ground. At this moment however, her mind was racing with so many questions. She unconsciously felt the stone around her neck as she walked to Rowena’s shop, and suddenly her self-confidence was boosted, she straightened her back and walked in.
They arrived at the Red Lion on Milford Street, and walked through the archway into the courtyard. An American hotel group owns the hotel, but obviously once it was a prominent coaching house dating back several hundred years. As she looked back to the archway they had passed under, she could imagine a gold and black mail coach and four thundering under it, on their way to London. The archway itself was quite high and she imagined that she could hear the echo of the post horn blaring out as they entered the Milford Street.
The courtyard was tastefully furnished with tables and comfortable chairs on top of old flagstones. They were almost an hour early so they sat at one of the tables and a waiter brought them coffee. Ellie fumbled with her purse, but the waiter waved his hand.
‘You are Mrs Monks aren’t you?’ Ellie nodded at him. ‘A Mr Jameson has instructed me to offer you anything from the menu, madam. I believe you have an appointment at eleven, your meeting room is over there.’ He pointed to a door to the left.
‘Would you like something Ro?’ Ellie asked.
She shook her head. ‘Coffee’s fine.’
Ellie had time to explain the last conversation with Mr Jamieson particularly about the size of the inheritance. As usual Rowena did her best to keep her excitement to herself so as not to make Ellie lose her calmness. She knew that meeting with lawyers under any circumstances is a daunting prospect for anyone.
A youngish man, say about twenty-five, was standing at the doorway, indicated by the waiter earlier. He was waving at them to try and get their attention. Rowena tapped Ellie’s arm, very gently so as not to alarm her. Ellie turned her head, and she knew immediately who it was. They left their coffee half drunk and walked over to him. He looked at them as they approached him. One was a tall, dark olive skinned woman in a full-length maroon coat, and the other was two to three inches shorter, with shoulder length, wavy blonde hair, in a three quarter length grey overcoat with black velvet collar. Both of them were stunning, he thought to himself.
‘Mrs Monks?’ Reaching out to shake her hand, ‘and Ms Ffitch, I trust I have guessed correctly?’
As he ushered them into a formal but warm meeting room, he carefully pointed to the chairs for them to sit at. On the table in front of them were pens and a note pad for them to take notes if they wished.
’May we dispense with the formal names Mrs Monks, if that is acceptable to you? I feel that it helps in these circumstances.’ They both nodded their approval. ‘My name is Clive.’
‘This is Rowena, please call me Ellie’. She gave him a warm smile, and the tension was gone.
‘We have a good amount of space on the table, so I can lay out all the relevant papers for your perusal. Do you have the paperwork that we asked for, when we talked on Monday, Mrs...Sorry Ellie?’
Ellie quickly zipped open the briefcase that she had taken from Gary’s wardrobe and passed him the proof documents. Clive quickly scanned them and smiled.
‘Thank you all is fine.’ There was a small photocopier in the room, so he quickly copied everything, gave them back to her, and placed the copies in his large case.
He took out a large manila folder bound in red silk and started to read to them.
‘This is the last will and testament of Miss Eloise Mary McBride’ He read out in the usual legal jargon that Ellie was the main beneficiary of the will, apart from the usual small bequests to some societies and charities that she favoured. Then he came to the crux of the will. ‘And to Eloise Mary Mcbride, I bequeath the full deeds of The Breakwaters, Southbourne Overcliffe Drive Bournemouth and the balance of any other properties and cash at the time this will and testament is activated’
‘Ellie! Are you alright love?’ Rowena held her hand tightly as she was just staring at the ceiling. She heard the words, but they hadn’t gone in.
‘Clive, please explain to us the extent of the other properties apart from the house.’ Rowena took charge whilst Ellie was staring into space.
‘I think that we should take a break, if that’s alright with you’ Clive picked up the phone and the waiter quickly appeared with some coffee and biscuits.
Clive rose out of his chair and began to pour out the coffee for them both. He was very aware that this news was more shocking to Ellie than he had imagined. Rowena put her arm around her friend, comforting her.
‘Clive, did you say that the person who has left me this has got my name?’ Unconsciously she pulls out the stone and holds it for a moment. Clive, standing right next to her, sees the beautiful chain held together by the head of a snake with two bright red eyes. Hoping to lighten the atmosphere that pervades over the room he asks,
’Ellie, that is the most stunning piece of jewellery that I have ever seen, it’s a snake chain isn’t it?’
‘It’s her Protector Clive’ Rowena said.
‘What do you mean?’ Ellie looked at her puzzled.
‘Sorry Ellie, I don’t know what I mean,’ Ellie watched Rowena suck in her bottom lip and she seemed a bit nervous about what she had said.
Ellie smiled back at Clive and nodded at him. ‘Let’s get on with it, I’m OK now, but please take it slowly.’
Clive could not explain the question about the name on the will being the same as hers, but he was successful in detailing what the rest of the will entailed. She was to receive just over one hundred thousand pounds in cash, on top of the property, which he told her was not a house, as she had thought.
They declined lunch, and they both thanked him for his efforts. Ellie gave him a hug, not the done thing to a lawyer but Clive enjoyed it. He looked a little embarrassed with his face a little flushed. He handed over another manila folder, which was quite full and bound in the red silk again.
‘All you need to know is in here Ellie, all the details of the property you are inheriting. Off the record, this whole inheritance is subject to the usual taxes, and my advice is to get a reputable financial advisor, but remember that their advice is not free.’
‘My husband has contacts in that area Clive, I’ll speak to him about that. What about your firm’s charges?’ Ellie asked him.
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br /> ‘They have been taken care of Ellie, so you need not worry about that. Finally, I have been instructed to let you know that Mr Macduff wishes to meet you in the next three weeks when he wants to be available to you for any questions you may have. This offer is quite free of course.’
With the folder securely in the briefcase, they walked hand in hand out into the bright light of Milford Street.
‘Rowena, you are the best friend that I have ever had. I really don’t know how I would have got through this morning.’
They decided to walk back to Rowena’s shop, which she had closed for the day, but on the way Rowena came up with an idea.
‘Look Ellie, Bournemouth isn’t too far away, why don’t we go over there now, I know a little cafe on the cliff top called Cafe Viva, or something like that, and we can sit down and have a little lunch before we explore the area.’
‘Great idea, that’s just what I want to do too! My treat for lunch, and I’ll drive.’ Ellie looked excited.
Southbourne was only forty minutes from Salisbury, and half of that is a dual carriageway. It certainly was a good choice, free parking next to the cafe, only two of the tables occupied. The table that they chose overlooked the sea. As they looked to the right; they saw the cliffs of Old Harry Rocks. As they looked to the left, they could see Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight.
They chose the daily specials on the board, Mushroom Soup followed by Macaroni Cheese. As they drank their cup of tea afterwards, Ellie pulled out the papers that Clive had left her. Right at the top were the ones relating to The Breakwaters. The first couple of sheets related to the legal side of things, but the third sheet was an Estate Agent’s description, including photos.
The Breakwaters, Southbourne Overcliffe Drive, was written under the company name Bullock & Lees ‘Southbourne’s leading Estate Agents’. The blurb continued ‘Situated on the eastern end of this sought-after road, a prestigious apartment block tastefully managed by ourselves, and maintained to the very highest specification’
The pictures were amazing, three floors, each floor had a balcony circling the whole building, with its own car park in the front of it. Rowena knew that not every picture on an Estate Agent’s brochure depicted the real thing but this looked amazing to her.
‘Let’s go and find it.’ Rowena said.
They drove eastwards towards Hengistbury, passing other apartment blocks and large houses, none of them looking cheap. They approached a small mini roundabout, the first exit seemed to direct them into the shopping area, and the next pointed along the cliff top with a sign marked ‘To Hengistbury’
The road followed the cliff edge, the only properties were to the left for a good quarter of a mile, and Rowena told Ellie to slow down. They passed a very large house on the right, and then continued for a short while, and there it was, the only other building on that side of the road. Ellie pulled up just before the car park entrance, it was huge.
‘Ro, this can’t be it, can it?’ Ellie asked her friend. There was a low brick wall each side of the car park entrance, and built into the wall there was a sandstone plaque which read: ‘THE BREAKWATERS’, in very large letters.
There was a fair amount of land surrounding the property which was grassed and looked like public access, so they left the car on the road, and walked towards the cliff edge to a fence, put up for safety, and looked up at the block. It looked quite a new building, and the external verandas were big, large enough for tables and chairs, and benefitting from a glass windbreak.
Ellie looked at Rowena, and suddenly burst into tears. She sobbed loudly, loud enough to catch the notice of passersby, although no one looked out of their windows. As Rowena held her close, she could feel Ellie shaking with emotion.
‘Let’s get back to the car Ellie.’
As they got into the little Polo and closed the doors, Ellie was still sobbing, Rowena found a box of Kleenex and passed some over without speaking. Then she whispered to Ellie, ‘are you ready to go back now?’
‘I’ll be OK in a minute Ro, it’s just been all too much for me to take in. Nobody inherits a place like this do they Ro? I thought it might be an old run down block of flats, needing lots of money needing to be spent on it’ Ellie started to sob again like a little girl.
‘Look, we’re going home, come back again when you’ve taken it all in.’ Rowena held her hand.
‘No. I want to know if this is a dream and I’m going to wake up with it all gone.’ Ellie opened the folder on her lap, found the phone number of the agent and quickly rang it on her mobile.
‘Ruddock and Partners, can I help you?’ A cultured voice answered.
‘My name in Eloise Monks, I wish to speak to someone about the Breakwaters.’
‘Mrs Monks, I have been told to expect your call by Mr Jameson of Vizards, is there anything I can do for you, my name is Brian Mulholland?’
‘Are you free to meet me at the moment Brian?’
‘Yes I am, Mrs Monks. Would you like to come to my office?’
‘I am parked on the road outside Breakwaters at the moment, can you come here?’
‘I will be with you in fifteen minutes, and please drive into the car park in front of the apartment block and I will join you there. If anyone asks what you are doing there, just tell them you are viewing and that I am on my way.’
‘I am in a black Polo’ Ellie said and terminated the call.
Rowena looked into Ellie’s eyes and marvelled at her courage, noticing that Ellie had been clutching her stone again, as she spoke to the estate agent. Only a few minutes before had she witnessed Ellie in complete helplessness!
Less than ten minutes had elapsed when a red Mini Cooper slid alongside them. Ellie jumped out of the Polo, and Rowena got out more slowly.
‘Mrs Monks, what a great pleasure it is to meet you.’ Brian held out his hand to her.
Ellie shook his hand. ‘This is my friend, Rowena. I’m very keen that she is party to all our conversations and that she accompanies us throughout.’
‘Yes of course Mrs Monks, I am at your service. Would you please follow me?’ As they both followed him, Rowena squeezed Ellie’s hand as if to say how proud she was of her.
From a substantial ring of keys, he unlocked the front door, a very wide solid one that opened noiselessly. The hallway was oak panelled from floor to ceiling, and the floor covering was a heavy pile blue Wilton. Brian pointed to a door at the far end of the room, mahogany coloured with a bronze coloured plaque on it marked ’PRIVATE’
‘We use this room should we need to interview any prospective new tenants or of course show them around.’
As they were seated around a large heavy table, Ellie spoke to Brian in a hushed tone.’ Now Brian, please answer me this question before we go any further. ‘Are you telling me that the whole of this building now belongs to me?’
‘Yes Mrs Monks, the whole of this apartment block is now in your ownership. Also if I may, I would like to show you something else.’
They came out of the room and went through the next mahogany door marked ‘West Wing Lift’. He closed the sliding doors inside the lift and they noticed that there were three buttons to press ‘G, 1, and 2, and above that a keyhole with a number three against it. He took a key from the ring and pushed it in. As soon as he turned the key, the lift began to rise.
‘This is your private apartment, Mrs Monks, with personal access only.’ Brian said.
As they came out of the lift on to the thickly carpeted hallway, they could smell the newness and yet it was over ten years old.
‘It is my responsibility to ensure everything on this floor is kept pristine, although no one has ever lived here.’ He opened the door into a three-bedroom apartment tastefully furnished with lots of room. The views over the western part of the bay were breathtaking. The lounge had a large sliding window opening on to the balcony. There was the usual outside furniture but she noticed that there were also plants thriving here. In the fully equipped kitchen, the applia
nces shone in the light, just waiting to be used.
‘It looks as though someone has stepped outside for a moment, to allow us to look around.’ Rowena gasped.
‘Is the apartment building fully occupied Brian?’ Ellie asked, as she had neither seen anyone no heard anything.
‘Yes it is Mrs Monks, although some of your tenants may be abroad at the moment, as they often winter in warmer climates. But even if it were fully occupied, it is so designed that the sound proofing is of the highest standard, and would be just as quiet.’ Brian answered.
Rowena looked at Ellie and smiled at her. ‘This is just perfect Ellie, don’t you think?’
Bursting to scream with excitement but keeping a lid on it, Ellie turned again to Brian. ‘I have one more question for you Brian, for the moment. I see that you have come with keys to the property, I don’t suppose you have a set for the owner?’