‘I’m OK, but I just want you to know how much I appreciate your support just now.’
‘Don’t be daft. I wouldn’t leave you to do something like this on your own. You need a chum. Did you tell your mother?’
‘I did and she’s all set to come down if we need her, but I think I’d rather do without her really. Itwouldbe nicer if she came when we knew what was what. She’d only quarrel with Roy.’
‘And you and me are here to do that!’ said Issi. She looked at her watch. ‘We’re a bit early for the solicitor but we can wait if he’s not ready.’
‘Good idea. We can read the ancient magazines; it’ll calm me down.’
In the event, they were shown straight in and Fran was annoyed to discover that Roy was already in the solicitor’s office.
‘I hope it’s all right me bringing Issi,’ said Fran as soon as the hellos had been said.
‘Of course I’ll go out if anything confidential is being discussed,’ Issi added.
‘No worries,’ said Roy, sounding displeased. ‘We can’t find out a damn thing until after the funeral, anyway.’
‘Oh!’ said Fran, who hadn’t taken in that a meeting with the solicitor might have been so momentous. ‘Well, that’s OK. I brought you these.’ She handed over a foil package to Mr Addison. ‘Brownies,’ she added.
‘That’s very kind!’ said Mr Addison. ‘And coffee is on its way.’
He seemed pleased to see both the brownies and Fran and Issi. Fran wondered if Roy had been being difficult. Mr Addison opened up the foil package.
‘Can I have one of them?’ demanded Roy.
‘No,’ said Fran and Issi.
MrAddison put his head on one side. ‘That seems a little ungenerous.’
‘Oh, go on then,’ said Fran, sighing.
‘But wait for the coffee!’ said Issi.
Luckily for Roy, a young woman came in with a tray of coffee just at that moment.
A cup of tea and two brownies later, Mr Addison made sure everyone was paying attention. ‘I’m afraid I’m not in a position to tell you anything now. Mrs Flowers has been very clear and she wishes her will to be read after the funeral.’
‘Like in a film!’ said Issi.
‘Exactly,’ Mr Addison agreed. ‘She has – had – a sense of the dramatic. She wants everyone gathered together, in this office. She’s also said who is to be present.’
‘Can I bring Issi? I think I may need some support.’
Mr Addison referred to a list. ‘Is this Miss Isobel Sharpe?’
Fran and Issi both nodded.
‘In which case, yes.’
‘That’s very nice of Amy to realise I’d need a friend!’ said Fran.
‘Actually, I think Miss Sharpe is invited because of her connection with Mr Christopher Brown, the herdsman?’
‘That’s Tig, yes,’ said Issi.
‘I don’t think I knew what his real name was,’ said Fran, surprised and a little embarrassed.
‘Sowho else is coming?’ asked Roy.
