‘Yeah,’ Daniel admitted with a soft chuckle. ‘A little. But a sale’s a sale.’ He glanced at her. ‘It’s a step in the right direction, isn’t it? We’re actually doing this, Fern.’
She nodded, feeling the twinge of guilt in the pit of her stomach. ‘Yeah, it is,’ she agreed. ‘I’m nipping out for half an hour. Will you be okay on your own?’
He glanced up. ‘Of course. Going somewhere fun?’ he asked. ‘I thought we could get some more items online.’ Hepicked up his guitar and strummed a note.
Fern hesitated. She didn’t want to tell him the real reason for her trip just yet. ‘Just a few errands to run and journalist calls to make. I won’t be long, and don’t you dare touch that lemon drizzle cake whilst I’m gone.’ She grabbed her bag and stepped outside on to Anchor Way. She discovered she didn’t have to walk far, because Edgar Carmichael’s office was next door. Fern would have to time it just right so that Daniel didn’t spot her.
A faded sign hanging precariously from a rusty chain swayed over the duck-egg blue door that opened onto the stairwell leading up to Edgar’s office. She made sure Daniel couldn’t see her open the door, and followed the smell of coffee to the top of the stairs. She knocked and heard the scrape of a chair before the door swung open and she was greeted by a man in his late sixties dressed in a worn but neat suit, with salt-and-pepper hair that curled in an unruly way at the nape of his neck. His pale blue eyes, sharp and discerning, were half hidden behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.
‘Fern Talbot,’ she announced.
‘Matilda’s great-niece. I’ve been expecting you. Please come on in. It’s lovely to meet you,’ replied Edgar.
Fern stepped into the office and smiled, glancing around the room. Shelves sagged under the weight of thick legal volumes and dusty files. The large oak desk was the room’s centrepiece, its surface covered with papers, but still meticulously organised. To the left of the desk, a small window allowed slivers of the afternoon light to seep in. She shook his hand and took a seat across from him. ‘Thank you for seeing me at such short notice.’
‘Not at all,’ Edgar said, settling back in his chair. ‘She spoke about you on a number of occasions and was especially proud when she read your first article inSound and Fury.’
‘She read my article?’
‘She did. She wanted to reach out many times, but she was afraid that it might cause complications with the family.’
‘I didn’t even know she existed.’
‘That’s what she thought. She was a remarkable woman. Kind-hearted. She had a way of making people feel wanted, at home. She loved that shop. It’s a real part of this island.’
Fern smiled despite the lump forming in her throat. ‘She certainly left an impression on everyone.’
‘That she did. Always had an eye for the unusual. So, what can I do for you?’
Fern hesitated, then took a breath. ‘I need to know my options. I’ve inherited No. 17 Curiosity Lane, but according to the books it’s not made any money for a long time… and then there’s Daniel.’
Edgar nodded knowingly. ‘Ah, Daniel. Yes, I had a feeling this might be the topic you wanted to discuss.’
He pulled a folder from a drawer and opened it, running a finger down the page. ‘Now, Matilda was very fond of him. She made arrangements to ensure he wouldn’t be left out in the cold. While the shop and property belong to you legally, Daniel has what we call “sitting tenant rights”.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Meaning you can’t simply evict him without due cause. He has a right to stay, and he has a legal agreement with Matilda, which complicates things. A property with a sitting tenant may be worth less on the open market because the buyer can’t move in immediately or charge market rent.’
Fern exhaled sharply. ‘I’ve not seen anything in writing.’
‘I have a copy of their agreement here. Matilda asked me to keep hold of it.’ He slid a piece of paper across the desk.
Fern picked it up and looked it over. ‘There’s no end date on this. How long is this valid for?’
‘If you turn to the second page you’ll see… it’s valid indefinitely.’
Fern raised her eyebrows. ‘You’re saying Daniel can legally stay for as long as he wants?’
‘He can. A private landlord can offer a contractual tenancy that lasts for the tenant’s lifetime. It just needs to be clearly stated in the agreement.’ He pointed to the place in the document. ‘It’s carefully drafted to avoid legal loopholes or unintended consequences.’
‘Why would Matilda do that?’
‘She was very fond of him and knew he had no one left in the world to look out for him, and she wanted to make sure he had a roof over his head.’
Fern was perplexed. Why hadn’t Matilda just left Daniel the shop and the business? Then she wouldn’t be in this predicament.
‘Am I able to just put it up for sale?’
