Kate pursed her lips. ‘I think I can understand why. You didn’t want to upset me. Which makes me think it’s something bad. Is it?’
‘The trust deed leaves the house to Johnny Kowalski’s “closest living relative” rather than a named person, after either eighty years or Ngaire’s death.’
Kate grimaced. She’d adored her grandmother and Dan knew she still grieved for her loss. ‘Well they clearly didn’t know about Ngaire’s death. Which makes me wonder if these incompetent solicitors realise it’s nearing eighty years.’
‘I somehow doubt it,’ said Augi. ‘Or maybe, if they did, they’re trying to track down the nearest relative.’
‘It surely couldn’t be that hard.’
‘He had a brother. He’s dead now, of course, but that fact was easy enough to find.’
‘So…’ said Kate. ‘That suggests that the brother isn’t the closest relative.’ She scrunched her brow. ‘That sounds such an odd, unusual condition to include. I wonder why they phrased it like that.’
‘We don’t know. But I’m guessing it means there was some lack of knowledge. Either of the person’s identity or the name. They obviously decided that could be investigated at the end of the trust’s term.’
‘Of eighty years. I guess eighty years looks like an eternity away when the trust was initially set up. Unimaginable.’ She shrugged. ‘And maybe it was so far away that he, and the solicitors, simply didn’t care. Eighty years is a long time in anyone’s book.’
Augi and Dan exchanged looks. ‘Yes, except that particular clause — about the “closest living relative” was added in 1967. Still a long time later. But it does suggest something had happened at that time to make him request this change.’
‘I wonder what?’ mused Kate.
‘Probably only he could say. It may be something that we never find out,’ said Augi.
‘How old were you then?’ asked Dan.
‘I was five. It’s hard to imagine that while I was running wild on the beach outside MacLeod’s Cottage at five years old, a complete stranger was changing its future ownership.’ She shook her head.
‘The question is now, Mum,’ said Dan, ‘do you give Augustini permission to contact the relative who she identified on Ancestry? The descendant of Johnnie’s brother. His granddaughter.’
‘She’s the “closest living one”?’
‘It would seem so. Although, of course, we can’t be sure. But everything points to it being the case.’
Kate sighed, and rose and walked around the room, her hand trailing over the table. ‘Yes, I think it’s time to face up to things. I’m not waiting for a lawyer’s letter, or a knock at the door to spell an end to my time here.’
Augi nodded and stood up. ‘Right. I’ll get on to it this morning then.’
‘Thanks, Augustini,’ said Dan.
‘Yes, thanks for taking all this on for me. I do appreciate it. Especially when you refuse to take payment and aren’t a MacLeod.’
‘You’ve always made me feel like I’m an unofficial part of your family. And for that I’ll be eternally grateful.’ Augi didn’t wait for a reply but looked at Dan. ‘I’ll see you later?’
Dan nodded and rose. ‘Shall I pick you up?’ He glanced at Kate. ‘We’re seeing Uncle Hemi this afternoon. Moana and Mere arranged it.’
‘Wow! Progress on all fronts,’ said Kate.
‘We’ll do our best. I’ll see myself out.’ She grinned at Kate. ‘After all, I am an unofficial part of the family now.’
Kate high-fived Dan as the front door closed behind Augi. ‘Well done. You’ve brought a smile to that woman’s face I’ve been waiting to see for years.’
And she’d brought a smile to Dan’s face. He just hoped this afternoon’s visit to the marae wouldn’t bring any surprises to wipe them away.
Chapter Seventeen
Augi came out her front doorway carrying a bag of what looked to be books and hurried through the rain down the path toward the car. As usual the house was in shade. The large, ancient-looking plum tree arched over the house in an unruly way, its fruit pulling the branches down toward the spongy grass. At that moment a goods train thundered behind the short row of cottages.
Dan ground his teeth. He hated to see her here. Not that it was horrible, just not her.
