Page 7 of Enemies Under One Roof

Peachey cleared his throat. ‘Let’s get started, shall we?’ Well into his eighties, he sat opposite in a wingback chair, as it seemed none of them could bring themselves to use Ruby’s desk.

She and Ethan nodded.

‘I’ve known Ruby all my life. I was honoured when she asked me to manage her legal affairs. She was clear about her wishes. She wanted you both to be given and to have read her letters, prior to the reading of her Will. Which has occurred. Now, on to her Will.’

Peachey put on a pair of steel-rimmed glasses, picked up a manila folder from the side table and opened it.

‘I, Ruby Alice Mathers, give and bequest to Ethan James Suerte and Annie Elizabeth Carson, known professionally as Ivy Flame, my estate of WillowGlen and its contents, to them both in equal shares, after the following lump sums payments and goods are given to the persons named below.’ Peachey proceeded to list out staff members and friends who’d receive money and/or artefacts from the estate.

Whatever kernel of hope Ivy had clung to that Ruby had changed her mind after writing the letter withered to dust.

She glanced at Ethan, his shoulders rigid, a muscle working at his jaw.

‘There’s nothing about her reasons?’ Ivy asked with a touch of desperation.

‘No.’ Peachey took off his glasses. ‘Ruby told me what she planned to do. I advised against it. It should all be in the Will, but Ruby knew her mind and ultimately trusted you both.’

Ethan shifted but remained silent.

‘Will there be notifications in the papers? I don’t want the press…anyone…’ she shuddered, imagining the absolute free-for-all that would occur ‘…to know about this. I don’t want to turn this into a circus.’

‘There will be legal notification, as is standard procedure. A notice must go into the paper. No names will be mentioned. And there won’t be any leaks from my office,’ Peachey assured.

‘Nor from mine,’ said Ethan with emphasis, and speared her with a look, leaving her in no doubt, in case she’d ever forget, that he was referring to what had happened with the press eight years ago.

‘I’ll leave you both a copy, and I suggest you get your legal representatives to look over it. Any questions—you have my details. In the meantime, I’ll start the necessary procedures.’

They all stood, and after shaking their hands, Peachey left.

Ivy, in frantic need of distance from Ethan, made for the desk and ran her fingertips over the mahogany wood. ‘She really did it—put us in her Will. I’m wondering if your letter is exactly the same as mine. Did yours give any specifics on what she’s expecting?’

Ethan stood and moved to the fireplace, and after giving Mr Tabitha a quick pat, he positioned himself with his back to the grate, mirroring his stance of yesterday. ‘None. Yours?’

‘Not really, other than she wanted us to stay here for six weeks, and she believed in me…in us.’ A lump formed in her throat, and she blinked furiously to hold back the threatening tears at Ruby’s warmth, love and belief in her.

She glanced down at the photos on the desk’s gleaming surface, a selection of Ruby’s favourite people, including her and Ethan, and one of Ruby with Ivy’s grandmother, Joan. In the centre was a large silver-framed photo of Ruby and My Don—the name Ruby had had for her fiancé, who’d died when they were both twenty—and in Ruby’s words she’d never looked at another man since. So much love, so much longing. Ivy’s throat thickened and suddenly inspiration hit.

‘I’ll read out my letter. Please let me know if yours is any different. It might help.’ She desperately needed insight into Ruby’s motives, because she’d read it at least twenty times and still remained clueless. It wouldn’t be long before she knew it word for word, but this was no script to be memorised—this was real.

His lips flattened before he abruptly nodded.

Carefully removing the letter from her pocket, she struggled to stop it from shaking and leant back against the desk for support.

‘My Darling Ethan and Annie, I’m no longer here otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this, but please never forget the long, happy life I’ve had and that now, I’ll finally be reunited with My Don.’

Ivy’s lips trembled in time with her hand, and she did the breathing exercise that got her through red carpet events and anytime unwanted attention was fixed on her. Gradually, the impact of the letter lessened and she could continue.

‘Ethan, watching you grow into the man you’ve become has been one of my greatest joys and I couldn’t be prouder of you. You’re the son and grandson I never had, and you’ve filled a void in my life that’s brought me so much love and happiness.’

Ivy swallowed. If she’d ever doubted—which she hadn’t—how much Ruby had loved Ethan, this letter dispelled it.

‘Annie, you are my dearest friend’s cherished granddaughter, but that’s not the reason I’m doing what I’m doing—not even close. It’s because of the capable, remarkable, loving person you are and how you’ve touched my heart in a way no one else could.’

She bit the inside of her cheek so hard she was surprised it didn’t bleed and took another deep breath.

‘What I’m writing to tell you will be a surprise, a shock even, because I’ve left my beloved WillowGlen to both of you.

‘Yes! Really! Please don’t think I’m unaware of the turmoil this will cause, but it’s not designed to harm. Nothing could be further from my reasoning. You see, I trust you both emphatically, which is why I want the two of you, together, to decide the fate of WillowGlen.