Page 94 of Escape to the Country

They made their way to the bank and Tom was surprised to find himself standing at the side of a wide stream.

‘The River Ley,’ said Arthur. ‘We get a whole mile of it, thanks to the estate.’

Tom gazed out across the water. ‘Is it quite deep?’

‘Perhaps not so much during the summer months but still deep enough for some carp. Perhaps the odd barbel. Do you fish?’

‘Not for years,’ said Tom, smiling. ‘And certainly not in any setting as beautiful as this.’

‘Well, you’re welcome to have a go whilst you’re with us. I’ve got some old fishing stuff somewhere in the garages. I’ll get Sam to hunt it down.’

‘That’s very kind of you.’

Arthur shrugged his shoulders. ‘You’re a friend of Sam’s so that makes you family. By the way, are your own family from around here?’

Tom shook his head. ‘No.’ He paused before deciding to go on. ‘My parents didn’t want me so I grew up in foster homes. Nowhere near as pretty as this place unfortunately.’ He looked across the glittering water, soothed by its beauty.

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Arthur, softly. ‘That must have been difficult for you.’

‘Yeah,’ said Tom. Difficult was an understatement. ‘I’m afraid I wasn’t very well behaved.’

‘Hardly surprising.’

‘But in a way, it made me who I am as well,’ said Tom.

Arthur nodded. ‘I agree, my boy.’

‘Have I shocked you?’ asked Tom.

‘You know,’ said Arthur. ‘Nothing shocks you if you’d lived in Cranley all your life like I’ve done. It’s a small village and yet it’s as if it’s the whole world encompassed in a few avenues and lanes. We’ve had it all. Affairs, divorces, heartbreak and even the odd murder.’

Tom was amazed.

‘Not, I might hasten to add, in my lifetime,’ said Arthur, with a soft smile before checking his watch. ‘Mind you, that record may yet be broken if we don’t head back in time for lunch. My future granddaughter-in-law is liable to worry about me these days.’

They slowly made their way back to the house.

‘Was there something you wanted to ask me about?’ asked Arthur.

Tom drew out the letter from his pocket. ‘I just wanted some advice really about my gran. She is, was, my only true relative. She passed away six months ago.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

Tom gulped away the pain. ‘It’s been, well, it’s been pretty tough. Anyway, she left everything to me in the will. Not that there’s much to be had, just her flat. Probate is being granted at the minute, but I just wanted to ask what happens when someone challenges a will. My dad wants his share now. He hasn’t been around for years, didn’t want to know or see either of us and yet he expects the full estate to pass to him.’

Arthur stopped and nodded, deep in thought. ‘I take it that the will was done properly?’

‘Yes. Gran had a local solicitor draw it up.’

‘Then I can’t foresee any problems. There may be a short delay whilst your father’s claim is being dealt with, but I would hope that the full weight of the law would fall onto your side.’

‘Right. Well, thanks.’ Tom looked down at the letter once more.

‘You know, I’ve used Bill Fullwright for years,’ said Arthur. ‘He’s a local solicitor. Trust him implicitly. When we get back to the house, I’ll pass you the details and give him a call. He’ll see you right.’

‘Thank you,’ said Tom. ‘That’s been a real help.’

Arthur smiled but Tom was horrified to see him trip over a stick that Dylan had dropped and lose his footing. He just about managed to grab Arthur’s arm and keep him upright.