October 2011
There I am again, into the sitting room, family all around awaiting if uncle or cousin even Granddad has left them anything. They have already been to the house searching for money hidden under the carpet or out in the garden. One even came in a van to collect the furniture promised him by uncle. Maud was watchful though as uncle had promised her the piano and the desk. Harry already had his eye on the desk as it possibly had hidden drawers somewhere and he was prepared to take it apart.
Young Matthew was appalled at their greed, weren't they sorry granddad had gone; he had been very good to the child. Matt loved woodwork and granddad always encouraged him to learn how to use the tools and make things. What would he do now that the old man had gone?
He hadn't had a great childhood, with his dad always too busy to take him out and spend time with him. Mum was OK but she wasn't interested in outdoor things like sport or just talking. Granddad had plenty of tales to tell him when they were working together. Phoebe was saying 'I am sure dad left me mum's jewellery, I always meant to come more often to see him and I was going to offer to have him home to live with us but didn't get the chance as he was taken.'
Cousin Arthur wandered alone upstairs and down, 'Where did old people hide their cash?' He rolled back the carpets checking the floorboards, turned over the mattresses even looked in the commode.
I could never get over folks, they say where there's a will there's relations. I am going to have some fun with this crowd though.
I never thought that when I studied for all the years, to hopefully be a barrister. At eighteen when I started. I really saw myself with wig and gown talking to the jury, pleading the case of the damsel in distress; I never thought I would end up dealing with 'The last will and testament of Bill Bloggs' or anyone. But the war put paid to my studies and by the time it was all over I had lost all my enthusiasm and things had changed. I couldn't go back to studying for years with of all the young fresh chaps coming in, so I settled for this.
Well back to now, I like to make such a greedy family suffer so keep them waiting as long as possible. 'Are we all here?'I ask, 'Then we will begin. It's very short: I, George Albert Absolum of sound mind leave all my tools to my grandson Matthew Davidson and all my money and assets to the Battersea Dogs home . . .'
My goodness, after a spell of open mouths the eruption of sound was dynamic,
'What?' said Arthur, 'They are not getting away with this! He's never 'ad a dog!'
'Well I do remember a little poodle mum had when I was small.' said Phoebe, 'Mum thought the world of it and we used to take it for walks . . . 'Oh shut up!' said Arthur, This is ridiculous; do you know about this Mathew?'
'Don't start shouting at my son.' said Maud.
'Well he's done alright; those tools must be worth a bob or two!'
Back and forth went the accusations and jealousies and I just packed my briefcase and left them to their happy memories of their beloved relative . . .