Read Online The Bell Ringers by Henry Porter - Free Book Online

the exodus from the church. When he reached the table he wiped his brow theatrically with the back of one hand and offered theother to her. ‘Miss Lockhart? I’m Hugh Russell of Russell, Spring & Co., David Eyam’s lawyer.’
    She nodded. ‘Actually, it’s Mrs, but I have given up making the point. Call me Kate.’
    â€˜Oh, you’re married – I hadn’t realised.’
    â€˜Was – my husband has been dead for nearly a decade.’
    â€˜Ah, I see.’ He looked embarrassed.
    She asked him to sit and he began to explain that Russell, Spring & Co. had acted for Eyam since he’d purchased Dove Cottage.
    â€˜I am so glad that I’ve managed to catch you before you left High Castle,’ he said, wrinkling his nose in an odd way. ‘I found your photo on the internet but then missed you at the funeral. Mrs Kidd said that she had seen you slip in here.’
    â€˜Ah, yes, Mrs Kidd.’
    â€˜Yes, there’s not much that escapes her notice,’ he said and cleared his throat. ‘You may prefer to do this in my offices at a more convenient time, but if it would be of help I can tell you now the substance of what I have to say.’
    Kate opened her hands. ‘Please do.’
    â€˜I don’t know much about your relationship with David Eyam, but I’m assuming you were close.’
    â€˜We were, yes, but our jobs were on different continents and we saw little of each other over the last couple of years. Close but apart.’
    â€˜You work for Calvert-Mayne in New York. That’s a famous outfit – you must be damned good at your job.’ His face assumed a professional cast. ‘All this must be very distressing for you – I mean the circumstances, Kate – if I may, losing such a close friend in that awful manner.’ He paused. ‘Now, this is going to be a shock to you. It certainly would be to me.’ He stopped again to give her time, and nodded to ask if it was all right to continue.
    She revolved her hand and smiled. ‘Please go on.’
    â€˜I have to tell you that you are the main beneficiary of David Eyam’s will. I could have informed you by letter but he wanted me to give you the news personally – he was most insistent on that point.’
    She put down her cup. ‘Left me everything! Good Lord! You can’t be serious.’
    â€˜I am. His estate comprises a house – Dove Cottage – a flat in London, which is currently rented out on a short lease, a car and all his shares and savings. He’s made one or two big bequests to local charities and so forth, but essentially you are his main heir. The estate is worth well over three and a half million pounds. And I should tell you that the savings and cash will very adequately cover the inheritance tax if you are minded to retain the property.’
    She sat back. ‘I’m astonished.’
    â€˜I can well understand that, but I hope you feel that this news is some consolation in what I know will have been a very sad day for you. I have his will here and a letter addressed to you.’ He unzipped a leather document case and took out two envelopes, which he placed between them on the table. ‘There are also some larger documents, which are in the safe at my offices. Perhaps you’d care to drop by this afternoon and pick them up and we can begin on the paperwork. There’s quite a lot to go through.’
    â€˜When did he make this will?’ she asked eventually.
    â€˜Let me think. September or late August. About six months ago: it was after he had had some . . .’ He stopped and frowned.
    â€˜What?’ she said, leaning forward slightly.
    â€˜I believe he received some worrying news about his health, though I am not sure of its precise nature. He intimated that he had been told to get his affairs in order. There was hope but he thought it was best to be on the safe side.’
    That explained why