CHAPTER 30 - IT TIGHTENS BUT NOT THE WAY THEY WANT

MICHAEL

Before I can react, the front door opening brings in Mel. She stalks into the lounge without acknowledging us.

Lindsay murmurs. “Kitchen, we need to regroup.”

“And while you do that, please make coffee and bring cookies. They’re in the cupboard above the coffee maker!” George snipes, then shuts the door on their sniggering.

“Manning should’ve come with us!” I fume, leaning against the counter. “Any idea why the hell Ms Hamburger is here?”

“No, but I love the Perry Mason reference! Whatever the reason, we're definitely going to discuss the pallbearer ridiculousness!”

“Yes, and…”

“Hi, Michael, Lindsay…” We turn in surprise at Uncle Vic.

“…I thought you were taking Emmett to his hot date.” I move aside, gesturing at the tray. “Well since you’re here, you can give us a hand with the coffee…” I trail off at his cold expression. “...what? It will be quicker if you help.”

“Flick took him. And you’re not asking me to help, you’re asking me to ‘do’, whilst you hover like Lord Fauntleroy and Lady Bountiful.” He grouses. “The quicker you two get your shit together and be respectful, the easier your life is going to get going forward!” 

VIC

I pull the door ‘closed’ and wait, I’d been watching them since Mel joined the others, they hadn’t noticed. They’re silent for a few seconds before starting to set up the tray. I roll my eyes as they carp and complain about the unfairness of everything and everyone; then Lindsay says something that has me fuming and concerned.

HALF AN HOUR LATER

CLAUDIA

Oh how I despise them! Brian and Justin were set to tell them that they are together, but now Vic's told us that Lindsay's been sniffing around Abernorth & Richards as well as buying shares in other businesses that Ronald and Brian have interest in. George said to wait a bit longer, to see what this new game is. Yes, in society she’s a minnow, but she’s one with a mean streak, an enabler in Michael, plus a big mouth…a trifecta of mendacity!

“Claudia? Are you okay?” Her vinegary tone curdles my stomach. “We seem to have lost you for a second.”

“I was thinking of Ronald, and…” My guts clench at her sniffles and him patting her hand.  “…how much he was looking forward to the official announcement.”

“What announcement?" Justin frowns. 

I clear my throat. “You see, as well as you being the guest of honour at the dinner, he and Sidney had finalised the details making you the inaugural artist in residence for the Asteridge-Peterson Foundation and…”

“...why didn’t Sidney tell us about this, Justy?” Michael gripes.

“Sidney respected Ronald’s wish to tell him. He died before he could, so he has deferred to George. And to be clear, the ‘us’ doesn’t include you.” Mel states. “The people involved will be Claudia, Sidney, myself, Carl, George, Justin and Debs…”

“...Ma? Why is she involved and not me?” He demands.

“Because she’s representing Jennifer and…”

“...so it stands to reason that I represent our father.” Lindsay declares.

“It does, but you won’t.” George smirks. “Brian will with Ted’s assistance.”

She trembles with the effort of putting, not slamming, her cup down. “Brian, you can’t countenance this sidelining?”

“That was your father’s wish. Unlike you, Brian loves and respects Ronald.” George stands and will honour his wishes. “Brian and Justin, I know this is a lot to take in, so take a minute or so. We will discuss the rest of Ronald’s business will with…”

“…what business will?” She demands. “Why wasn’t I told about this?!”

“His attorney only released it to the estate last night.” I smile. “As per Ronald’s instructions, the only people to have oversight of it are the executors and beneficiaries.”

LINDSAY

“..obviously I’m a beneficiary…”

“...no, you’re not.” Uncle George states coldly. “We’ll have to wait for Carl and Debs to return tomorrow to finalise details, and…”

“....how long has whatever their doing been going on?” Michael demands.

“They got together after Daphne set them up and…”  Vic drawls. “.. they're having rampant and consensual sex in between dinners, movies, walks and chats about the weather.”

“What?!” Michael explodes. “How could you let her do that, Justy?!”

“Now, now, let’s everyone calm down…” I placate. “...we’ve all had a shock, so what we will do is go to our hotel…”

“...for once a good idea from you!” Mel snarks. “Where are you staying?”

“Hang on; why can’t you stay in your apartment, Michael?” Brian frowns. 

“We want to be close to our best friends, and…”

“...and what about the store?” Brian rudely interjects 

Michael slurping his coffee makes my teeth clench. “There’s enough surplus, so don’t worry about my financial affairs.”

UNCLE VIC

“I wasn’t.” He states. “You can only coast so much on it, and that was your last injection, so you need to get cash flowing in." 

He looks so unbothered that I want to slap his arrogant face and move the cookies out of reach, he's had four already. “When was the last time you opened up?” 

“It's been a few weeks, admittedly.  What with all the travelling…”

“…it’s been open during his absence and doing very well.” Mel smirks. 

“Well that’s  a nice surprise isn't it Michael?” Lindsay simpers.

“Hmmm.” He grunts reaching for another cookie. "Though it would’ve saved me some worry if you’d told me you had Mel doing that.”

“What worry?” Geoge scoffs. “Just now you were airily declaring your financial fluidity.” Whatever Michael was going to say, the glance from Lindsay silences him. “Vic, please, can you take them to his apartment; and Mel, do you want to meet with them before or after we talk about Ronald’s wishes?”

“After. The three of us need to talk about what will happen with the store going forward.” She moves the cookies away from him. “Get plenty of rest, I need you on top of your game. We’ve got to talk about duties, hours and all sorts. Okay, Michael will have to guide you, Lindsay, around doing a day’s work, but you look like a quick study when you need to be, and trust me, you need to be.”

“Why are you delegating this to her, Brian?” Mchael bleats. “What are you doing that takes up so much…apart from organising the dinner and Ronald’s funeral obviously!”

“I’m not, as you so callously put it, delegating this to Mel…” Brian grips his glass. “…she’s taken over my partnership with you in the store.”

“When did that happen?!” He cavills, both of them going sheet white. “You never said.”

“We said, you didn’t read. Again. Now let’s get going.” George retorts, opening the door. They stumble out in shocked silence. “And Vic and I are  staying overnight, Michael, so tomorrow is not a waste of Mel’s time!”