Daffodils in March

by Clare Revell

  “What?” David slouched further in the chair and his eyes narrowed. Then he sucked in a deep breath and lowered his voice. “She didn’t say anything to me about changing it. Do you mean, she added a codicil?”

  “No.” The solicitor shook his head. “She came to see me last month and had a completely new will drawn up.”

  “She can’t have.”

  Eden sighed. “David, just let the man speak, after all that is why we’re here.”

  “Well, it’s why I am,” he muttered.

  Mr. Watts rolled his eyes. “As I said, Mrs. Jameson came to see me last month and had a new will drawn up. It’s all been done correctly and filed with the right people.” He began reading. “I, Hanna Victoria Jameson, being of sound mind, hereby request my assets be divided as follows. My share of the house, twenty-four Bucklers Drive, is to go to my sister-in-law, Eden Jameson, along with the sum of ten thousand pounds.”

  David glowered. “That’s not what we agreed.”

  The solicitor continued. “She has put twenty thousand pounds into a trust fund for her son, Marc, to be held safe until he reaches his twenty-first birthday. The rest of her money and assets she’s left to you, Mr. Painter, as in her original will. She has also left instructions for Marc’s guardianship.”

  “Me,” David said bluntly. “That’s what we agreed after Eric died. She wanted me to raise the baby if anything happened to her.”

  Mr. Watts shook his head. “She has left instructions for you, Miss Jameson to be primary guardian. But I quote, as David and Eden will both be living in the same house, it would make sense for them to raise Marc together. They are aunt and uncle to him, but at this juncture, it is best that Eden will have sole custody. I know they’ll do all in their power to protect and care for him—”

  “What?” David stood. “There’s some mistake. Give me that.” He leaned over the desk and the solicitor handed over the will.

  As David read it, his face grew red. In fact, looking at him, Eden would go as far as to say that Mount David had just erupted and a pyroclastic cloud was currently hurtling towards the solicitor at over eight-hundred miles an hour. But then as she’d seen so often, the anger was reined in at the last moment and grief filled his eyes.

  “There is no mistake,” Mr. Watts said. “Your sister was quite clear about her wishes on the subject. Her half of the house goes to Miss Jameson, along with custody and parental rights over the child.”

  “No way.” David put the papers back on the desk and calmly retrieved the car seat and Marc. “This isn’t over, not by a long chalk.” He walked out, the door closing quietly behind him.

  Eden just sat there, numb, trying to process everything she’d heard.

  “Are you all right? Can I get you some water or tea or something?”

  She glanced up. “I’m OK; just trying to get my head around this. May I see?”

  She took the offered document. There it was in black and white. She got Hanna’s half of the house. And primary custody of Marc. She glanced up. “What happens if the house gets sold?”

  “You’d get fifty percent of the total proceeds if you both wanted to sell. If either you or David alone wanted to sell, the other would have to buy the whole house or sell his share at the same time.”

  “What happens to the money from the sale? Does that go into Marc’s trust fund?”

  Mr. Watts shook his head. “No, the money from any sale would be yours.”

  “I see.” Eden glanced at the window to see David’s car driving away at high speed. Great, she’d been abandoned and lost Marc within five minutes of being made his legal guardian. She bent and picked up her bag. “I shouldn’t take up any more of your time.”

  The lawyer stood with her. “I’ll see you out. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ring. Hanna was very adamant about this.”

  Leaving the building in the rain, Eden started the long walk back to the house. She had no idea what to do. David had made his feelings plain. Now Hanna had her living in the same house as David and raising Marc as her own, with David in the father role.

  ****

  David swung the car onto the drive and dashed inside with the car seat before he or the baby got too wet. Marc was sleeping, and he didn’t want to disturb him by moving him into the cot. Instead, he set the car seat on the floor of Hanna’s bedroom.

  He hurried downstairs and hung his jacket on the end of the bannisters. He headed into the integral garage and slammed his fist into the punch bag hanging from the ceiling over and over again. How could Hanna do this to him? After all he’d done. After the way he stood by her. Took her in when Eric died, despite his better judgment. Protected her, loved her and the baby.

  The sudden realization that Hanna didn’t trust him, hit him hard. The punch bag flew back and hit him on the shoulder sending him to the floor. He sat, winded, salt burning his eyes. She’d died not trusting him with her son.

  A spear pierced him. What was he doing? To have sunk so low that not even his own sister trusted him with anything.

  From above him the sound of a baby screaming echoed down the stairs. He had to prove her wrong. Prove, even though it was too late, that he could do this. That underneath the dirt of the sordid persona he’d adopted, he was still the same man she knew and loved.

  ****

  An hour and a half later, Eden arrived back at the house, still no closer to a resolution than when she left the solicitor’s office. She headed up the drive, just as Pastor Jack Chambers let himself out.

  Pastor Jack smiled. “Hello, Eden. I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you,” she managed. “I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

  “I know. I’ve gone over the funeral arrangements with David. It’s set for this Friday. He said he’d fill you in.”

  “He might do. We’re not exactly getting on right now.”

  “It’s hard for both of you,” Pastor Jack said. “Just give it time and prayer and it’ll work out.”

  “OK. Thank you.”

  “Call me if you want to talk. I have another appointment, otherwise I’d suggest going for coffee in the High Street.”

  She nodded and headed inside. She hung her wet coat above the radiator and glanced into the lounge. David sat on the couch, a screaming baby in his arms, bottle in his hand. She went in slowly, not sure of the reception she’d get. “I saw Pastor Jack. I was coming in as he left. He said the funeral is on Friday. Isn’t that a little soon? Will we even have the body by then?”

  David jerked his head in response. “Yeah; we’ll get the body tomorrow or Wednesday. I don’t want this hanging over my head for days, like with Eric or my parents.”

  Hurt she hadn’t been asked her opinion on anything, she wrapped her arms around herself. “Whi…” Her voice wobbled, and she tried again. “Which hymns did you pick?”

  “Hanna’s favorite ones. ‘Cornerstone,’ ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘When Peace Like a River,’ and ‘Be Thou My Vis--’” he paused and glared down at the baby. “Fine, don’t have it then.” He lay the bottle down on the side.

  “David, stop.” She took a couple of steps towards him.

  “He’s done nothing but scream for the last couple of hours. I’ve tried everything, but nothing works. He doesn’t want feeding or changing or holding or putting down. So I give up.”

  She held out her arms. “May I?”

  “Have at it.” He extended the baby towards her.

  Eden grabbed the blanket from the top of the sofa and laid it on the cushions. She gently laid the screaming baby on top and then swaddled him. Holding him gently but securely, she began to rock him, stroking his cheek. “Shhh,” she whispered. “So much noise, and there isn’t any need, really.” Slowly the cries subsided and she picked up the bottle. “Are you ready for this now?”

  Marc opened his mouth and took the bottle, his eyes closing as he ate.

  David shook his head. “How did you do that?”

  “Babies pick up on your mood
. If you’re stressed or upset, they will be too.”

  “Codswallop,” he snapped. He pushed up and stomped over to the sideboard. His fingers hovered over the bottle of whiskey. Then he picked it up and slung it in the bin.

  Eden looked at him in relief. For a moment she thought he was going to start drinking. And he was in a bad enough mood as it was. Alcohol would only serve to make it worse.

  David leaned against the sideboard. “I’m going to move Marc’s crib into my room.”

  Eden jerked as if stabbed. She looked up at him. “Sorry?”

  “I said, Marc moves into my room,” he snapped. “That way I can deal with him during the night.”

  “He’s used to Hanna’s room.”

  “He’s a baby. He isn’t used to anything.”

  “So now you’re an expert on childcare, when a few minutes ago you couldn’t even stop him crying.” Eden scowled. Two could play at the sniping game.

  David heaved a sigh. He moved to the window and adjusted the vase of daffodils on the window sill. “The decision’s made.”

  “Fine. So, I assume you have no objections to me going into your room several times a day then.”

  He glowered, anger radiating off him. “I beg your pardon?”

  “If you don’t want me in there, where do I put Marc to sleep during the day? And his room has to be kept clean. Will you have time to do that?”

  “Fine,” he yelled. Then as Marc startled, he lowered his voice. “Leave him in Hanna’s room, but you do not need to get up to him during the night.”

  “You can’t do every night and be able to function the next day.”

  “So you don’t trust me with him either?”

  “I didn’t say that.” Eden caught her breath. “What about a compromise? He stays in Hanna’s room, which we turn into his room. Or he could have your old room?”

  “I have the railway track set up in there,” he said shortly. “He can stay where he is, until I get around to putting it away.”

  “OK.” Eden dropped the subject, looking back down at Marc. “He might like the trains when he gets older. Hanna was going to show me, but she never did.”

  David harrumphed. “OK, fine, we’ll keep him in Hanna’s room. In time I could decorate it. A boy shouldn’t be surrounded by pink.”

  Eden glanced up, noticing he’d changed the subject. “There is nothing wrong with pink, but OK. Just don’t go to the other extreme and make it blue.”

  David’s phone rang. “Hello? Yeah, I’m leaving now. Give me ten minutes.” He headed to the door. “Got to go out. Don’t wait up, not sure how long I’ll be.”

  “Do you want dinner?”

  “No. Lock up when you go to bed, but don’t pull the curtain over the front door. I’ll do that when I get in.” He left, almost at a run, the front door slamming shut behind him.

  Eden sighed and looked down at the baby. “Just you and me, kid.” She glanced across the room at the photo of Hanna and Eric taken on their wedding day. They both looked so happy. “I’ll keep telling you about your mum and dad and how much they loved and wanted you. I’m a poor substitute, but I’ll do my best.” She paused. “So will Uncle David.”

  ****

  David looked at Liam as the AA meeting ended. “Thanks for making me come. It’s been a horrid day and I just…”

  Liam’s hand touched his arm in an expression of sympathy. “I know; that’s why I insisted you came tonight.” He glanced at his watch. “I figured we’d go back to mine, and put on a huge pot of coffee. Adam is going to meet us there.”

  “Adam?” David frowned. “What’s going on?”

  Liam smiled. “We’re going to celebrate your one hundred days like Hanna wanted. Adam’s bringing the curry and I’m providing the coffee.”

  David’s hands dropped to his side. He’d forgotten all about that. “Where’s Jacqui tonight?”

  As always Liam’s eyes lit up at the mention of his wife’s name. “She’s babysitting for Pastor Jack and Cassie. We have the house to ourselves for a bit.”

  The AA meeting hall was a short walk from Liam’s house and by the time they got there, Adam’s car was already parked behind David’s.

  Adam West, his lawyer and the one person with whom he was completely honest, got out of the car to greet them, take away bags in his hands.

  As always when the three of them got together, the talk centered around football and politics, before moving onto the topic of the recent plane crash and Hanna’s death.

  David looked at his mug. “The funeral is Friday. I still can’t believe she’s never coming home.”

  “How’s Eden doing? Is she still living at your place?” Liam asked.

  “Unfortunately.” David caught his breath. “We got called into see the solicitor Hanna used this morning. It seems Hanna changed her will. She left her half of the house to Eden.”

  Adam looked at him. “She did?”

  “Oh, and that’s not the best bit.” David looked at his lawyer. “Hanna left Eden full custody and parental rights to Marc.”

  Both men sat up straight. “What?” they said in unison.

  David looked at Adam. “I need you to file for me. I’m contesting the will and suing Eden for full custody.”

  “You can’t—” Adam began.

  “It’s not up for debate,” David cut him off. He knew what this would do to Eden and would probably turn her against him forever, but he had no choice. It’s what any man in his current work predicament would be expected to do. Therefore he had to do it.

  Adam held his gaze for a long time before nodding. “OK. First thing tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  Liam frowned over the cup. “Are you sure you can’t work this out another way? Be content being Marc’s uncle rather than his guardian?”

  David shook his head. “I promised Hanna I’d look after Marc should anything happen to her and for that I need full custody. As it is, I have no rights to him at all. Eden can up and leave the country if she wants. And for various reasons I can’t go into, I need to know where Marc is at all times.”

  5

  Dressed in black, baby in her arms, Eden walked slowly behind David as they followed the coffin into the church. Despite the short notice, the chapel was packed. Eden hadn’t wanted to bring Marc at all, but David insisted. She just hoped and prayed he’d sleep through the whole service.

  Of course, he didn’t. He began to cry half way through David’s eulogy, so she reached into her pocket for the dummy, praying it would work. Marc’s cries gradually ceased, and he fell asleep once more.

  Now as Eden glanced up at David, his face was impassive, even his eyes were expressionless. His voice didn’t waver as he spoke. It was as if Hanna’s death had stripped him of every last shred of emotion and humanity. Ice exuded from his every pore, and they’d barely spoken ten words since the trip to the solicitor’s.

  Eulogy over, he slid into the row beside her. As he leaned in, his aftershave wafted over her. “Stay where I can see you,” he whispered.

  Eden bristled. Did he think she was going to take Marc and run? That sounded like a threat, albeit an emotionless one. The rest of the service and the committal passed in a blur as they laid Hanna to rest in the double plot with her husband.

  The wake in the church hall was filled with family and friends. Eden sat at a table in the corner, with Marc sleeping in his car seat at her feet. Her plate of food and cup of tea sat untouched, as she watched David talking in an animated fashion with two elders on the other side of the room. She knew them both—DS Nate Holmes and Elliott Wallac.

  “Hello.”

  Eden turned to the new voice and smiled slightly at Elliott’s fiancée. Having known Elliott for years, she was thrilled that he’d finally found someone he wanted to settle down with.

  “Hi, Grace. I figured you weren’t going to be too far away from Elliott.”

  Grace Chadwick sat beside her and winked. “He’s my ride home, so I’m keeping a close eye on him
.”

  “Thank you for the flowers. The church looked lovely. Hanna loved daffodils and tulips.”

  Grace smiled. “Not your usual funeral flowers, so it made a nice change. Although arranging them was a challenge.” She set her plate on the table. “I’m still learning the ins and outs of the floristry business.”

  “You’re doing great.”

  “How are you doing?”

  Eden shrugged. “I still can’t get my head around the fact that Hanna’s gone. I keep expecting her to walk in, tell me I’m folding the sheets wrong, or to put my glad rags on because we’re hitting the town. Anyway, how’s the house coming on?”

  “It’s getting there. Elliott still reckons it’ll be finished by May first. The outside is up, it has a roof, and it looks the same as it did before the storm. Well, from the front anyway. He’s extending the back, but won’t let me go and look.”

  “Is that what you wanted?” She sipped her tea.

  Grace nodded. “Yeah. Inside will be slightly different. El has complete control.” She lowered her voice. “I think he likes it that way.”

  “Are you taking my name in vain again, Grace?” Elliott appeared next to them, and winked at Eden, before dropping into the spare chair.

  Grace chuckled. “Always, my love.”

  Eden put her cup down. “Hi, Elliott.”

  He smiled. “How are you doing, Eden?”

  “It’s hard. Losing Eric was bad enough, but Hanna as well?” Her attention flicked over to David, who now seemed to be getting into a heated discussion with Nate Holmes. Her foot caught the car seat, and she bent down to straighten the blanket.

  “What’s going to happen to the baby?” Elliott asked.

  “According to Hanna’s will, I have sole custody, not that David likes that idea. Hanna also left me her half of the house.” Eden sighed.

  Elliott nodded. “Yet, you and he seemed so close at one point.”

  “Yeah. And then he just—” Eden broke off. “Oh well, I just hope God knows what He’s doing by putting the two of us in the same house, with me in charge of raising Marc. Right now we can’t even find a civil word to say to each other.”