Chapter Six: Home Again
There was a knock at Joan's door, which made he distracted from the bill she had just been sent.
As she opened it her expression froze to a glare.
"What are you doing here?" she said as she stared at her brother and his wife.
"Well we were in Truro hospital" Christopher said pointing at his sling, "So we decided to pop in and see you"
"Really?" Joan said, "You were admitted into Truro hospital even though you live in London?"
"We were on our way to see you anyway Joany!" Christopher snarled, "But was delayed because of me falling over and needing an operation"
"I suppose I better let you in" Joan sighed wishing they would go away.
Margaret kept quiet and only spoke if necessary. They walked through to the kitchen where Joan put the kettle on and sat down around the table waiting for it to boil.
"Right then Joan" Christopher began placing his free arm on the table.
"What?" Joan asked rather hoping it wasn't going to be a favour.
"About Mum's will" he said and Joan's face dropped as she knew what it was going to be about.
"Yes?"
"Well, I was thinking" he said, "I need my half"
"What do you mean?" Joan could feel her heart racing.
"What we mean is we didn't get our share of the will" Margaret said
"You both agreed that you didn't want the other half" Joan said remembering
"Yes, but since I'm retiring then I thought that it will help a little" Christopher said,
"I cannot believe that we haven't seen each other or spoken for nearly eight years and you think that you can come in here and ask…"
"Oh don't be like that" Christopher smiled
Joan took a deep breath, "You were adamant to allow me and Phil to have it"
"I've changed my mind" Christopher said as the kettle finished boiling, but Joan ignored it.
"But we have spent the money on building the farm and keeping us going. You knew that! That's why you let us have it in the first place!"
"Come on Joan" Margaret said, "He is your brother"
"I wish he wasn't" Joan said, "I always knew this was going to happen"
"Then why are you surprised" he said
"I don't know" Joan said, "I can't pay you the will off! The farm hasn't been in good business since Phil died"
"I'm sure Martin will help you with the reparations" Christopher suggested
"No he will not!" Joan said, "I don't believe you, you haven't cared about your son ever since he was born and you want to get money out of him just so you can retire"
Margaret glared at Joan as she spoke truthfully.
"You have never cared for Marty! I have always looked after him, gave him the support and love he needed! You shouldn't even go and see him"
"We already have" Margaret said, "As we left the hospital we briefly visited"
"He was with a beautiful young woman who he claimed it was his fiancé" Christopher laughed
"Louisa Glasson?" Joan asked and after the nod she said, "Yes they are going to get married and I certainly think Martin wouldn't want either of you there!"
"We wouldn't want to go anyway" Margaret said
Joan turned red with fury over the couple sitting opposite her.
"I think you should leave and don't bother coming back" Joan demanded
She got up and walked over to the door where she opened it.
"What about our half of the will?" Christopher asked
"Nothing, we, meaning me and Martin will not give you a penny. We made an agreement years ago and shook on it, even put it in writing to the solicitors about it, so you cannot come and change things" Joan explained.
"Right then. If you won't be fair then I'll have to pay Martin another visit"
They walked through the front door and Joan was determined to shut it right away, "Martin wouldn't want you to disturb him!"
"If you wont be fair we have no choice" Christopher called back as they made their way to the car.
Joan shut the door and needed to talk to Martin.
….
"Do you want to wear these?" Louisa asked holding up the jumpers she had found while packing Martin's belongings for the operation.
"No, I prefer to wear a suit" he said knowing that in a hospital he couldn't possibly be seen with casual clothes on. Also he certainly didn't want to leave with his pyjamas on that would have been the most embarrassing thing that he would ever have to do in Martin's view.
"Alright. I bet you're glad you got your wish?" Louisa said laying Martin's suit out on the bed neatly.
"Yes, can't wait to get out of here" Martin said agitatedly
Martin stood up from the bed and told Louisa which shirt he wanted to wear. She then placed the ones he didn't want back into the bag.
After he had finished getting changed, they were allowed to leave.
"Here are the details for your next appointment" The receptionist explained handing over an envelope.
"Thank you" Martin said as he walked away.
Louisa slipped her arm through his as they walked out of the hospital.