CHAPTER XXV
DICK"S ANSWER
Dick, uncharacteristically, seemed uneasy, he had not spoken to any of them much since they had returned from the Island. Titty though realised, she had noticed at once, she knew the signs, there was something on his mind and he would not be diverted from it. If she had noticed, then she knew Dot would have too. They both guessed it would be to do with Dot's inheritance.
As they sat around in the kitchen they were all having conversations with one or two of the others, Daisy was busy at the stove and occasionally asking Nancy or Peggy to find something in the kitchen cupboards.
Suddenly, without waiting for a natural gap in the other's conversations Dick began to talk to them all, he'd always been like that and when Titty married him she was already used to it. He spoke in a raised voice, again something Titty knew was unusual.
"Dot, I've got the answer for you, what to do with the money." This got the attention of all of them and they abandoned their conversations, Dot especially.
"Thank goodness Dick, I knew you would, I knew."
None of the others said anything, they each in their own way had been troubled by Dot's revelation the evening before. Dick was not bothered by this lack of comment, he turned to a page in his pocketbook and glanced down then just continued.
"We need to set up some kind of fund that we all have to agree to spend from, but none of us can use the money on our own but we can all have access to it, and anything we do spend it on has to have some benefit to all of us." Dot looked impressed by her brother, but before she could say so John had immediately thought of a problem.
"But how do we agree on what would be a benefit?" Dick was quick to answer him.
"I thought of that, it's simple, anything we do has to have something to do with what brought us all together all those years before, and if we still can't agree then Dot has to make the final decision. And we all have to agree never to question any decision she's made." Titty was impressed by her husband's thinking, but still had a question.
"But what kind of thing?"
"That's simple, our boats all need renovating, so does the Beckfoot boat house that some of us have used at no cost for many many years. Then John and Peggy's children have no boats of their own, and if when they have children, if they do, we can make sure they have boats too! Lastly there is Beckfoot, how many times have we all stayed here, eaten here and made use of it. Those of us not in the Blackett family have used it almost like a hotel. The money can help the upkeep of the house so we can carry on using it, and when we all get older we can use it, if you like, as a retirement home!"
Nancy had listened, but said nothing until Dick had finished.
"What about when none of us are here?" Peggy misunderstood her sister.
"There's always some of us…oh, you mean when…" She shied away from the dreaded word.
"You galoot! Of course! When we're all dead?" Dick looked unbothered.
"I thought about that too, we set up a trust that will come in to force when the majority of us are no longer here, then the trust can take over the decisions as long as it does not harm those of us that are still around."
Before anyone could comment further, Daisy interrupted him.
"Sorry Dick, we've got five minutes and supper will be ready, so we can talk more after we've eaten. Peggy can you help me with the rice, and Titty can you take some of these dishes through to the dining room? The rest of you can you go and sit down!"