CHAPTER XXVII
BECKFOOT PLUMBING
The setting up of the trust between them all using Dot's inheritance proved to be more complicated than Dick had imagined. The number of them in the trust made it complex, the money would first have to be invested to keep it separate from Dot's income, and to do otherwise would be a waste of some of it. Such investments would involve various taxes, and somebody would actually have to run it.
Dick and Dot visited her solicitor numerous times to discuss the matter, and after one visit and yet another lengthy conversation he admitted defeat, he recommended they go to see and use the services of an old colleague of his who specialised in such matters, only he was more used to setting such things up after a divorce.
To Dot it all seemed quite simple, the money needed to be deposited somewhere in some kind of bank account and any withdrawal or payment could only be carried out with the approval of all eight of them. She and Susan had long discussions about Roger being part of the trust, and it was decided that though he would benefit from the trust he was not mentally able to be part of its management. Susan had also spoken to his therapist and doctor, and they both felt that Roger would never be in a position to make the kind of decisions required by a trust. Roger's part in it would require protection of his interests.
Eventually the matter was settled, an agreement was reached and some months later they all gathered once more at Beckfoot to decide what to do first.
Everyone had in mind Dick's original suggestions, the overhauling and repairing of Swallow, Amazon and Scarab then the Beckfoot boathouse. Despite their agreement John and Peggy still felt guilty about taking the money for the upkeep of Beckfoot, but Nancy as joint owner convinced them.
Once again they were sat around the kitchen table at Beckfoot, once again drinking tea and eating fruitcake, on a Saturday afternoon the following spring.
'But we have to do something about the plumbing. When we're all here just having the bathroom upstairs is not enough!' Nancy was again on a particular gripe about the upkeep of Beckfoot. She knew Peggy and John were reluctant to push for the work to be done as when they were there alone one bathroom was plenty. Peggy tried to placate her sister.
'But Nancy, we can't use that money just to improve the house.' Nancy looked irritated.
'You donk! It's for all of us, even if we stay here at weekends and there's always somebody waiting to use the bathroom. Look, what about Roger, when he stays?' Susan had got in to the habit of letting Roger spend two or three days at Beckfoot, or longer, it seemed to pacify him. She spoke up.
'I'm sorry about that, but he does seem much calmer and happier here.' Peggy was quick to reassure her.
'It's fine Susan, we wish we could do more for him, it's so unfair that he still needs so much help after all these years.' This brought a temporary silence on the room.
Dot started to speak, they had all notice that in recent months she seemed more relaxed and confident, even happier.
'Of course you must, improving Beckfoot is just as important as the boats. We all use Beckfoot, Nancy and Peggy can't be expected to fund it forever. I propose that the first thing we do is build a ground floor bathroom and toilet for Beckfoot. Who agrees?'
For the rest of them Dot's insistence was enough to convince them that this was the right thing to do. John looked relieved.
'Well, if everyone agrees Peggy and I will get some quotations from builders and then we'll meet again and decide what to do.' Dick, who everybody could see had been thinking spoke.
'What you do, it's got to be in keeping, we don't want anything that will spoil the look of the house.' Titty was surprised, as her husband still often did, she did not realise he was so concerned about such matters.