FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Chapter 2 - A Meddling Old Sod

Before she and Shawn could even speak, the solicitor interrupted.

"Sorry Miss Cabello, Mr Mendes, but I have an appointment back in the City and I need to get through this. You are both aware that Sir Gareth Barrington has passed away, and he has named you both as co-beneficiaries to his estate."

"What does that mean?" Shawn asked.

"Well, not the whole estate, as such. He has left his business interests to his partners, and he liquidated most of his other assets and bequeathed them to various people from his life prior to his death. At the time of his demise his only asset was this property, and a trust fund for it's upkeep."

"So we've inherited the manor?"

"Yes, you have, both of you, together."

Camila stared at Shawn, then back at the solicitor. "Can we sell it and donate the proceeds to charity? Shawn and I don't need the money, and we'd rather do something good with it."

The lawyer looked surprised and then looked at Shawn. "Do you feel the same way Mr Mendes?" Shawn nodded.

"Mmmm, well unfortunately that is not permitted. Under the terms of the will, the only way you can sell the property is if you live in it, together, for a period of four months of uninterrupted cohabitation, or allowing for your careers, it would be twelve months with at least five consecutive days per month when you cohabit in Unger Hall, plus one whole month. At the end of the qualifying period, you can sell and donate the proceeds to the Kidzartz Foundation, of which he was the chair. Sir Gareth has provided a list of three approved purchasers who will keep the property in a similar state, one wishes to turn it into a luxury hotel, one as a partial stately home, the rest open to the public, and a third as a private home. They are willing to wait the year."

Shawn was having trouble keeping his mouth from gaping over in shock. "What happens if we just say no," he said. "We don't want to do this."

"If you refuse to accept the terms of the will the property will be sold to KED Industries for minimum rate so that they can pull it down and build a theme park."

A theme park. Garry's most hated institution. He regularly ranted about Disney and other theme parks in the UK, he thought they were dreadful, and a "supermarket for pedophiles and child traffickers". He REALLY wanted them to do this.

"Can we have a few moments to discuss this in private?" Shawn asked and the lawyer nodded and left the room. He turned to her.

"What the fuck, I didn't even know you knew Garry, I mean Sir Gareth!"

"I didn't know you did either! He always spoke as if he only knew what I told him about you."

"You talked about me?"

"Well, he gave me some advice about what to do about us...". She felt her face flame.

"Mmmm, I bet he did. Follow your heart, right?" She looked surprised.

"You too?"

"He knew about our....friendship. I think he is matchmaking from beyond the grave."

"What are we going to do?" she asked.

"I can't see an option. He knew we couldn't let it go to the theme park developers. And the arts charity for disadvantaged youth is important, he talked about it a lot to me, and they need this money."

"I can't see any other option either. We're going to have to do it." Camila felt like a fly caught in a spider's web. Garry, you big hairy spider, I bet you're happy with what you've done, she thought.