LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF
BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY
EPISODE 34
'Melissa and I talked about the whole situation last night after you rang, and I'm now not sure I want to know. Look what it's doing to you and it hasn't even been a week. I've never known you to be late without a reason. I've never known you to forget to bring cakes!' Polly chuckles, trying to lighten the mood, but I can feel she is going to be rather stern about this.
A couple of seconds pass as I take a bite of my croissant, giving me time to think. I wipe my lips of the few flakes after swallowing and reply, 'that's a relief. I was worried myself about what this information would do to you. It's probably for the best that I keep it to myself, Keith and the firm. We'll settle this like lawyers and I will observe from the side lines.'
'Would you really consider that?' Polly takes a small sip of tea, it's too hot and she blows on the surface creating caramel ripples in the tea cup.
'It's obviously causing you and Jack distress, which is one thing I would avoid at all costs. And yes, you're right. It is getting to me. There are just some things I can't figure out and I don't know how to find out.' I take another bite of my croissant.
'Like what?'
'Polly, if you don't want me to continue and you don't want to know, you probably shouldn't ask questions like that!' I smile at my daughter, knowing that she has the best of intentions, but curiosity has always been one of her most prominent traits.
'You're right. But I hate to see you like this. What have you found? Tell me. We can discuss it and chew it up and spit it out and then we can leave it to Keith and the firm. You don't need to be involved. Does that sound fair?' The tea is now cool enough for her to drink.
'Are you sure? I don't want this whole situation to begin to eat at you too.'
'Mum. I said at the start of this I wanted to know. I think it was just talking to Melissa that got me thinking about what on Earth could be found. But sitting here, not knowing what's happening, when you do know? That's excruciating. I need to know. Besides,' she takes a gulp of her tea, 'a problem shared and all that.'
'If you're sure?'
'Yes mum. Tell me. Have you found her brother? Does she even have a brother?'
'Alright. If you're sure. No I have not found her brother, but yes he does exist. And even better than that he knows that I exist, AND that I'm looking for him.' I fully intend to continue, but my daughter explodes with expletives I didn't know she knew.
'She knew this. That woman knew all along. She just wanted to screw with you head even after she died. Made it look like she'd actually won. Mum you should not continue. That's exactly what she wanted and she's making you out to be some sort of nosy widow who can't let go of the past. Screw the money, as wonderful and as useful as it would be, we don't need it. All you need to do is forget about her. Put this bitch and her fucked up family out of your head and live your life.'
I wait, unsure if the tirade is over or not and am tempted by another croissant. This time with an orange marmalade instead of just butter.
A couple of seconds pass as I take a bite of my croissant, giving me time to think. I wipe my lips of the few flakes after swallowing and reply, 'that's a relief. I was worried myself about what this information would do to you. It's probably for the best that I keep it to myself, Keith and the firm. We'll settle this like lawyers and I will observe from the side lines.'
'Would you really consider that?' Polly takes a small sip of tea, it's too hot and she blows on the surface creating caramel ripples in the tea cup.
'It's obviously causing you and Jack distress, which is one thing I would avoid at all costs. And yes, you're right. It is getting to me. There are just some things I can't figure out and I don't know how to find out.' I take another bite of my croissant.
'Like what?'
'Polly, if you don't want me to continue and you don't want to know, you probably shouldn't ask questions like that!' I smile at my daughter, knowing that she has the best of intentions, but curiosity has always been one of her most prominent traits.
'You're right. But I hate to see you like this. What have you found? Tell me. We can discuss it and chew it up and spit it out and then we can leave it to Keith and the firm. You don't need to be involved. Does that sound fair?' The tea is now cool enough for her to drink.
'Are you sure? I don't want this whole situation to begin to eat at you too.'
'Mum. I said at the start of this I wanted to know. I think it was just talking to Melissa that got me thinking about what on Earth could be found. But sitting here, not knowing what's happening, when you do know? That's excruciating. I need to know. Besides,' she takes a gulp of her tea, 'a problem shared and all that.'
'If you're sure?'
'Yes mum. Tell me. Have you found her brother? Does she even have a brother?'
'Alright. If you're sure. No I have not found her brother, but yes he does exist. And even better than that he knows that I exist, AND that I'm looking for him.' I fully intend to continue, but my daughter explodes with expletives I didn't know she knew.
'She knew this. That woman knew all along. She just wanted to screw with you head even after she died. Made it look like she'd actually won. Mum you should not continue. That's exactly what she wanted and she's making you out to be some sort of nosy widow who can't let go of the past. Screw the money, as wonderful and as useful as it would be, we don't need it. All you need to do is forget about her. Put this bitch and her fucked up family out of your head and live your life.'
I wait, unsure if the tirade is over or not and am tempted by another croissant. This time with an orange marmalade instead of just butter.
