BERNADETTE CYNTHIA HEALY
EPISODE 30
The phone only rings twice before I hear Polly's voice, 'Hello?'
'Hi sweetheart, it's just me.'
'Hello Mum, how are you?'
'I'm fine thanks dear, had a busy day. I have some news about the will if you want to hear it?' I don't want to force myself on my children, even though I know this will affect them.
'Oh,' Polly hesitates so I immediately retract.
'Please don't think it's urgent, it's really not. I just thought you might want to be kept up to date. But if you're busy please don't worry.'
'Its fine, I do want to know, it's just Melissa is here and I know that Jack didn't really want to hear about it. You know what I'm like, whatever you tell me will be written on my face, so I don't think it's really fair to her. Why don't you come over tomorrow for breakfast? Sonia would love to see you before she goes off to college, and I'll ask Clare if she wants to come over as well? I know that Dan always appreciates the cakes you bring over for breakfast. Not that that's a hint or anything,' and my daughter laughs down the phone to me.
'That sounds wonderful dear. Shall I come over for seven?'
We make a few more arrangements, and Polly promises that after breakfast tomorrow we will have the time to sit and discuss the advancements I have made. I sit in Jonathon's armchair, and wonder how to close this Pandora's Box I have opened.
I glance at box of documents and details I have collected over the last three days. I can't believe that tomorrow will only be Tuesday and I've already learnt so much, more than I'd ever want to know about my late husband's late mistress. This is an inconvenience no one should have to suffer, but here I am willingly follow through a request for a woman who means nothing to me.
For the first time since this endeavour began I begin to question my own motives. I'm sure it's not for the money, but why have I become so enamoured with this task? I know Albert Healy is alive and well aware of his sister's untimely demise. If I continue down this path it sounds as if I'd be doing exactly as he wants, and I'm not sure I want to be associated with someone who can so easily drop a member of their family.