Gerry read the letter she had found written by her grandmother.
My dearest Geraldine,
By the time you read this, I will no longer be around. My health has been deteriorating in the past few weeks and I am trying to right a wrong, before it is too late.
I am so sorry I’m not here to help and guide you, but my spirit will never rest until you are safe and sound.
Please forgive your parents. They were weak and were tempted and could see no other way out of their problems, they were so much in debt. If only they had come to me, then perhaps the disastrous consequences could have been averted.
Elena and Geoffrey didn’t realise that I have other funds invested and I, on the other hand, did not realise how badly in debt they were. They were so liberal with their finances and get-rich quick schemes that I had kept secret the fact that I had other monies, because I knew they would come asking for me to give them a loan. I had given them so much money in the past and I knew if things carried on the way they were going I would have given away all our fortune (your future) so I led Elena and Geoffrey to believe there was nothing left in the kitty.
When your father telephoned to say goodbye and he told me what they were planning, I was appalled. I tried to get access to the funds but by then it was too late and they had already made their minds up. They didn’t want me to bale them out one more time. If only your grandfather were still alive, he would have known what to do – if only .....
The rest you know. I never saw them again, they were never found – I didn’t get a chance to say sorry.
I could never recover from these terrible events. There is nothing left for me to live for. My heart is broken and nothing can mend it. When the illness started to take hold I felt it was best that your Uncle Harry and Aunt Laura would be best placed to look after you. They are your family now, along with your cousins, Maria and Louisa.
I know I’m being selfish and when I think of you as a young child, I remember your cute little face, those titian curls, your chubby hands and you calling our grandma, grandma, kisses, cuddles. I shouldn’t be leaving you but am so ill now.
Harry and Laura will look after you until you come of age. You will then inherit Dunley Manor and all the monies from the various trusts. My solicitors will contact you regarding these monies and investments before you reach 21 years of age, but they have been instructed to deal with you alone. Should anything happen to you then, of course, Harry and Laura will be contacted. This sounds so cold and calculating, my dear, but I’m only letting you know what is coming to you soon.
The address of the solicitors is at the bottom of this letter but nothing will be revealed until the month before you become 21, my dear.
Be happy, my darling. I hope you meet someone kind who will look after you. Think kindly of your parents and please also think kindly of me. We all loved you and did try to do our best for you. I am sorry to have left you at such a sad time but I know I am leaving you in good hands.
Until you became the Lady of Dunley Manor I will be looking after you every step of the way.
Your every loving grandmother, Josephine
xxx
My dearest Geraldine,
By the time you read this, I will no longer be around. My health has been deteriorating in the past few weeks and I am trying to right a wrong, before it is too late.
I am so sorry I’m not here to help and guide you, but my spirit will never rest until you are safe and sound.
Please forgive your parents. They were weak and were tempted and could see no other way out of their problems, they were so much in debt. If only they had come to me, then perhaps the disastrous consequences could have been averted.
Elena and Geoffrey didn’t realise that I have other funds invested and I, on the other hand, did not realise how badly in debt they were. They were so liberal with their finances and get-rich quick schemes that I had kept secret the fact that I had other monies, because I knew they would come asking for me to give them a loan. I had given them so much money in the past and I knew if things carried on the way they were going I would have given away all our fortune (your future) so I led Elena and Geoffrey to believe there was nothing left in the kitty.
When your father telephoned to say goodbye and he told me what they were planning, I was appalled. I tried to get access to the funds but by then it was too late and they had already made their minds up. They didn’t want me to bale them out one more time. If only your grandfather were still alive, he would have known what to do – if only .....
The rest you know. I never saw them again, they were never found – I didn’t get a chance to say sorry.
I could never recover from these terrible events. There is nothing left for me to live for. My heart is broken and nothing can mend it. When the illness started to take hold I felt it was best that your Uncle Harry and Aunt Laura would be best placed to look after you. They are your family now, along with your cousins, Maria and Louisa.
I know I’m being selfish and when I think of you as a young child, I remember your cute little face, those titian curls, your chubby hands and you calling our grandma, grandma, kisses, cuddles. I shouldn’t be leaving you but am so ill now.
Harry and Laura will look after you until you come of age. You will then inherit Dunley Manor and all the monies from the various trusts. My solicitors will contact you regarding these monies and investments before you reach 21 years of age, but they have been instructed to deal with you alone. Should anything happen to you then, of course, Harry and Laura will be contacted. This sounds so cold and calculating, my dear, but I’m only letting you know what is coming to you soon.
The address of the solicitors is at the bottom of this letter but nothing will be revealed until the month before you become 21, my dear.
Be happy, my darling. I hope you meet someone kind who will look after you. Think kindly of your parents and please also think kindly of me. We all loved you and did try to do our best for you. I am sorry to have left you at such a sad time but I know I am leaving you in good hands.
Until you became the Lady of Dunley Manor I will be looking after you every step of the way.
Your every loving grandmother, Josephine
xxx