Chapter 16 #2
But Augi wasn’t living anywhere like that. She was living in a house that didn’t suit her. Shadowy, secretive, hidden. And he knew that he’d do anything within his power to find Augi a home where she could be happy again.
‘You must be cold,’ said Augi. ‘The sun’s gone behind a cloud and you’re still wet from your swim.’
He couldn’t care less about how cold it was. He could stay there listening to Augi forever.
She got up. ‘We should go and talk to Kate. Tell her what we’ve found out.’
Reluctantly he rose, grabbed his towel and phone and they walked the short distance up to the house. As they went up the garden path, he realised he still didn’t really know why Augi had waylaid him on the beach. But whatever the impulse behind it had been, he was pleased.
‘Augi!’ exclaimed Kate in surprise as they came through the back door.
‘Good morning, Kate. I’m sorry to arrive unannounced.’
Kate looked from Augi to Dan and then back to Augi, her smile brightening even further.
‘Last time you were here, I said you’re welcome any time, to just knock and come on in.
And I meant it.’ She walked over, hesitated only briefly and then gave Augi a hug.
Dan raised his eyebrows in surprise and walked away.
‘I’ll, er, just have a quick shower,’ he said looking at them both. ‘I won’t be long.’
By the time he returned dressed in jeans and shirt, the coffee was ready and by the slightly guilty look on the faces of both his mother and Augi as they glanced up towards him, he guessed they’d been talking about him.
‘Do you want me to leave again?’ he asked.
Kate waved him to the coffee machine. ‘Pour yourself a drink and come and join us. Augi was just telling me about the Bach concert.’
He raised an eyebrow in surprise as he poured himself a coffee and slid into the seat opposite Augi.
She looked stunning. Her loose hair, tousled by the breeze, tumbled around her shoulders and the flush of exercise gilded her dark brown eyes.
Even the shirt she wore had unbuttoned cuffs which were turned up to reveal a fine gold chain bracelet.
Her elegant fingers were unadorned by jewellery.
‘So, what is this early morning visit really about?’ asked Kate, sitting back, her fingers laced around her coffee cup. ‘Because I don’t believe you’ve dropped in to pass the time of day.’
‘I live here in case you hadn’t noticed,’ said Dan.
His joke was rewarded with a tap of admonishment on his thigh. ‘Daniel,’ Kate said in a warning voice. ‘You know perfectly well what I mean.’
‘Of course, you’re right,’ said Augi. ‘I’ve found out a little more about the house. Lucy has so much going on that she asked if I could follow up with the Michigan lawyers.’
Kate raised her eyebrows. ‘And?’
Augi glanced at Dan. She looked suddenly unsure. He cleared his throat. ‘Augi wanted to run by her findings with me before telling you.’
Kate pursed her lips. ‘I think I can understand why. You didn’t want to upset me. Which makes me think it’s something bad. Is it?’
‘The trust deed leaves the house to Johnny Kowalski’s “closest living relative” rather than a named person, after either eighty years or Ngaire’s death.’
Kate grimaced. She’d adored her grandmother and Dan knew she still grieved for her loss. ‘Well they clearly didn’t know about Ngaire’s death. Which makes me wonder if these incompetent solicitors realise it’s nearing eighty years.’
‘I somehow doubt it,’ said Augi. ‘Or maybe, if they did, they’re trying to track down the nearest relative.’
‘It surely couldn’t be that hard.’
‘He had a brother. He’s dead now, of course, but that fact was easy enough to find.’
‘So…’ said Kate. ‘That suggests that the brother isn’t the closest relative.’ She scrunched her brow. ‘That sounds such an odd, unusual condition to include. I wonder why they phrased it like that.’
‘We don’t know. But I’m guessing it means there was some lack of knowledge. Either of the person’s identity or the name. They obviously decided that could be investigated at the end of the trust’s term.’
‘Of eighty years. I guess eighty years looks like an eternity away when the trust was initially set up. Unimaginable.’ She shrugged. ‘And maybe it was so far away that he, and the solicitors, simply didn’t care. Eighty years is a long time in anyone’s book.’
Augi and Dan exchanged looks. ‘Yes, except that particular clause — about the “closest living relative” was added in 1967. Still a long time later. But it does suggest something had happened at that time to make him request this change.’
‘I wonder what?’ mused Kate.
‘Probably only he could say. It may be something that we never find out,’ said Augi.
‘How old were you then?’ asked Dan.
‘I was five. It’s hard to imagine that while I was running wild on the beach outside MacLeod’s Cottage at five years old, a complete stranger was changing its future ownership.’ She shook her head.
‘The question is now, Mum,’ said Dan, ‘do you give Augustini permission to contact the relative who she identified on Ancestry? The descendant of Johnnie’s brother. His granddaughter.’
‘She’s the “closest living one”?’
‘It would seem so. Although, of course, we can’t be sure. But everything points to it being the case.’
Kate sighed, and rose and walked around the room, her hand trailing over the table. ‘Yes, I think it’s time to face up to things. I’m not waiting for a lawyer’s letter, or a knock at the door to spell an end to my time here.’
Augi nodded and stood up. ‘Right. I’ll get on to it this morning then.’
‘Thanks, Augustini,’ said Dan.
‘Yes, thanks for taking all this on for me. I do appreciate it. Especially when you refuse to take payment and aren’t a MacLeod.’
‘You’ve always made me feel like I’m an unofficial part of your family. And for that I’ll be eternally grateful.’ Augi didn’t wait for a reply but looked at Dan. ‘I’ll see you later?’
Dan nodded and rose. ‘Shall I pick you up?’ He glanced at Kate. ‘We’re seeing Uncle Hemi this afternoon. Moana and Mere arranged it.’
‘Wow! Progress on all fronts,’ said Kate.
‘We’ll do our best. I’ll see myself out.’ She grinned at Kate. ‘After all, I am an unofficial part of the family now.’
Kate high-fived Dan as the front door closed behind Augi. ‘Well done. You’ve brought a smile to that woman’s face I’ve been waiting to see for years.’
And she’d brought a smile to Dan’s face. He just hoped this afternoon’s visit to the marae wouldn’t bring any surprises to wipe them away.