Running Rings Read online

  “Just let her have it if it means that much to her,” Verity said, folding her arms.

  “No, I’m sorry, Miss Sharpe, I’m not going to let her do that to your father. She’s done enough to him. No. As his friend, and his lawyer, no way. If she wants it then she can fight me for it and when I win I will demand that she pay the expenses. You don’t really want her to have your father’s money that he wants you to have, do you? After she already took half? Even though she never worked a day in her life while she was with Joshua? No. I don’t think that’s fair. That isn’t what Joshua would want. He loved you, and he loved Kate, and for some stupid reason he loved Carole for a time, but she’s already got enough. He already gave her too much money. No.”

  Verity unfolded her arms and sat up straight. She put her hand on John’s hand, “Mr Hanson, I’m really happy that my dad had some good friends, because I never met any of his friends except one and he was a very bad man. I love to hear my father called ‘Joshua’ when I only knew him as ‘Dad’ and I’m blown away that my real mother’s name was Kate like my middle name. I don’t care about my father’s money as much as I cared about him, but, seeing as you’re so passionate about this, I’ll leave it up to you what we do.”

  John patted Verity’s hand and stood up. He walked back around his desk and sat down opposite her. “I had no idea what kind of man Raymond Farmer was. He had no right to organise your father’s funeral and to not allow your father’s other friends to attend. I don’t know how your father befriended him or where he came from, but for ten years I told Josh to lose him as a friend and that I didn’t trust him.”

  Verity put her head down. She closed her eyes and listened as rain began hitting the window. She needed to find happy rain. She smiled. The rain was falling hard and he was opening the dorm window and trying to stick his head out into the rain. He was half way out the window and she pulled him back in by the waistband of his jeans, causing him to hit his head on the window. He held his head while she apologised and kissed his face. He pushed her over backwards and lay on top of her. ‘Come outside and get wet with me, Verity. It’s a lucky sun-shower.’ A tear ran down Verity’s face. It was happy rain but he wasn’t here. He was nowhere.

  “Are you okay, Miss Sharpe?”

  Verity shook her head, “Do you know what happened nine months ago?”

  “Your father died?”

  “Yes, he did. What date was his funeral?”

  John sighed, “It was on February twenty second. I didn’t find out until it was too late and when I got there he was being loaded into the hearse for burial. I wanted to punch Ray in the face when he walked out of that hall at the cemetery and asked me what I was doing there. He didn’t even tell anyone or put in a funeral notice, and then he asked me how soon Josh’s money was going to be released. Carole walked out and turned her nose up at me and kept walking. It was just the two of them. Two people who didn’t give a damn about him, when it could have been a lot of people who genuinely cared. You weren’t there. They didn’t tell you either, did they?”

  Verity shook her head, “No, on February twenty second I was in my own private hell.”

  “What do you mean? You were too unwell to attend?”

  Verity shook her head. This was going to be hard, but necessary. This was a man who cared about her father, and who already didn’t like Ray, so he was an ally. “Ray had me detained in my room.”

  “He locked you in your room? You’re an adult. He locked you in your room so you couldn’t attend the funeral? What an arsehole, excuse my language, he should be sued.”

  Verity nodded, “He’s in gaol.”

  “That’s good, very good, I hope he stays there. So you really haven’t seen your father’s grave? I could take you there if you don’t want to go alone. I hope they keep Ray locked up for a long time. I know that not telling people about a funeral isn’t a criminal offence, but no doubt locking someone in their room is a crime. What a petty man. I don’t understand why he didn’t want anyone else to go.”

  “Mr Hanson, this is hard for me. Every time I have to talk about this, I feel like I need a shower or something. I don’t want to go into a lot of detail, but I wasn’t just locked in my room. I was held prisoner in my room by Ray from February nineteen, for three months, and he beat and raped me on a daily basis for the duration.” Verity looked over at John as he hadn’t replied or made a noise. He appeared to be pale and his mouth was agape. She didn’t think he was breathing. “Hello?”

  His mouth closed and his eyes glassed over. He swallowed and scratched his ear. “I … um, I don’t know what I can say. I’m flabbergasted.”

  Verity nodded, “That’s why he’s in prison. He’s being held until the trial. Apparently he wants to plead innocent and say that we were in a relationship, but that’s not true.”

  “Of course it’s not bloody true, the man was a fat pig,” John said, “And that bitch was there with him. They obviously know each other. She was the only person he told about the funeral, or the other way around, she told him. Either way, they both have a lot to answer to about this. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for what you must have gone through. I can’t imagine how terrifying it would be to be detained by someone, let alone someone like him. You have my deepest sympathy.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I won’t charge you for anything to do with the Will. I can take an executor’s fee, but I’m not going to charge you to fight against Carole’s claim on the estate. I won’t let her win.” He looked at his watch. “She’s supposed to be meeting me here with her lawyer soon. You don’t have to attend the meeting, but I want to know what makes her think she has the right to do this.”

  “I want to see her. She didn’t return my calls and she didn’t come to my graduation. I’d like to see her,” Verity said, “If you can support me to do that.”

  “Yes, of course, I will. I don’t like her and I never have, so I’m definitely on your side and more than willing to support you. Just wait here and I’ll see if the meeting room is ready.”

  Verity nodded and watched John walk out the door. She was trying to comprehend that her mother wasn’t her mother. She didn’t know Kate. Maybe she used to know Kate, but she didn’t remember her. No one had told her about Kate, or showed her pictures of Kate, or told her how much Kate had loved her and wouldn’t want to be forgotten. The mother she had was always busy. There were always things to do, places to go, and people to see. She was nothing like his mother.

  Verity smiled as she remembered his mother, and that one Christmas they caught the bus and the train from the university interstate to see his family. They walked the streets of the little town, backpacks on their back, holding hands. He was trying to warn her about everything that might possibly be considered weird about his family, and about his little house with the creaky floorboards. Verity hung on his every word. She couldn’t wait to meet his parents and his two younger brothers. She was hoping they liked her and that they thought she was going to be good enough for him. He gently hit her in the bottom with his foot as they walked and told her she was crazy because his family were going to love her as much as he did. They were greeted warmly when they arrived and chastised for not asking for a lift from the station. His mother was chubby and always smiling, not like her mother who was joyless. His mother liked to cook and fuss over people, and hug them almost every time she saw them. Sometimes she slapped her sons gently on the back of the head so they could self-correct. She told Verity that she was a ‘keeper’ and looked forward to having in her home often.

  “Carole is here.”

  Verity looked at John, “Should I come?”

  “That’s up to you.”

  “I’ll come. I do want to see her,” Verity said, standing up and retrieving her handbag from the floor. She followed John out into the reception area and down the other side of the office suite. He opened the door to a meeting room and her ‘mother’ and another man were seated at a table.

  “Hello, Ver
ity.”

  Verity forced a smile, “Hi, Mum.”

  “How have you been? You’ve lost a lot of weight, haven’t you? Were you on Atkins or Slimfast?”

  “I’ve been okay, and yes, I have lost some weight, but not by choice, and I gained quite a bit too. You’re looking very well. Did you have a microdermabrasion recently?”

  “Three days ago, actually.”

  “Hello, Mrs Hardy,” John said.

  “Mrs Hardy?” Verity asked, “You remarried?”

  “I’m a widower, of course I remarried. A woman has no right to stay single,” Carole said.

  “You’re not a widower, Carole,” John said, “You divorced Joshua more than two years before he died. It was official after one year and you were remarried before he died. You’re not a widower.”

  “I’m David Sloane, I’m acting for Mrs Hardy,” the man on the other side of the table said.

  Verity nodded and sat down. She couldn’t help but look at Carole intensely. She wasn’t her mother. She was looking at her and reaffirming in her mind that Carole Hardy was not her mother. She was no longer Carole Sharpe and she was not her biological mother. Not only was she not her biological mother, but she hadn’t come to her graduation or returned any of her calls.

  “We believe that Mr Sharpe leaving all of his money to his daughter was absolutely his intention, and that his wishes should be respected,” John said.

  “I don’t give a damn if that was his intention. I was his wife for fifteen years,” Carole said.

  Verity did a quick sum in her head, but she already knew the outcome. Her parents were married maybe five years after she was born. “I’ve been his daughter for twenty two years,” Verity shrugged.

  “Did you or did you not receive a large sum of money from him as a divorce settlement?” John asked.

  “I did, but what’s that got to do with anything?” Carole replied.

  John shook his head, “I don’t think you have any grounds to contest the Will. I think you’re being selfish and cruel, Carole, and you should stop it now.”

  “I don’t give a damn what you think, John. Money begets money. She doesn’t know what to do with it,” she shrugged.

  “You’re not my mother, are you?” Verity asked.

  “Not biologically, no. But I’ve raised you since you were young and I did the best I could.”

  Verity crossed her arms onto the table, “And when you divorced Dad you didn’t want anything to do with me anymore. Now I understand why. I just came with the package, huh? You’re not my mother anymore? I mean nothing to you?”

  “You called me ‘Mum’ because your father insisted. I’d be happy for you just to call me Carole or Mrs Hardy if you want to be more formal,” she said, adjusting her rings, “I don’t need to have anything more to do with you, Verity. You’re not someone I would want as a friend.”

  Verity was hurt, “Why don’t you like me?”

  “Because I don’t have to,” Carole said, “I never wanted children. I did take you as part of the package and I did the best I could. You father didn’t want you to be a burden on me, which is why he always did your hair, and went to your school things, and what-not. You’re an adult, Verity. You don’t need a mother.”

  “People always need a mother,” Verity said, “Twenty four hours ago I would have said ‘take all the money’ but the fact is that Dad wanted me to have it. He already gave you half of his money and now you want at least half of what’s left. He wanted me to have it and you really should respect that like Mr Hanson said.”

  “If I’m entitled to it then I’ll take it. Lucky me, I don’t need it, so however long it takes will be fine,” Carole said.

  “You’re going to keep appealing until you win?” John asked.

  “You’re going to fight Dad’s choice?”

  “Damn right, I am. I was almost twenty years younger when I met your father. I need to be compensated for those years.”

  “You were,” Verity said, “When you got half of his money in the divorce settlement. You never even had to work. He paid for everything and supported you. You threw money around like it was going out of style. You taught me to be stuck up and to look down on people who didn’t have much, and you made me think that no one was worth talking to unless they came from a particular suburb.”

  “And yet you still had your heart set on marrying some lower class boy from a hick town, Verity. You’re not worth your father’s money. I deserve what I’m owed.”

  “I can’t believe this. You’re acting like you’re some kind of victim who suffered at his hands. You initiated the divorce, you’re already remarried, and you’re talking about him like you never even loved him.”

  “I had needs, Verity. Unmet needs.”

  “Were they met when you had the nose job? What about the Mercedes? What about the annual six week sabbatical to Hawaii? What about Dad’s needs or my needs? You were always too busy for me, and I had so much to just figure out for myself. All of your advice was bad, really bad, and it made me a horrible person.”

  “I said I don’t like you but I do like you, Verity. I just don’t need you in my life. Adult children become friends, and I don’t need you as a friend. I don’t feel a connection to you.”

  “If you like me, then don’t drag it out,” Verity said, “Don’t pursue this, please, Carole? After everything I’ve been through already, please don’t do this.”

  “What have you been through?” Carole shrugged.

  “You know what Ray did to me. The Police contacted you.”

  “I know what you said he did to you, but it will be up to the court to decide if you’re telling the truth,” Carole said.

  “Why would I make something like that up? I see, okay, forget it. You’re not getting Dad’s money. You’re already a wealthy woman.”

  “So are you,” Carole replied, “You probably have millions hidden in other bank accounts you don’t even need, or more term deposits. You’re so money-hungry.”

  “Excuse me?” Verity replied, “Why would you say that when you know you cashed in my term deposits while I was at university.”

  “You did what?” John asked.

  “I spoke to the Trust yesterday, and they said the funds were withdrawn before maturity, before I turned twenty one, by Carole Sharpe. She took the cash and I have no term deposits or other funds,” Verity said.

  “It was ridiculous that your father wanted you to have money like that. Just like it’s ridiculous now,” Carole said, “You don’t know anything about money.”

  “I have a degree in commerce,” Verity replied, “I know a lot about money.”

  “I’m not here to play happy families with you, I’m here for money. If you need a mother, she’s buried next to your father. I’m done here for today. My lawyer can handle the rest,” Carole said.

  “That’s so cold, Carole. You’re not leaving here until you explain why you withdrew funds that weren’t yours to withdraw, and also how you pulled that off. You need to return that money immediately, plus interest, or you’ll be sued for fraud,” John said.

  “David, can you arrange to have those funds returned and make sure the interest is worked out properly. Don’t give her a cent more than she’s owed,” Carole said.

  “Yes, Mrs Hardy,” David replied.

  Carole stood up, “I won’t be attending any more of your ridiculous meetings, John. Your office is dingy and your taste in clothes is subpar. David will be handling this, and if you need to speak to me you can do so through him. I’m not letting it go until I have at least half of what Joshua has left. You know what that means, don’t you, Verity? It means that the money sits in limbo until there’s an outcome. If I were you, I’d let me take half and we can go our separate ways.”

  “Like Hell,” John said, “You’re not getting another cent of Joshua’s money, Carole. You want to fight it then fight it. I’m not going to let you win. I’m the executor of the Will, his funds are in trust with me, and I am going to do e
xactly what Joshua wanted done with the money. What he always wanted done with the money. That’s the only reason you divorced him. I’m not stupid. He already set you up for life and made you wealthy beyond your earning capacity, and the only reason you divorced him was so you could get your hands on half his money. You did that, he let you have it, but I’m not letting you have any more.”

  “Do what you like, John. As I said, I don’t need the money, but I want it, and I’m going to get it. Good day.”

  Verity watched Carole walk out the door and wanted to cry. She knew her mother was cold and strict, but that was just part of being wealthy sometimes. That was just part of a wealthy upbringing, that’s what she always said. If Carole wasn’t her mother then Carole’s parents weren’t her grandparents. They were wealthy too. And her cousins weren’t her cousins, and her aunt wasn’t her aunt. She shook her head. It didn’t make sense why Carole had to have this money when she already had so much money.

  “How quickly can you arrange to repay the Trust investment, David?” John asked.

  “I’ll try to get it done by the end of the week,” David said, “I’m sorry, Miss Sharpe. Sorry for your loss.”

  “Sorry for my loss of money or my loss of parents? Turns out I’ve lost a lot of money, as well as three parents and four grandparents, three cousins and an aunt. I know all about dealing with loss. Apology accepted,” Verity said, “Should I leave now?”

  “Make sure you give me your bank account details, Miss Sharpe,” John said, “The money will be in your account by close of business Friday. Won’t it, David?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll make sure of it. Mrs Hardy gave consent for that, we all heard it. I’ll go back to the office and work out the amount now, and get it to her accountant,” David said. He stood up from the table and offered his hand to John and Verity. They shook his hand and he left.

  Verity turned to John after she wrote down her bank account details, “It was nice to meet you, and to know that you were a friend of my father. I’m glad he had some good friends too. I guess I should go and enjoy my last few days of being unemployed. I start a new job on Monday, and it’s my first one since I graduated almost a year ago. I should maybe buy some new clothes, and maybe celebrate a little. I don’t know. I haven’t really been great with people in the last six months.” She stood up and sighed.