POV: TYLER
"A call from a solicitor?" Avery asks Eleanor, echoing my own questions. "Like… some kind of attorney?"
"Yes, Becks, sorry. I forgot you don't use that term over there. And yes, Mr. Pembroke could be considered an American attorney. He is specialized in inheritance, and deals with all sorts of bequests and late wills."
"Oh, okay. But why would an attorney be calling you?" Avery presses.
"Well..." Eleanor begins but soon trails off, tension rising again in her voice.
"Eleanor?"
"Yeah, sorry. It seems that my father has left a separate private will addressed to the three of us, that has to be opened next Wednesday, the 16th of October. Mr. Pembroke, the solicitor in question, is going to handle the reading personally."
"What?"
"I know, I know. It's unexpected. It was for me too. Mr. Pembroke asked for your contact details, but I didn't like the idea. Not without consulting you first. I mean, I didn't even know this late will existed until today!"
"I don't understand, Els. A private will?" I repeat, confused. "Like a testament? Your father never said a word. It's..." I stammer, speechless, and Eleanor fills the gap.
"Confusing, I know. And I'm sorry, Ty, to be this vague. I'd like to know more but, again, I'm as clueless as you both. It seems to be mandatory for the three of us to attend the opening together. I'm already angry enough at the solicitor for the short notice, but he protested he was under legal obligation to stay silent until today."
"Wait, Els, just wait, please," I try again, running a hand over my face. "Why is this late will addressed to the three of us? I mean, I thought all the paperwork were sorted out. Am I wrong?"
"You're not," she sighs. "All the formalities had been settled a month ago, but it seems this will has nothing to do with them. I'm sorry for not being more specific, but that's all I know. The solicitor didn't want to add a single word over the phone."
Uneasiness creeps back beneath my skin, and when I look in Avery's direction, it's clear I'm not the only one feeling like that.
"And here I am, thinking this kind of stuff only happens in movies..." she grunts, making both me and Eleanor scoff at once. "By the way," Avery goes on, "you're Lord William's last living descendant. What's the point of this will? Why all this secrecy and rush?"
"God only knows what dad had in mind," Eleanor responds with a heavy sigh. "He always did have a flair for the dramatic. I tried to explain to the solicitor that it might be complicated for you to be here next Wednesday, but you know how British can be: stubborn as goats, all old-fashioned and traditional."
Avery relaxes somewhat, the hint of a grin slowly surfacing on her face. "Yeah, we know how 'you' British people are. All that politeness, stiff upper lips, black tea and rain. Oh, and the proper manners, of course. How could I have forgotten them?"
"Are you maybe teasing me, you little American brat?" Eleanor shoots back, and the tension in our room finally breaks.
We talk about the solicitor and the testament for a little more, our mutual worries dissipating with every passing minute. This late-will-thing still remains a mystery, but right now, it offers us the perfect excuse to see each other again. And I have the feeling none of us wants to pass up this sudden opportunity.51Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWX991VoJR
"So, I guess we need to book flights?" Avery finally concedes, looking in my direction as if to ask confirmation. "I have a few projects in my hands, but none of them is officially mine, and frankly none has captured my interest enough to keep me from taking a few days off…"
"She's baking cookies, Els."
"Ty, behave! And I'm not baking cookies. I was making you a chocolate cake, in case you forgot. And I'm still in time to put chili powder in it."
We all laugh again, and for a second I almost forget this is no ordinary phone call.
Almost.
"Anyway, like I said, I can leave without problems. But I don't know if our little chatterbox here can take a few days off. What do you say?"
"Of course I can. I deserve a holiday too every now and then. Let me just call Uncle Jack. I'm sure he can handle things on his own for a week or so."
"Perfect! Well, yeah, not for the sudden break from work, of course. I hate that part. But having you both around for a week? That's… great. And listen, I really want you here. Righley too. That goes without saying. We've missed you terribly."
"Never mind about the break, Els. It'll be worth it. And we miss you too," I say, trying to remember the last time the four of us were together. Was it at the Oscars? Six months ago, if not seven?
Too long.
I look at Avery, who nods in return, as if reading my mind. "Well, everything's settled, then. Besides, as Ty said, it's good to see you and Righley after such a long time. And to get out of here, for a change."
Which I couldn't agree more. Who knows, this trip might help Avery with her recent artistic block. It could be, indeed, a perfect opportunity. Or at least, so I hope. The silence in this house has grown too deafening, the piano always closed, the music-stand empty of Avery's notes. It breaks my heart whenever I see it.
"I'll check the flights as soon as we end the call. I'll let you know when we get there, Els, but since we don't have the solicitor's address, could you by any chance find us an accommodation nearby? Something central, or anything that…"
I can't finish because Avery rolls her eyes, and I hear a soft chuckle from the phone.
"What?"
"Oh Ty," Avery shakes her head, but it's Eleanor who fills the silence.
"That's out of the question! To start with, I'm going to refund you for the tickets. And second, you are not staying in London. It would be rude, impolite and very stupid. You're staying with us at the manor. Don't even try to argue, Tyler," she warns, her tone playful but still filled with her uniquely welcoming attitude.
"God forbid I even think about trying!" I scoff, before softening my words. "You finally made up your mind and moved up there? No more London?"
"No more London. It was the best thing to do. I couldn't administer the manor from the city. And I know this place is too huge just for the two of us, but the staff makes it more livable. Besides, Righ loves it here, apart from when the connection goes down."
"You'd better work on that, or she'll burn the whole compound to the ground. You know that, yes?"
"I do. I mean, she has carved out her own space in one of the rooms in the east wing, and stepping there is like entering the Batman's cave. She has filled it with all sorts of monitors and displays and who knows what else."
I can barely hold back laughter at the thought of Righley in the middle of Kent. If there's someone who I can't picture there, it's her. And thinking there was a time when our nerd friend stated that even Cambridge lagged behind Boston. Well...
"Sounds like she has had some rough weeks..."
"Yeah, but she is fine, I promise. She even found enough time to help redecorating a few bedrooms on the second floor. You're going to love it."
"I hope so! I'm accepting this arrangement just for the furniture!" I tease her, and Eleanor laughs again, more freely this time.
"God, I missed your sarcasm, you stupid girl. Okay. I'll try to not be too pushy. How would it sound if I asked Seymour to prepare a car for you, just in case?"
"Seymour?" Avery's eyes fill with something close to affection. "Are you telling us that the old butler is still working for you? I thought he had retired!"
"He should have, but he is the most British among us. Stubbornness is his middle name. I'm glad he didn't, though. Without him, I swear, the estate would be a total mess!"
I smile and shake my head. Seymour remains an institution for Cavendish Estate Manor, like he belonged to the property along with the stones of the foundation, the tiles on the roof, or the windows that look forever over rolling hills.
"It'll be nice to see him too. And forget about the car. We just miss you and Righley. If we can spend some time together, the four of us, we'll be the happiest people on Earth. And of course, staying at the manor is more than fine. We practically grew up there, remember?"
"Oh, I do!" Eleanor grins at the memory. "All that running and climbing up and down the stairs. All the trouble we used to get into."
"Especially after we discovered the rooms in the basement!" Avery remembers, and my mind travels back, bringing memories from long ago.
So many things had happened there. So many adventures, so many fights, all the fun, all the laughter and the fear. Avery and I. Our first kiss.
I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the manor.
Avery seems to read my mind for the second time in a couple of minutes, and she gently reaches for my cheek with her fingers. I relish her caress, trying to chase away all the bad thoughts.
"It'll be fine," she tells me, and I nod, because she's right. Besides, I couldn't say no to Eleanor even if my life depended on it. And if life has taught me anything, it's that when Avery supports Eleanor's plans, or whatever they've agreed upon, I'm usually screwed.
"Why do I feel like we are toddlers again? You two always pairing up against me?" I joke.
Avery laughs, and a few words escape her lips. "We didn't pair up against you, my love. We paired up against Alexander, who always-"
She freezes, her mouth half-open for what she has just said. My breath catches in my lungs, and for a moment, it feels like the room temperature has dropped a dozen degrees. Whatever words she was going to add die on her tongue, a mixture of horror and panic spreading over her features as she stares at me. Panicked.
On the other side of the phone, the crackling static fades, replaced by an oppressive, charged stillness.
Jesus…
We have been so careful to avoid that name, not to even allow it to be whispered in our darkest corners. And suddenly there it is, in a fraction of a second, bursting into our lives like a fucking fanfare.
I close my eyes, the silence around us so deep that I can hear my own blood pounding in my veins. And then, in a glimpse of consciousness, I shudder, because the world has really crumbled around me.
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and then Add to home screen.