Chapter 7

On Wednesday morning Tammy went off to school on the school minibus and Richard went into the study.

Richard needed to catch up with paperwork that had been left since the previous week. Some of this related to his retirement and some to his divorce. Gerald, his solicitor, had sent a large bundle several days earlier, only now did he feel up to dealing with it.

It seemed that Tara, Richard’s wife, was not contesting the divorce but was prepared to do a deal. She was not, however, happy when she found out about the recent transfer of much of Richard’s shares, stocks and properties into Tammy’s name. Ironically, Tara couldn’t actually do anything since the original transfer, to Tom Smart, predated the divorce by several months, but this didn’t stop her trying to use the issue as a bargaining chip.

Neither could Tara understand how her son, Tom, had become her daughter, Tamara. She still blamed Richard and the McPherson household, Elsie in particular. Tara’s unsaid allegation was that Elsie and Richard were in a relationship, an understandable—if very wrong—guess given Richard’s close working relationship with Elsie’s late husband.

Richard had now received the paperwork from his employer that would end his thirty year banking career at the end of January if he returned the forms within the next week. The terms were generous and included share options, which he wouldn’t exercise just yet.

The impact of the current recession on the financial sector was huge, banks were being forced to make severe cutbacks. Richard’s retirement would generate a paper saving but in reality would cost a small fortune in pension payments, a reduced lump sum as well as the share options

At first sight the lump sum was less than generous but the bank was mindful of the divorce and had made certain they would look after their own. The remainder of the sum due would be paid into a trust fund to cover any surgery Tammy, and Angela, might need as well as sponsorship for one transgendered pupil a year at St Andrews.

There was also a sweetener: Richard would be retained as a consultant in the foreign markets. This would generate a retainer. More usefully, Tammy would remain on the payroll as Richard’s assistant, as would Tanya, his PA in London. All told, this was a very good deal.

Tammy would have to agree her part of this but Richard didn’t see any problems. He duly signed everywhere he needed to and put the paperwork aside.

Returning to the divorce papers, he re-read his solicitor’s covering letter then signed the forms. At some point he would need to swear the financial statement but that could wait a little longer.

Finally, he rang his PA, and gave her an update. The bank only paid for her on a part-time basis, Richard paid the remainder of her salary from his investments.

“It looks like I’ll be in Scotland for the foreseeable future.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“I think we can dispose of some of the London properties, but best keep the apartment in Docklands. I’ll get Tammy to sign the release papers if you can get started on that.”

“Okay.”

“Can you talk to Gerald about forming a company in the name of Joan Small, oh, and Angela Small while you’re about it? I’ll fax an authorisation for the costs.”

“Right.”

“Finally, we’re off to the Tirol in a few days, so I don’t expect to hear from you before January.”

“Enjoy your trip, I’ll email or fax anything important otherwise I’ll call in the New Year. Bye.”

“Merry Christmas.”

Richard made it to the sitting room in time for coffee, brought by Thomas, Elsie’s butler. There was a copy of The Telegraph for him, plus a plate of ginger biscuits. The crossword took ten minutes, slightly longer than normal.

Elsie found Richard just after lunch.

“I’ve had a call from the Police about John.”

John was Elsie’s errant son, who most recently had assaulted Tammy in the town centre.

“What’s the latest?”

“He’s been bailed but is under a curfew, he’s only allowed out between ten and two and has to sign at Thurso Police Station three times a week. He’s lost his flat so is in a bail hostel.”

“What a waste.”

“Quite. The magistrates were concerned about his mental health so have asked for reports, in the meantime he has been warned to keep away from all of us.”

“Do you think he can rebuild his life?”

“I don’t know, I really don’t.”

That was the end of that conversation. There had been enough tragedy in such a short period, this was the one issue closest to Elsie.

Richard’s meeting at the school was at one thirty. He still wasn’t convinced this was a good idea but thought it might be a useful distraction.

“Richard, so good of you to accept the position.”

“Harry, I didn’t think I had.”

The Chair of the Governing Body ignored that remark and proceeded to introduce Tammy’s father to the other members of the Finance Sub-Committee.

Richard collected Tammy at three after her last class of the day. He had just managed to find his way back to the office when Tammy appeared, heading for the minibus.

“How was your day?”

“Pretty quiet, seeing as tomorrow’s the end of year party.”

“Any problems?”

“No, I’ve met with all the prefects. My coursework was surprisingly up to date so it’s been relatively easy.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Well, there was just one wag, again, but I don’t think there was any malice, just a tongue before brain issue. By the way, did I tell you about the Governor vacancy?”

“No. I’ve dealt with it anyway.”

Tammy wasn’t sure if her father had accepted or dismissed the offer but did get the impression that she should have said something on Monday, or even Tuesday.

At six they were at the cottage with Joan and Angela. Dinner was simple but well cooked. It also looked as if the cottage had been cleaned, Tammy asked Angela about this.

“Mum was a bit bored so we decided to go through the place. We’ve also bagged up Dad’s clothes to take to one of the charity stores. Mum said it was therapeutic.”

“I haven’t had to do it myself but I can guess it could be.”

“Jill came to see us, just long enough for a coffee. She said we were seeing closure, Mum seemed to understand what she was saying but had a cry anyway.”

“Did you work it out?”

“Yeah, but Jill says I still have some anger towards Dad. I don’t know. I don’t.”

“Are you coming to the party tomorrow?” Tammy changed the subject.

“I’m not sure, how’s the school?”

“Fine, I think they’re over the shock, although some of the lower school stare; most of them never met me as Tom anyway. Any girl would get the same response in an a previously all-male bastion.”

“It doesn’t sound so bad.”

“It isn’t. I hope you’ll be there tomorrow for the party. Remember Angela, it’s just the sixth form not the entire school.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Okay.”

Joan had begun to receive letters from the various people she’d told about George’s death, and some she hadn’t. She’d also had a phone call from the school asking for her new bank account number, although she hadn’t actually told them she would be getting a new account.

Richard told her to leave everything for the following day.