526 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 80 PART 4 JULY 2022
“I would like a cup of tea. With milk if you have it.” Mary smiled at
Sabina.
Sabina went to the coffee room adjacent to her reception desk and filled
a cup of hot water from the spigot. She heard Louise’s voice resume.
“Darren didn’t come to our place at Christmas, did he?”
“But he calls me every week. And takes me to White Spot.”
“Anyone can do that. Gerald and I … ”
“Louise.” William J. Smith wore a navy suit and a red bowtie.
“William. How are you? It’s been ages.”
Sabina returned to reception to experience the transformation of Louise.
She touched William’s arm and threw her head back in an apparent show of
delight.
“This is my very dear Aunt Mary, my father’s sister.” Louise put her hand
on Mary’s shoulder and glanced at Sabina. “Aunt Mary, your tea is here. I’m
going to have a quick word with William, and I’ll be back for you in a few
minutes.”
Sabina brought the tea to Aunt Mary and sat down beside her.
“I hope that’s the right amount of milk.”
“It’s perfect, dear.”
“So, are you here to make a will?”
“Yes, my niece thinks it best that I change it.”
“What do you think?”
“I was going to leave the family property, in Kerrisdale, to my nephew
Darren. He’s my sister’s boy. She died a long time ago, and I wanted him to
have it.”
“Is your niece pressuring you?”
“She is against Darren having the property. She doesn’t think he is family
as much as she is.”
“Why is that?”
“He’s adopted. But all that matters to me is that my sister loved him.”
Sabina heard the nearby conference room door open. “Ms. Groves, you
stay strong in there,” she whispered before slipping back to her post just as
Louise arrived.
“Aunt Mary, we’re ready for you.”
The door had no sooner closed as it opened again, and William ushered
Louise to reception.
“I need to speak with her alone, Louise.” William’s voice was firm.
Louise spun on a three-inch heel and stormed through reception and
down the hallway towards the men’s washroom, poking at her mobile
phone.