The Present

Just to put you in the picture, Isabella was 75, a widow and at times she would get confused with names but she could still do puzzles and look after herself.

She was at the time of life when the first thing you read in the paper is the death notice column and this morning Isabella saw that a friend of a few years ago had died. The funeral was tomorrow. Robyn had been the lady who came and did her garden and never pulled the wrong plants out and over a cup of tea would put the world to rights. But Isabella had moved into a smaller place and the small garden she found she could manage herself.

So Isabella rang her daughter and said she was off to this funeral the next day and would use her Gold Card to get the bus to St. Aiden’s church. Now in the other direction was St. Andrew’s and St Patrick’s and the Methodist Church.

Daughter Barbara said, "Whose funeral is it this time?"

“It’s Robyn’s."

"But you haven't seen her for years. Why do you have to go to every one's departure? It’s almost an every week occurrence."

That didn't put Isabella off and next day she caught the bus to St Aiden’s for the service at 10.30. When she got there she saw the hearse at the front door but no-one around. The vicar came out of the church and said,"No it’s alright, come in. Just sign the attendance list with your address.”

Isabella thought, that's odd I don't usually put my address but if that is what I have to do, I'd better do it.

10.30 came and when she looked around there were only two other men there. The vicar began the service and said, "We have come today to honour the life of Mr Robert Ainsworth." Isabella thought, oh heck I'm at the wrong service. Perhaps it was at St.Andrews but I can hardly leave now.

It wasn't a very long service and she tried to slip away quietly but one of the men said "We would like you to come to the late Mr Ainsworth's lawyer, Mr William Hollbrook's chamber next Friday at 2 p.m.”

Later that day Barbara rang her mum and asked how the funeral went. Isabella said, "I went to St. Aiden's but I see by the paper I should have gone to St.Andrew’s. The one I went to was for a Mr Robert Ainsworth. There was only me and two older men and now I have to go his lawyer's chambers next Friday at 2.30 p.m.”

"Oh mum, what have you got yourself into?"

Isabella had some sleepless nights but at last Friday came and with butterflies in her tummy she appeared at the lawyer. There were the two men again who were at the funeral. The lawyer opened his file of Mr Ainsworth and proceded to say that as Mr Ainsworth was a very private man he had left his estate to those who came to the funeral. Isabella's share was $500,000!

The last laugh was on daughter Barbara.


Margaret Hawkey