‘Don’t you worry, lad.’ Fred stood up and shook hands with Dwight. ‘Thanks for letting us know. We’ll watch out for her.’

Matt breathed a sigh of relief. They would be able to help her more than he could at the moment. ‘We’ll be back tomorrow morning.’

After taking their leave, Matt drove home as quickly as possible. After the way Jenny had stormed from their house, they must be worried sick, wondering what was going on.

He was right.

‘What’s been happening?’ his father demanded as soon as they arrived.

‘We’ve just seen a display of controlled fury my old friend Cyrus would have been proud of.’ Dwight was still grinning, obviously having enjoyed himself.

‘Controlled?’ Matt laughed. ‘Dwight, Jenny really let rip at that disgusting family of hers.’

‘She sure did.’ The lawyer sat down and stretched his legs out, still grinning.

‘I think we’d all better have a whisky while you tell us about it.’

‘I’ll get it.’ John poured one for everyone, including his mother.

‘Is Jenny all right?’ Louise asked Matt anxiously.

He nodded. ‘She wants to be by herself, but I’ve asked Fred and Glad to keep an eye on her this evening.’

‘That was sensible.’ She looked at the lawyer. ‘Now, Dwight, we have been kept in suspense long enough.’

For the next half an hour the Stannards listened to the incredible story, and heard about Jenny’s reaction and her confrontation with her family.

Luke leant forward, hands on knees, and listened intently to every word. ‘Damn, it never entered my head to check for divorce papers. That was careless of me.’ He grinned. ‘I’d love to have seen her,’ he declared.

‘It sure was something to behold, wasn’t it, Matt?’

‘Yes, she was magnificent.’ Matt got up and refilled everyone’s glass. ‘She stood in that opulent room in her shabby clothes, proud and unashamed. It was her mother, aunt and Greaves who appeared shabby as their greedy deeds were uncovered.’

‘I’m so relieved she’s found out the truth and will now have money of her own.’ Louise dabbed her eyes.

‘You don’t have to worry about her any more.’ Dwight smiled. ‘Matt and I will be keeping an eye on her from now on.’

‘She might need some financial advice.’ Gilbert slipped into his banker’s role. ‘From what we’ve seen of her affection for the people she’s living with, she’s liable to give it all away.’

‘She’s asked that the money be deposited with your bank,’ Dwight said, ‘and we shall be doing that in the morning. As for wasting the money, I doubt that. She’s the image of her father, and we can only hope that she’s inherited his fine business sense. But, whatever she decides, the money is hers to do with as she wishes.’

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