My Name is Eva(68)
‘It would be nice to get my hair done. Michelle was always so understanding.’
‘You’ll have everything on your doorstep if you’re sensible about this.’ Pat held out the brochures. ‘I’ve been to see three homes so far. They’ve all got rooms available. But this one on top smelt very strongly of curry when I visited. I think it was the staff they have there. Now this one,’ she thrust the literature onto Evelyn’s lap, ‘Forest Lawns, is really lovely. I think you’d like it.’
Evelyn looked at the pictures of laughing residents, the spacious lounge, the bright dining room and the extensive gardens. ‘It looks very nice. I’d like to be somewhere with a garden.’
‘I’ve already arranged for the manager to visit you here tomorrow afternoon. She’ll have to talk to your doctor as well, but once they’ve agreed you are fit to leave, it could all happen very quickly.’
‘Do they have snowdrops there? They must be in flower at Kingsley by now, Pat. Remember how the snowdrops spread across the lawns? I do miss my garden.’
‘I expect they have snowdrops. Or maybe you could advise them. You know so much about gardening, I’m sure they’d be glad of your advice.’
Evelyn was quiet for a moment, thinking what would be the best response, then she said, ‘Maybe I could go there for a week or two. Just to see if I like it first.’
Pat reached across and clasped Evelyn’s hand. ‘You do that. I’m sure you will love it there.’
And Evelyn was silent, but she smiled at Pat as she thought, I may not have much choice in the matter, but that doesn’t mean to say I will relinquish all control over my life and my secrets from now on.
62
Evelyn, 2 March 2016
Who Has the Power?
It is better that I suggest it, thought Evelyn. Pat will flap and skate around the issue, even though she is an executor and a trustee. If I come up with the idea, there will be less discussion and a quicker decision.
So, when Pat arrived at the nursing home, Evelyn said, ‘I’ve been thinking, dear, it would be a good idea, given everything that’s happened, if we draw up a power of attorney. It doesn’t do to wait for things to get worse and if my health deteriorates enormously’ – she laughed – ‘if I get a bit gaga, you wouldn’t be able to do it at all.’
‘Oh, I’m so relieved you’ve brought it up. I’ve been wanting to suggest the same thing, but I wasn’t sure what you’d think.’ Pat threw herself into a chair, dropping her bulging handbag down on the floor.
‘I feel fine about it. It’s a sensible step to take. You know it can’t be done when someone can no longer give their consent so if I suddenly had a funny turn and lost my marbles overnight, you’d be in a terrible pickle if we hadn’t done it.’
Pat laughed. ‘Oh, you’re not going to suddenly go downhill. You’re tough as old boots, you are. But you’re absolutely right, we must do it while we can. And now that you’re nearly ready to leave the nursing home and move to Forest Lawns, it’s perfect timing.’
Evelyn wagged her finger at Pat. ‘But that doesn’t mean you can go selling all the family silver, now. Not without my say-so.’
‘I won’t, Aunt, I promise. Though talking of family silver, I was thinking that maybe now the house is unoccupied, I ought to think about putting the valuables somewhere safe for the time being.’
‘You could take them home with you, couldn’t you?’
‘Possibly. I’ll have to have a good look and decide how much needs to be taken away for safe keeping.’
‘There’s a whole canteen of Georgian silver cutlery in the dresser. I should think that’s worth quite a lot.’
‘Gosh, I was only thinking about that silver and crystal claret jug and some photo frames. I didn’t know there was more.’
‘Oh no, there’s lots. I’m sure there are quite a lot of pieces in the Georgian oak sideboard in the dining room.’ Evelyn frowned as if she was trying to remember. ‘Come to think of it, if you are going to start worrying about all the valuables, you ought to have a look at the Chinese vases and Papa’s netsuke collection. They’re worth quite a pretty penny too.’
‘Really? It sounds like there’s much more than I’d imagined.’
‘And I think there are some insurance valuations somewhere in the house. Try looking in the drawing-room bureau. They might give you a clearer idea of the pieces you need to keep safe. They’re not very recent, but it would give you something to go on.’
Pat looked shocked at the thought of the responsibility that had been handed to her, then said, ‘Perhaps I’d better arrange to stay over there now and then. It would be a good idea to keep a close eye on the place, until we decide what to do next.’
‘What do you mean, next?’
‘Oh, nothing to worry about, Auntie. I just meant how we’re going to manage the place long-term, that’s all.’ Pat smiled and said, ‘You’ll be going to Forest Lawns at the end of next week, won’t you? So, I was thinking, you could tell me what you’d like me to bring over from Kingsley. You’re allowed to take a few personal pieces, even furniture if you want.’