The Marriage Act(38)
Today’s only positive was that, back in his den and surrounded by his diet of unhealthy foods, Mitchell hadn’t died of a cholesterol-induced heart attack. Because then she’d feel the necessity to tidy up before the ambulance arrived. And she had better things to do with her time.
Safe Passage
Where your loss is your family’s gain
Learning you have an incurable physical or mental condition is heartbreaking for both you and your loved ones. But so is worrying about the strain your ailing health will create for those you care about.
So, when the time is right, why not take the pressure off everyone – including yourself – by allowing us to make the inevitable effortless?
First, tick the Safe Passage box on your Smart Marriage upgrade documents. Then, if the unthinkable happens and you become unable to make your own rational decisions, your partner and medical professionals will decide when the time is right for us to assist.
You will be taken to one of our beautiful countryside facilities where you will be treated with respect and kindness by our fully trained staff to ensure your slip-away is brief and painless.
No one wants to be remembered as a drain on their family or our health services, and so allowing your loved ones to live a life without burden is the most selfless thing you can do.
www.smartmarriage.co.uk
Safe Passage: we put the you in euthanasia.
29
Arthur
‘Mr Foley,’ began a young male secretary from the corner of a waiting room. ‘Mr Warner is ready for you now.’
Arthur straightened his tie and made his way through a large set of frosted glass doors. He was greeted by his solicitor, a diminutive, round man with more hair on his face than his head. He put his hand out to direct Arthur towards two leather chesterfield sofas in the glass-and-oak-constructed office. The other held a tablet.
‘Mr Foley, it’s nice to finally meet you in person instead of via video. Please sit down.’ He cocked his head to one side and took a seat opposite his client. ‘How are things with you?’
Arthur had no time for small talk, especially at the hourly rate this man was charging. ‘Your message said the Crown Prosecution Service had been in touch?’ he replied.
Mr Warner leaned forward. ‘I’m so sorry to have to tell you, but they have decided to move forward with a prosecution.’ Arthur nodded. He had been expecting it. ‘For not reporting June’s death,’ he replied. The word ‘death’ was not becoming any easier to say.
‘That’s partially correct, but unfortunately they are adding another charge to the list. Both Mrs Foley’s state and private pensions were paid into a jointly held bank account, is that correct?’
‘Yes, we used it to pay the bills.’
‘When you failed to officially declare your wife’s death, her pensions continued being paid into that account. So, to both the state and private pension providers, it looks like you’ve used your wife’s death as an opportunity to make financial gains.’
‘I didn’t!’ protested Arthur. ‘My pensions also go into that account so it’s my money I’ve been spending, not June’s.’
‘Are you able to prove that?’
‘Well, no, but I wasn’t trying to deliberately defraud anyone. I’ll happily repay all their money. I can do it today.’
‘I believe you, Mr Foley, but unfortunately the CPS has decided it has a case against you.’
Arthur shook his head, his breaths becoming swifter and shallower. He removed his inhaler from his pocket and took several puffs.
‘This doesn’t make any sense,’ he continued. ‘I’ve never broken the law in my life. I’m seventy-five and I don’t have so much as a parking ticket against my name.’
‘Unfortunately, that is of no consequence. One of the Government’s election campaign pledges was to crack down on anyone defrauding the system. I’m afraid you have been caught in a grey area.’
Arthur couldn’t prevent his eyes from welling.
‘Please try not to upset yourself.’ Mr Warner passed him a box of tissues from the table. ‘Between you and I – and this is just speculation – but I believe they are trying to make an example of you.’
‘Why?’
‘For you and your wife not signing up to their voluntary euthanasia plan when you upgraded your marriage.’
‘But June and I promised we’d be there for each other in sickness and in health.’
‘But in doing so, and in you claiming carer’s benefits and her pension, they see you both as a drain on resources. It’s why the “in sickness” part was withdrawn from the upgraded marriage vows. If others see the consequences of not agreeing to tick that box and end a terminally ill loved one’s life early, they’re more likely to agree.’
‘So what happens now?’
‘First you’ll be charged with Fraud by Misrepresentation and then with Prevention of the Lawful and Decent Burial of a Body. Of course, it’s up to you to decide how to plead but we can discuss that at a later date. It’s my job to make it clear to the court that what you did was not a greedy or malicious act and that you were mentally impaired with grief over Jane’s loss.’