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    Steve looked at him in disbelief. They had been corresponding for weeks, he had phoned from New Zealand to say he was coming to the U.K. specifically to address the matter, and now he was being treated as if he had just walked in off the street. He cleared his throat noisily and glared at the older man.
    ‘I sent you photocopies of my birth certificate along with those of my deceased parents and their marriage certificate, which you have acknowledged.’ He paused in an effort to keep his voice under control. ‘The purpose of this visit was to look at the property, and to show you the original documents in order to verify them and set the wheels in motion.’
    ‘Yes, of course, Mr Pardoe.’
    ‘I believe that I am the only relative of the late Bartholomew Armitage. My adoptive parents assure me that he never had any children, legitimate or otherwise and that, as far as they knew, there are no other living relatives.’ He paused again. ‘It would appear that I am the sole beneficiary.’
    Mr Duncan looked over the top of his steepled fingers. ‘Yes, but your adoptive parents are probably not fully conversant with the situation, and evidently unaware that he had another relative from way back.’
    ‘What are you saying, sir?’
    ‘I am saying that there is another claimant to the estate.’
    ‘Another claimant?’
    ‘Yes, indeed, and it would appear the claim is as valid as your own.’
    Steve stared him as if he couldn’t believe what the man was saying.
    ‘And you have kept me waiting for three weeks, and dragged me half way around the world to tell me this?’ When the solicitor remained silent, he continued in an abrasive tone of voice. ‘So who is this other person?’
    ‘I’m sorry, Mr Pardoe, but I am unable to divulge the identity of the other claimant. All I am prepared to say is that this person resides in this country. Now, let me get on with the matter, Mr Pardoe. I have another client waiting.’ The solicitor sighed and looked annoyed as Steve continued to glare at him. He placed his pen on the desk, clasped his hands together, and leaned back in his chair as he returned Steve’s glare. ‘Mr Pardoe… please; I really must ask you to stop pressing me to divulge the identity of the other claimant. You will discover who it is all in good time, and not before.’ His tone of voice had sharpened now. ‘I would remind you that it is your claim to the estate that we are discussing, and no one else’s. So please, let us proceed.’
    It was as though Steve had not heard the man. ‘Does this other person have a greater claim than I do?’
    The solicitor totally ignored the question. ‘Now then, Mr Pardoe, this is as far as we go today. I have all your documents and the name of your solicitors in Auckland, and I shall notify them immediately when the matter is resolved.’
    Steve climbed to his feet and walked out of the office without saying another word. He shook his head in disbelief as he climbed into the hire car and headed for the M4. As he sped up the motorway, a thousand thoughts chased through his mind, each one seeming more ridiculous than the last. He was almost tempted to turn back, to drive to Suzi’s and confide in her. He took a deep breath, deciding to leave things as they were for the moment, accepting that he had to think things through. He was smarting with indignation as his thoughts surfaced; had he known someone else was involved he’d never have bothered to come all this way. Why should I? he thought. I’m content with my life; I enjoy my work, and I get on famously with my adoptive parents. As far as he was concerned, what he had already was far more important than half an old building of dubious worth. He shrugged impatiently and concentrated on the road.
    It was only after he had checked the car in at the airport that he remembered how his adopted granny would always counsel him that everything happened for a reason. Her words echoed in his brain. ‘Your