Vivien K. Wilk

"Good God, Grace, you look terrible! You look like a ghost."

Grace looked up when she heard Thomas' voice beside her. Samantha's boyfriend had stopped next to her and looked at her face visibly confused. He wore sports gear and his blond hair was in a ponytail.

"What do you mean?" Grace asked feeble, putting her fork aside.

She had finally got to eat since coming back from college. She had actually thought that everyone was still out and about and that she could eat in peace. She hadn't wanted company all day.

"You probably haven't seen yourself in the mirror in the last few hours," replied Thomas, "I mean you're always pale, but I have the feeling that your dark circles are now as deep as a moat. Haven't you slept."

"Yes, yes. I ... it was just a busy day."

"I have vodka if you want."

Grace gave a small smile and shook her head.

"I don't think that will help."

"It helps me", Thomas replied with a laugh, "Anyway, Sam and I go jogging. See you later."

"See you."

Grace held up her hand while Thomas grabbed a water bottle and left the room. She could hear Samanthas and his voice outside in the hallway. Her friend seemed to be asking what had happened, but she couldn't understand any more. Then the door fell into its lock. Grace looked at her plate of frozen pizza again. She had eaten so slowly that it was now cold. That didn't really stimulate her appetite and she put her fork to the side.

As she sat at the kitchen table and sipped her water, her mind wandered back to the day. She was surprised that Melody had called. It wasn't the fact that her sister had contacted her. They had also written in the family chat too, aswell as with Daniel. No, it had surprised her that it had really been a phone call. If she was being honest, she still didn't know why. Most of the time they had been silent, everyone lost in their thoughts. The little they'd talked about had been memories of Evellyn's apartment, the bookstore, and the garden. For a brief moment it was nice that they had remembered together, but here, too, the conversation quickly fizzled out. Did Melody feel like her? Did she just not know what to say about her great-aunt's death, even though they only had fond memories of her? Perhaps Grace should have asked her that when the silence fell. Then Melody had to hang up because she had scheduled a conversation with a customer.

Her cell phone buzzed in her pocket and she glanced at it. It was Daniel who asked if they should all go to Ireland for the funeral. His next message revealed why he asked that, because he immediately followed that he wasn't sure if he could take special leave. Actually a good question. Grace was pretty sure she could apply for special leave from the university in such a case. But if she was the only one who had time, did she even want to go? And who would organize the funeral on site. Evellyn had never had children of her own, her husband had died before Grace was born and she did not know which of Evellyn's in-laws were still alive.

Maybe one of us will have to go one way or another to take care of all the formalities. Mom will probably know who can handle this.

Leaving her brother's question unanswered, she got up and took her food back to her room. Even if her day had turned out differently than she had planned, she had to get back to work.

 

Grace was just sitting in front of her laptop when her cell phone started ringing. Annoyed, she glanced at her cell phone. She was debating whether to just ignore the call when she noticed that the call was not from Germany. She looked at the area code in amazement, not sure which country it stood for. In the end, curiosity won and she took off.

"Grace Lindmann?"

"Ah, Miss Lindmann, how nice that I could reach you so quickly."

The voice on the other end was that of a man. Deep and sonorous. And he spoke English. Grace sat up a bit and grabbed her cell phone so she could understand him better. He spoke with a slight accent and even though she was good at English, it was sometimes difficult to hear the exact words over the phone.

"Who do I talk to?"

"I'm extremely sorry, where are my manners. My name is Björn Steel, I'm your aunt Evellyn Silburgh's lawyer."

"Great-aunt. Her lawyer? I think you have the wrong number. I think you wanted to speak to my mother, Annette Lindmann. I can gladly give it to you."

She heard Mr. Steel laugh on the other end.

"No, no Miss Lindmann, I wanted to speak to you. There is no confusion."

"But...."

Grace paused, confused. She didn't really understand what was happening here. She would never really be able to help Mr. Steel any further. But he seemed sure he was right with her.

"I ... what can I do for you?"

"I would like to inform you about some details related to the death of your great-aunt. First of all, my condolences. Evellyn was really a wonderful woman. I can imagine that this sudden news must have been a great shock to her."

Grace nodded, but was too caught up in her confusion to realize that Mr. Steel couldn't see that.

"I was contracted to look after the will of your aunt," continued Mr. Steel, "and it will be very important that some matters are dealt with as quickly as possible. For this I need your help, Miss Lindmann, since you are the main heir."

She thought she had misheard. For a few seconds she just sat there and stared at the laptop screen in front of her.

"I'm what?" She managed with a pathetic croak.

"The main heir. Your great-aunt left you her house with the bookstore and most of her savings. The last time I saw her, Evellyn asked me to contact you immediately if her health did not improve. Unfortunately, she after that, she got worse much faster than anyone expected. That's why I was only able to call you now. "

There was another silence. Grace was still sitting in her seat in shock. Again and again she opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Her thoughts swirled through her head and she couldn't even grab hold of one to really think for a moment.

"Miss Lindmann?"

She could hear Mr. Steel's voice on the other end. He sounded worried in a way.

"I know it is much to process. Can I help you in any way?"

"Why me?"

Grace finally managed to formulate a thought and words.

"I can't really answer that to you, to be honest. But your great-aunt was very clear in her wish. She said: If anyone's going to get the bookstore, it's Grace."

At his words, Grace felt her stomach contract. And not only that, her throat seemed to be tightening too. She had to gasp for air.

Why? Why did Evellyn choose her? Why had she never said a word about it?

Her guilty conscience from the morning returned with unstoppable severity. Evellyn had always tried to contact her and she had just ignored it. At the other end, she heard Mr. Steel take a deep breath.

"Listen Miss Lindmann, maybe you should discuss the whole thing with someone. You should have my number and I have yours. It would of course be nice if you could come to Glendare as soon as possible. I have a few things to clear up with you, which unfortunately require your personal presence. I hope you can make it possible. That would be best for the inheritance "

His words brought her a little out of her rigidity and Grace took a deep breath.

"I'll try what I can," she replied, "Thanks .... for your call."

"Not for that my dear. If you have anything, and I mean anything, call me. Even at night. I want to make sure that your great-aunt's wishes are met and that you don't feel alone with this task."

"That's very nice of you. I'll get in touch."

After Mr. Steel said goodbye, Grace hung up. She could only sit for a few seconds before she had to jump up and run across the room. Her whole body vibrated and trembled with tension. Again her thoughts were just a ball of swirls and knots dancing around in her head. It wasn't something she expected. Not in the least.