Wild Child by Shelley Munro

while they purchased petrol and learned zilch. Their reticence reeked of a conspiracy of sorts. Alice huffed out an exasperated breath. It would be lovely to learn a few details about her inheritance. It was all so mysterious.
    “Yes, we’re in the right place.” Alice supposed she should have jumped on the Internet and done some research after the lawyer’s bombshell call, but there hadn’t been time since they’d both worked late and then had to rush to attend a work function.
    Steven bent toward her and spoke softly, his warm breath puffing against her cheek. “Are you sure the lawyer didn’t give you a hint about your inheritance?”
    Great minds thought alike. Alice smiled with pleased self-congratulation even as she pulled away, out of range. If she grew any hotter, she’d self-combust. Her mother might consider Steven stuffy, but she was wrong. A pompous windbag, her father had stated the first time she’d taken the young lawyer home. Alice knew better. Despite her parents’ opinions, Steven’s thought patterns and ideals aligned completely with her own. They were perfect for each other.
    And she’d finally have security, both financial and emotional.
    Steven cleared his throat in a non-verbal reminder that he awaited details. Alice reconstructed the hurried phone call she’d had with her godmother’s lawyer in her mind before shaking her head. “No. I asked Mr. Bellbooth when he rang me last night but he said in accordance with the will, I had to come to Sloan to learn more details. He told me the date and time and hung up to take another call.”
    “Mighty peculiar.” Steven spoke in a well-modulated voice. “I told you to let me handle it.”
    Alice felt a niggle of irritation grab hold and immediately guilt surfaced. Although not officially engaged, they had an understanding, so she supposed his attitude spoke of concern. Really. They were perfect for each other.
    A tubby man dressed in an old-fashioned pinstriped suit limped onto the podium and the locals immediately ceased their loud chatter. The clamor diminished to a low hum. Most of the inhabitants in the drafty hall resonated with excitement. Alice stared in fascination. The man looked as if he’d stepped straight from a Munster’s movie. Actually, after the show so far, she wouldn’t be surprised to see a few bats flitting through the air or body parts start to somersault across the floor. It had been that kind of day.
    “If everyone is ready, I’ll start to read the will.” Despite his benign appearance, the man exuded confidence and took control. The lawyer, Mr. Glen Bellbooth she presumed, cleared his throat and silent expectation ensued. He pulled a pair of spectacles from his inside jacket pocket, put them on and surveyed them all before he started to read. “Alicia asked me to read the will in its entirety.”
    Alice groaned silently. This torture would continue? The lawyer obviously didn’t realize the size of her student loan. The notion that she’d be able to pay off the loan and start saving seriously for the small house she’d always dreamed of refused to go away. Steven and she could have a family sooner rather than later. The idea of a home, a family and financial security was almost too much for her to comprehend. Oh please , she prayed silently. Please let my dreams come true.
    She wanted an average life in the suburbs with an average two point four children.
    Alice craved normal so much. And after her topsy-turvy upbringing and the way her parents had dragged their children around the world from one good cause to another, she hungered for ordinary.
    At first, she listened attentively to every word, thinking she’d learn of her inheritance soon. The lawyer droned on and Alice drifted into dreams of the future while various persons around the hall let out excited squeaks and jumped up and down. Financially independent and debt free. The idea, the potential benefits filled her with exhilaration. Steven knew about the