Clash of Wills

By Robert Bell

When informed his father had died, Ray knew he had to do the right thing, even though they'd not spoken in years. Determined to face his demons, he returned to his England, only to discover the realities weren't as he'd imagined and that a world of new problems had to be faced.
There was one particular demon. Shirley.
He made the vultures wait. There was no other family; the funeral had to wait until he could attend. The facts were simple, or so he thought
Fact: His father was dead.
Fact: He could finally speak his mind.
Fact: Shirley had stolen his inheritance.
Fact: He needed to prepare.
Fact: He was dreading every minute of the trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Bell
• Release date: Mar 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301375615

Robert Bell

Robert Bell was born in the UK and after years of visits finally relocated to Thailand 7 years ago. Initially he lived in Pattaya, but has now relocated to Udon Thani in the North East [Isaan] of Thailand.His first novel, Rough Diamonds, which he has made available for free download, draws heavily on his experiences in his early years living in Thailand, and frequent trips before then. Many of the more surprising events actually happened to him, although they are set in a fictional bar. The characters take traits from various guys he has met in Thailand, as do the locations.The story of the characters, and venues, Robert created continues in Diamond Fellowship and Facets of Thai Diamonds. History is revealed, and they set up a business empire.In his fourth book, Final Closure, a past that Paul Swift thought he'd left behind in Germany, comes to control the present. The fictional sois that Robert created are the backdrop to this thriller, but the characters are new. They realise however, that it isn't Final as his latest book, The Fifth Man, follows Paul as he tracks down the puppet master. Robert is working on a further instalment of the Thai Diamonds story, provisionally entitled 'Polished Diamonds'A short story marks a departure for Robert. The first, 'Clash of Wills' is the story of set in North Yorkshire where Ray returns to take care of his father's funeral and finds things aren't as expected, as he slowly discovers the truth about his father.His time living in Isaan has exposed him to 'Isaan Black Magic' which was the inspiration for two books. 'Run Away From the Tiger, Face The Crocodile' relates the journey of Martin and Rene to overcome their demons at a 'temple' in North East Thailand. They have a feeling that they are dealing with forces they don't understand. In 'The Sesame Seed Burns Before The Cashew Nut Cooks' Sean visits Thailand and meets Tam. Tam believes in Black magic but the events which take place in Udon shake that belief'Filipino Cruz' sees the backdrop change from Thailand to Manila as four young guys decide on their future. The follow up, 'Thai Cruz' sees them visit Thailand. The story will conclude in 'Cruz Control'.For more information visit http://thaidiamondbooks.moonfruit.com

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Clash of Wills

By Robert Bell

Copyright 2013 Robert Bell

Smashwords Edition

ISBN : 9781301375615

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Morning Call

Ray answered his mobile. Mr Raymond Donovan?

He glanced at the clock. Yes, who’s this? What do you want? It’s 4am!

Sorry, I didn’t realise. It’s June, I’m the night manager at Winburn House. Your father, Jeffrey, he passed away about four hours ago. Your mother was with him. She asked me not to call you, but there are specific instructions from your father on file.

My mother! My Mother died twelve years ago, who are you, what are you talking about. Suddenly Ray was awake, and angry.

Shirley. Sorry if I misunderstood. I always assumed she was his wife, she acted like it. My mistake, I only came to work here two months ago.

If my father remarried he never told me. Shirley, that! Ray suddenly thought better of what he was about to say. Shirley was his neighbour. They were very good friends. Dirty laundry could be aired later. So what happened? Was it sudden? No one informed me that he was near the end.

Your. Sorry, Shirley was here all day. He was fading fast. He was sleeping. The doctor said it was peaceful in the end. Shirley said not to worry you.

I guess I should do something. Does, sorry, did he have a solicitor? What happens to the body?

Shirley gave me the contact details of his solicitor, would you like them by email. She also requested that I contacted a funeral home to collect the body, so she could start making arrangements.

‘No! Ray was fully awake. That bitch does nothing. I’m his only family, I’ll arrange it. Send me their details. Tell Shirley that my father is my responsibility. If she interferes, she’ll have me to deal with, and my lawyers. I want the email within the hour."

Ray hadn’t drunk for three years. He walked downstairs and out to the 7-eleven. Sorry sir, we can’t sell alcohol at this time.

Fuck you! he screamed as he walked next door to a local shop, and bought a bottle of whisky.

He went back to his small room. He’d sold his house in Pattaya to pay for his father’s care. He had wanted the bitch to know that he could, and that there was no way she was selling his father’s flat to pay for things, not whilst he was alive. Now he was sat in his 30 square metre room, waiting. He poured himself a large whiskey and sat looking at the screen, drumming his fingers on the desk. Where was the fucking email?

He had started to search the phone number when an email arrived from Winburn House. He opened it, and then fired terse emails to the solicitor, funeral home and Shirley. He was in charge, was there a will. The funeral was his responsibility. He poured himself another glass of whisky. Even in death, his father was rejecting him. Why hadn’t anyone called to say he was close to death, that maybe he had one last chance to see his father. He realised he wouldn’t have gone, but that wasn’t the point. He went back to bed.

Ray woke late in the afternoon. What a horrible dream he thought. Then he saw the half empty bottle of whisky, and open laptop. Three new messages.

He needed a coffee, except he didn’t have any. He sat down, took a drink from the bottle and opened his inbox. Which was the lesser of the evils. He decided on the lawyer.

‘Dear Mr Donovan.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. Mrs Wright has already informed me of your father’s death. I can confirm that I am executor, appointed by your father in his last will and testament. You are named as residuary legatee after specific bequests to Mrs Wright of fifty thousand and five thousand to a local cancer charity. There are no specific requests for his funeral.

C Barnes - Solicitor’

The bitch. Why had his father not