2. Explain the meaning of the underlined parts of sentences by paraphrasing and commenting on them.

a) ‘It will all be done and dusted next Wednesday,’ he announced.

THE BUTLER HANDED Sir Giles his post on a silver tray. Giles flicked quickly through it, as he did every morning, separating the long, thin, brown envelopes, which he placed to one side, from the white, square ones which he would open immediately. Among the envelopes that caught his attention that morning was a long, thin white one that bore a Bristol postmark. He tore it open. He pulled out a single sheet of paper addressed To Whom It May Concern. Once he’d read it, he looked up and smiled at Virginia, who had joined him for a late breakfast. ‘It will all be done and dusted next Wednesday,’ he announced. Virginia didn’t look up from her copy of the Daily Express. She always began the morning with a cup of black coffee and William Hickey, so she could find out what her friends were up to, and which debutantes were hoping to be presented at court that year, and which had no chance. ‘What will be done and dusted?’ she asked, still not looking up. ‘Mama’s will.’

b) It amused him to see that Miss Barrington was wearing blue stockings.

Mr Siddons entered the room, and was not surprised to find that everyone who had received the To Whom It May Concern letter was present. He sat down at his desk and peered at the hopeful faces. In the front row sat Sir Giles Barrington and his fiancée, Lady Virginia Fenwick, who was even more striking in person than the photograph he’d seen of her in Country Life soon after the couple had announced their engagement. Mr Siddons was looking forward to making her acquaintance. In the second row, seated directly behind them, were Mr Harry Clifton and his wife Emma, who was sitting next to her sister, Grace. It amused him to see that Miss Barrington was wearing blue stockings.

c) ‘But then I never understood how the Prince of Wales could give up the throne for an American divorcee.’

‘Far more sober. Just the facts, no speculation. But Billy Collins tells me there’s a photograph of Cleopatra on the front pages of the Mail and the Express, and the Mirror’s headline is “Battle of the Cats”.’ ‘How can it have come to this?’ said Emma. ‘What I’ll never understand is how Giles could have allowed that woman to stop his own family attending the wedding.’ ‘I can’t understand it either,’ said Harry, ‘but then I never understood how the Prince of Wales could give up the throne for an American divorcee. I suspect your mother was right. Giles is simply besotted with the woman.’ ‘If my mother had wanted me to give you up,’ said Emma, ‘I would have defied her.’ She gave him a warm smile. ‘So I have some sympathy with my brother.’

d) The one thing Giles and Emma were able to agree on was that it would be wiser for the case to be heard in a closed court with a judge presiding, rather than risking the unpredictable whims of a jury and relentless hounding by the press.

THE ONE THING Giles and Emma were able to agree on was that it would be wiser for the case to be heard in a closed court with a judge presiding, rather than risking the unpredictable whims of a jury and relentless hounding by the press. The Hon. Mr Justice Cameron was selected to preside over the case, and both counsel assured their clients that he was a man of probity, wisdom and common sense in equal proportions. Although the press assembled in great numbers outside court No. 6, good morning and good night were the only comments they got from either party. Giles was represented by Sir Cuthbert Makins KC, while Emma and Grace had selected Mr Simon Todd KC to put their case, although Grace made it clear that she would not be attending proceedings as she had far more important things to do.

e) If I were given the choice, I’d just bang both your heads together,’ was her final comment on the subject.

Giles was represented by Sir Cuthbert Makins KC, while Emma and Grace had selected Mr Simon Todd KC to put their case, although Grace made it clear that she would not be attending proceedings as she had far more important things to do. ‘Like what?’ asked Emma. ‘Like teaching clever children, rather than listening to arguments from childish grown-ups. If I were given the choice, I’d just bang both your heads together,’ was her final comment on the subject.

f) …whether the late Lady Barrington was of sufficiently sound mind to put her signature to a long and complex document, with far-reaching ramifications, only hours before she died.

Sir Cuthbert rose slowly from his place and tugged the lapels of his long black gown before addressing the court. ‘I speak on behalf of both parties when I say that sadly, m’lud, that has not been possible.’ ‘Then let us proceed, Sir Cuthbert, with your opening statement.’ ‘If it so pleases your lordship, in this case I represent the plaintiff, Sir Giles Barrington. The case, m’lud, concerns the validity of a will, and whether the late Lady Barrington was of sufficiently sound mind to put her signature to a long and complex document, with far-reaching ramifications, only hours before she died. I submit, m’lud, that this frail and exhausted woman was in no position to make a considered judgement that would affect the lives of so many people. I shall also show that Lady Barrington had executed an earlier will, some twelve months prior to her death, when she was in rude health, and had more than enough time to consider her actions. And to that end, m’lud, I would like to call my first witness, Mr Michael Pym.’

g) Siddons entered the courtroom as if it was his front parlour, and delivered the oath like a seasoned professional.

‘Will you call your next witness, Mr Todd.’ ‘Yes, m’lud. I call Mr Desmond Siddons.’ Siddons entered the courtroom as if it was his front parlour, and delivered the oath like a seasoned professional. ‘Would you please state your name and occupation?’ ‘My name is Desmond Siddons. I am the senior partner of Marshall, Baker and Siddons, and I have been the Barrington family’s solicitor for the past twenty-three years.’ ‘Let me begin by asking you, Mr Siddons, if you were responsible for executing the earlier will, which Sir Giles contends was in fact Lady Barrington’s final testament.’ ‘I was, sir.’

h) ‘Mr Siddons has had a long and distinguished career in the legal profession, and does not deserve such a slur on his character.’

‘No, I didn’t. After all, there was only one major change from the earlier will.’ ‘If you didn’t take Lady Barrington through the document clause by clause, Mr Siddons, we only have your word for that.’ ‘M’lud, that is an outrageous suggestion,’ said Mr Todd, leaping to his feet. ‘Mr Siddons has had a long and distinguished career in the legal profession, and does not deserve such a slur on his character.’ ‘I agree with you, Mr Todd,’ said the judge. ‘Sir Cuthbert, you will withdraw that statement.’ ‘I apologize, m’lud,’ Sir Cuthbert said, offering a slight bow before turning back to the witness once again. ‘Mr Siddons, in the earlier will, who was it that suggested that all thirty-six pages should be initialled with the letters EB?’

i) It’s the first I’ve heard of it, m’lud. I’m as much in the dark as you are.’

Siddons stared desperately up at the bench, and blurted out, ‘If you were to read the letter, m’lud, that Lady Barrington addressed to you, it might help you decide if she knew exactly what she was doing.’ ‘Letter?’ said the judge, looking puzzled. ‘I know nothing of a letter. It was certainly not among the court’s bundle of papers. Are you aware of such a letter, Sir Cuthbert?’ ‘It’s the first I’ve heard of it, m’lud. I’m as much in the dark as you are.’ ‘That’s because,’ Siddons spluttered, ‘it was handed to me only this morning. I haven’t even had time to alert Mr Todd to its existence.’ ‘What are you talking about, man?’ said the judge. Every eye was fixed on Siddons as he took an envelope from an inside pocket and held it aloft as if it were on fire. ‘This is the envelope that was given to me this morning, m’lud.’

j) If you both agree, perhaps it might be wise for you, Simon, to call Mr Clifton as a witness under oath, and see if he can throw some light on how he came into possession of this envelope in the first place.

‘I agree,’ said Sir Cuthbert, ‘but frankly we’re damned if we do, and we’re damned if we don’t. Because if you don’t open the envelope now it’s found its way into court, whichever side loses this case will certainly have grounds for an appeal.’ ‘I fear that may well be the case,’ said the judge. ‘If you both agree, perhaps it might be wise for you, Simon, to call Mr Clifton as a witness under oath, and see if he can throw some light on how he came into possession of this envelope in the first place. What do you think, Cuthbert?’ ‘I have no objection to that,’ said Sir Cuthbert. ‘Good. However, let me assure you,’ continued the judge, ‘that I will not open the envelope until I’ve heard Mr Clifton’s evidence, and I will only do so then if you both approve. And should I do so, it will have to be in the presence of anyone who might be affected by the outcome of these proceedings.’

k) Curiouser and curiouser,’ said the judge, ignoring the interruption.

‘So you have no idea what is in this envelope, Mr Clifton?’ said the judge, holding it up. ‘None whatsoever.’ ‘And we’re expected to believe that,’ said Virginia, loud enough for everyone to hear. ‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ said the judge, ignoring the interruption. ‘I have no more questions for you, Mr Clifton. Mr Todd?’ ‘Thank you, m’lud,’ said Mr Todd, rising from his place. ‘You told his lordship, Mr Clifton, that Lady Barrington said she’d written a new will. Did she give you any reason why she had done so?’ ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that Elizabeth loved her son, but she told me she feared if he were to marry that dreadful woman Lady Virginia—’

l) ‘This is hearsay, and clearly inadmissible.’

‘There’s no doubt in my mind that Elizabeth loved her son, but she told me she feared if he were to marry that dreadful woman Lady Virginia—’ ‘M’lud,’ said Sir Cuthbert, leaping up from his place. ‘This is hearsay, and clearly inadmissible.’ ‘I agree. It will be struck from the record.’ ‘But, m’lud,’ intervened Mr Todd, ‘the fact that Lady Barrington left her Siamese cat, Cleopatra, to Lady Virginia rather suggests—’ ‘You have made your point, Mr Todd,’ said the judge. ‘Sir Cuthbert, do you have any questions for this witness?’

m) She was the family’s rock.

‘So it must have come as a surprise to learn that shortly after you had left, she put her signature to a complex document some thirty-six pages in length.’ ‘I found it inconceivable,’ said Giles, ‘and still do.’ ‘Did you love your mother, Sir Giles?’ ‘I adored her. She was the family’s rock. I only wish she was still with us, so this whole sorry business need never have arisen.’ ‘Thank you, Sir Giles. Please stay there, as Mr Todd may wish to question you.’ ‘I fear I might have to take the odd risk,’ Todd whispered to Siddons before he stood to address the witness. ‘Sir Giles, let me start by asking if you have any objection to his lordship opening the envelope that is addressed to him?’

n) ‘Madam, you will desist from these interjections,’ said the judge, glaring down at her.

‘I have no objection to the letter being opened,’ said Giles, ignoring his wife. ‘If it was written on the day of my mother’s death, it will surely show that she was incapable of signing a document as important as a will. And if it was written before July the twenty-sixth, it is unlikely to be of any significance.’ ‘Does that mean that you accept Mr Clifton’s account of what took place after you’d seen your mother for the last time?’ ‘No, it most certainly does not,’ said Virginia. ‘Madam, you will desist from these interjections,’ said the judge, glaring down at her. ‘If you offer any further opinions, other than from the witness box, I shall have no choice but to have you removed from the court. Do I make myself clear?’

o) ‘Although I believe we had the case wrapped up until that last-minute intervention.’

‘Why ever did you allow the judge to open the letter, Giles?’ Virginia hissed from the other side of the courtroom. ‘Given the circumstances, Lady Virginia, your husband had little choice,’ said Sir Cuthbert. ‘Although I believe we had the case wrapped up until that last-minute intervention.’ ‘What can the judge be doing?’ asked Emma, unable to mask how nervous she was. Harry took his wife’s hand. ‘It won’t be long now, darling.’ ‘If the judgment goes against us,’ said Virginia, ‘can we still claim that whatever was in the envelope is inadmissible?’

p) ‘I was fascinated to discover that Lady Barrington and I share a hobby, although I confess she was a far more accomplished exponent than I am…

‘I have now had the opportunity to study the contents of the envelope.’ Everyone’s eyes remained fixed on him. ‘I was fascinated to discover that Lady Barrington and I share a hobby, although I 66 confess she was a far more accomplished exponent than I am, because on Thursday the twenty-sixth of July, she completed The Times crossword puzzle, leaving only one clue blank, which I have no doubt she did in order to prove her point. The reason I found it necessary to leave you was that I needed to visit the library in order to get hold of a copy of The Times for the following day, Friday July the twenty-seventh – the day after Lady Barrington died. I wanted to check if she had made any mistakes in the previous day’s crossword puzzle, which she hadn’t, and to confirm the answer to the one clue she’d left blank. Having done so, I am in no doubt that Lady Barrington was not only capable of signing a will, but was well aware of the significance of its contents. I am therefore ready to pass judgment in this case.’