This Fourth Chair is Not Empty
1987… Finally! I’ve got it. In English Law a Trust is a ‘real person’.
Remember Ken. Explain to your clients that the third chair, apparently empty, is not.
Barry, Senior Law Lecturer at Worcester circa 1984-1987
2023… we eavesdrop into a conversation…
There are four of us present.
What do you mean Mr Webb? I can only see you, me and my daughter here.
This fourth chair is not empty. The John Doherty Trust is seated here.
Yes, but Mr Webb. My husband has passed over, God rest his soul. Yes, and…
Mum, what Mr Webb is explaining is Dad’s Will Trust.
Oh, I see, Jean. It’s almost like your father’s here then with us, Jean? Is THAT what you’re saying?
A wonderful smile in reply.
Upon leaving, Jean turned and whispered.
Ken. The way you explained the will trust was, well, it was as if Daa was sitting here with us. I could tell, Mum really got it, too. I’ll see you over Copper Kettle no doubt soon.
Jean, come along dear. Mr Webb’s busy. Let’s cross over Crosby Road North for the Copper Kettle. Andrew, Debbie and Yvonne will put us up a nice pot of tea. Might even catch seeing Steve, too. Such a good lad!
19 February 2024
All Rights Reserved
LIVERPOOL
© 2023 Kenneth Thomas Webb
Digital artwork by Kenneth Thomas Webb
First published 6 November 2023
Copper Kettle
Ken Webb is a writer and proofreader. His website, kennwebb.com, showcases his work as a writer, blogger and podcaster, resting on his successive careers as a police officer, progressing to a junior lawyer in succession and trusts as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, a retired officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and latterly, for three years, the owner and editor of two lifestyle magazines in Liverpool.
He also just handed over a successful two year chairmanship in Gloucestershire with Cheltenham Regency Probus.
Pandemic aside, he spends his time equally between his city, Liverpool, and the county of his birth, Gloucestershire.
In this fast-paced present age, proof-reading is essential. And this skill also occasionally leads to copy-editing writers’ manuscripts for submission to publishers and also student and post graduate dissertations.
