Free Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum

get me to sign on the dotted line; he was coming into a stack of money. I know it was the wrong thing to do – sign without having a lawyer or accountant go through everything – but I was just so tired; just wanted it to be over and to start getting on with my life.’ She smiled sadly. ‘What a bloody idiot, right?’ she added, with a deep sigh.
    â€˜Not at all, not at all,’ Des said, patting her hand. ‘You did what you needed to do – and that was the right thing for you at the time. There’s nothing to beat yourself up over. You were conned, plain and simple. You just need to decide what to do about it now.’
    â€˜Nothing. There’s nothing I can do,’ she said, burying her face in her hands.
    One hundred and fifty thousand dollars – half of that payout – would probably have been enough to do the subdivision and most of the renovating.
    â€˜If only I’d known before I signed,’ she said.
    â€˜Unfortunately, my dear, I think that was the point,’ Des said, looking sadly at his daughter and shaking his head slowly.
    Jake was frowning. ‘I don’t want to pry or anything, but didn’t you and John only recently separate?’ he asked.
    â€˜Yes, just over a month ago. What difference does that make?’
    â€˜Well, I thought you had two years to settle financial matters.’
    â€˜I told you. We already have.’
    â€˜But if you can prove he lied about his assets…’
    â€˜I appreciate your concern, Jake, but it’s too late.’
    â€˜Listen. What I’m saying is that you might be able to reclaim – there’s a two-year window; I’m almost certain of it.’
    Emily wasn’t sure if he was excited, frustrated, or angry – he was getting quite animated and considerably louder.
    â€˜At least ask the advice of a decent lawyer. And if you can’t afford to, I’ll bloody well pay for it! I don’t want to see a friend of mine ripped off.’
    Jake’s face was now quite red. Definitely angry, Emily decided. She stared at him, wondering at his sudden change in manner.
    â€˜Sorry, I just hate to see injustice,’ he said, getting up and starting to pace back and forth alongside the kitchen window.
    Emily watched him, still surprised at his outburst.
    Des cleared his throat before speaking. ‘Jake, one of the things we need to remember is that this is a very small district…’
    â€˜Why should that make a difference?’
    â€˜It shouldn’t, but unfortunately it does. If Emily were to go for what you and I know to be her fair share, she’d run the risk of being run out of town – shunned at the very least.’
    â€˜You cannot be serious! This is the twenty-first century!’
    â€˜But in some ways not.’ Des sighed. ‘It’s hard to believe, but such things do go on.’
    Emily looked at Jake’s confused expression.
    â€˜The farmers around here are like a protected species, and if they’re threatened – especially by a woman – they close ranks,’ she explained.
    Jake’s eyebrows rose sharply.
    â€˜They won’t actually tar and feather you and drive you out into the scrub,’ she said with a tight laugh, ‘but I have seen people’s lives made very difficult.’
    â€˜So leave, then. Pack up and leave.’
    â€˜But why should she?’ Des said.
    â€˜If it’s what it takes to get her fair share – what’s legally hers – why not? You’re entitled to something.’
    â€˜I already got something – forty thousand,’ Emily said quietly.
    â€˜Well pardon my French, but that’s bullshit! If John has just received three hundred thousand – half of that should be yours.’
    Emily shook her head. ‘Anyway, it’s not just about the money. It’s about being able to hold my head up – and my parents being able to as