Crimson by Shirley Conran

went on, “and annually consider whether to apportion any of the trust income to the beneficiaries named by you, and if so, how much.” 4”H40W much does a trust cost to runT Elinor whispered.
    in’s well-intentioned warnings had enervated her. r “The cost of setting it up would be about a thousand pounds, perhaps a little more, if property, such as the chaRteau, is involved. The yearly charge might be half a per cent of the trust value. The trustees could continue to work with your present bank, stockbroker, and other advisers.”
    “Would STG’continue to be my lawyer sT “Of course. In fact, should you wish, our firm could act as trustees.” Buzz’s head appeared around the door.
    “Two minutes more, Adam.” Then she saw Elinor’s pale face and said, “No, you’d better leave now.”
    “Two more minutes.” Adam smiled gravely at. Buzz, who hesitated, nodded, then shut the door.
    Adam looked at Elinor thoughtfully over the top of his horn-rimmed spectacles.
    “That reminds me. In my judgement, it would be best not to include Buzz in the trust. She pan be looked after by them exactly as you wish, in the same way as the girls but for many reasons, in our experience the experience of Swithin, Timmins and Grant, it is simplest to confine a family trust to family members only. And there are other legal reasons that I won’t bother you with.”
    “Are you sure Buzz will be properly looked after?” Elinor inquired anxiously.
    “I’m absolutely certain of that.” Adam shuffled his papers into order and stood up.
    “How long does it take to set up?” Immediately Adam understood the implications of “Elinor’s question. He said reassuringly, “It could be done in two weeks, but in an emergency overnight.”
    “Better do it as fast as possible,” Elinor murmured, ding, “I’d like you to explain everything to Buzz and the as soon as possible.”
     
    “I’m here to do whatever you wish,” Adam reassured her.
    “I’m happy to explain your wishes to Buzz and the girls … but only when your doctor allows such a meeting. We mustn’t tire you, Elinor.” That afternoon, all of them sitting on prim Directoire chairs arranged around Elinor’s sumptuous bed, Adam could see that the girls felt uneasy, as if they had suddenly realized that this was a formal occasion; something important was about to happen.
    Buzz clucked a bit to ease the atmosphere.
    “Them shorts you’re wearing don’t leave much to the imagination,” she said to Clare, who wore white tennis clothes.
    “Why didn’t you put on something pretty for your gran, like Anna belT Annabel had changed from her swimsuit into a bluebell silk dress.
    “Don’t nag, Buzz.” Miranda, in pink slacks and matching blouse, knew that she had passed the decency test.
    “Let’s start this meeting, Adam.” Gravely Adam said, “Your grandmother has decided to establish a family trust, for the benefit of you, her granddaughters.” In a carefully neutral voice, he then explained Elinor’s plan and stated the amount of money involved.
    “Just under nine million pounds!” Miranda gasped.
    Annabel’s mouth stayed half open.
    “Heavens, that’s … that’s about twenty-seven million dollarsP Clare spoke hesitantly.
    “That’s much too much money for just one person … or one family.” Detecting a certain frostiness from her grandmother’s direction, she added, “I mean nobody should have such a huge sum when half the world is starving.”
    Adam saw that Clare was behaving exactly as he had expected: ever the romantic idealist and liberal. Priding herself on her honesty, she would end up a loser. Starting now.
    “S How does a trust work?” Buzz asked warily. It a bit like setting up a company, but one run by instead of directors,” Adam explained.
    “To check that the trustees do their job properly, a trust protector is appointed, to act as a sort of policeman. The trust is funded by the person who sets it up in this case, Elinor and