This Fourth Chair is Not Empty
Poetry and Art
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.”
It is 2009.
We eavesdrop into two venues, two conversations, a city solicitors’ family law practice on Crosby Road North,
and a lovely coffee shop at 122 St John’s Road just across the way in Waterloo, Liverpool.
A fairly stormy morning, although the strong winds off the Mersey have already dried the pavements,
so chairs and tables will soon reappear, including the one left out in St John’s Road last night accidentally,
and found up by the railway crossing first thing this morning.
Copper Kettle
122 St Johns Road
Thank goodness Andrew’s on a' ‘late’ today.
That’s no guarantee, lad. Andrew has his own clock, turns up when we least expect!! You know what he’s like!
A little giggle. Genuine, fun, but gently respectful, too.
Right, come on. Turn the sign Yvonne, let’s open. Ken’ll be across later, I’m sure, for a quick coffee, so let’s keep table 13 reserved for the moment.
The Board Room
34 Crosby Road North
There are four of us present. Called the boardroom because of its layout, it is equally a very impressive law library. The volumes of Halsbury, Jowitt, Archbold, Parker & Mellow, Land Law, English Jurisprudence… to name but a few.
What do you mean, Mr Webb?
I can only see you, me and my daughter here.
Mrs Doherty, this fourth chair is not empty, you know.
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.
A pause.
Calmness.
The chink of a cup as it returns gently to its saucer.
Oh, I see, Jean. (another pause…)
So, then it’s almost like your father’s here right now with us, Jean? Is THAT what you’re saying?!
A beautiful smile in reply.
A short while later, matters adjourned and instructions confirmed…
Upon leaving, Jean turned in the outer hall 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, Mam really got it, too.
I’ll see you over’t Copper Kettle no doubt soon.
Jean, come along dear. Mr Webb’s busy. Let’s cross over Crosby Road North to 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, is Steve!
28 June 2025
All Rights Reserved
LIVERPOOL
© 2025 Kenneth Thomas Webb
Digital artwork by Kenneth Thomas Webb
Written 6 November 2023
Sometimes, I’m reminded that digital art has rendered the subject drinking from two cups. Yep. I noticed that too. And I decided to keep it as it is because as the Copper kettle - and many other places will testify - I’m often seen with two or three cups on the table. haha.
Copper Kettle ~ a digital art representation by KTW
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.
