Read Chapter 4: — THE FIRST FAVOUR

Three days after Emma returned to Bristol, Uncle Peter’s brother, Martin, received a notice questioning his eligibility for a rural hardship grant.

The reason: a vehicle had been registered in his name.

Martin did not own a vehicle.

Daniel found the discrepancy while reviewing grant files.

The registration had occurred two days before the review.

Martin’s driving licence details had been used.

The vehicle belonged, until that week, to a Price-controlled landscaping company.

Daniel raised the issue internally.

His supervisor told him to leave it.

He did not.

A revised form appeared with Daniel’s electronic approval attached.

He had never approved it.

When he objected, he was accused of mishandling records and creating conflict with colleagues.

At the disciplinary meeting, somebody produced a perfect-looking audit trail.

Daniel left with a formal warning and his secondment under review.

That evening he called Emma.

“I owe you an apology.”

“For what?”

“I told you Gavin couldn’t do anything.”

“And?”

“I underestimated how many people are willing to do little things for him.”

Emma sat on the edge of her bed.

“Is my uncle going to lose the grant?”

“Probably, unless we prove the registration was fraudulent.”

“Can you?”

“Yes.”

He paused.

“Eventually.”

Emma almost laughed.

“That is the least reassuring reassurance I’ve ever heard.”

“I’m having a bad week.”

“So am I.”

For the first time, they spoke for more than ten minutes.