Assuming it was a big win, tens of millions.
Engage a solicitor to ensure that it stayed 100% private with dire consequences for the Lottery if it came out in any way from them.
Take a very small amount to live on for the next year. Put the rest into a variety of investments, 1/3 each. 1/3 in high return moderate risk, 1/3 in low risk moderate return and 1/3 in 0 risk low return.
Spend the next 3 months in a health farm getting rid of the overweight, then spend the rest of that year pottering around as if I was looking for work whilst doing stuff in the home.
After the year I would own up to the family that we had made a very small, modest win, on the Lottery, some time in the last year and that we would parcel out some sums of money to each of the children as a one time gift.
Then stop pretending to do work stuff and slowly spend increasing amounts on the houses in France. Also buy a home back in Scotland. Modest and comfortable. Explain the purchases in terms of good investments which have brought high return.
I would then spend increasing sums of money both travelling and enjoying life. Good wine and champagne cellars. It would be expected of someone who has won a reasonable sum on the Lottery and invested it well; without raising questions about just exactly how much was won.
Mrs S and I have spent a reasonable amount of time on thinking this through because of the size of our family. This is why I know we won’t win…..
