Chapter 10

"Would you rather get away from here and come back to my room?" asked David gently. "It's got a double bed."

Moira nodded and David collected her suitcase. Not a word was said until they were there and in bed where Moira spooned back against him and pulled his right arm round her.

"I love you, my Dai," she said softly.

David squeezed her gently and listened as her breathing slowed and she slept. He did not sleep immediately himself but turned over in his mind all that had happened and how best to help Moira recover fully. He was aware that she had no longer loved her father, merely showing a sense of duty and some respect, but to have him publicly disown her must have been deeply hurtful. Daniel might be able to help on that score. They needed to get in touch with him today anyway. He hoped that Daniel would offer to wind up his father's affairs. The sooner he get could get Moira away from Perth and all its unhappy connotations the better. The more he thought the more he realised that gentleness, love, patience and compassion, not sloppy compassion but almost firm compassion, were what were needed to get her over things and that love was the most important. He smiled. That should not be too difficult. Finally he dozed off himself.

It was just gone half past five when he woke. Moira was still dead to the world. He lay there for a few minutes gathering his thoughts again before slipping out of bed and putting the kettle on for some tea. It was the rattle of the teacups being placed on their saucers that woke Moira.

"Uh!" she exclaimed sitting up and looking round her before she realised where she was.

"Hello, my Moira. Cuppa coming up."

He poured two cups and then went over and sat on the edge of the bed. He took her face in his hands and gave her a soft kiss. She smiled back and touched his cheek.

"Stay there and keep warm, sweety. I'll bring you a cup in a minute. Biscuit?"

"No thanks."

A couple of minutes later David was back with the tea and sat beside her. They drank their tea in companionable silence before David spoke.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, my Dai, but I'd like to have a bath and wash all the remnants away."

"I'm sure you would and if you ask very nicely I might even wash your back for you."

She grinned and his heart turned over. "Are you sure that would be proper?"

"Very proper. De rigeur!"

"Oh well, in that case yes please."

That earned her another sweet kiss and David took her cup and saucer. She went off to run the bath. While it filled she unpacked, hung up her clothes and undressed. She went back to the bathroom, tested the water, climbed in and lay back with a sigh.

David put the lid down and sat on the lavatory.

Finally, Moira started to wash, first her hands and face followed by her neck and arms. Next she stood up and turned to face the wall as she soaped her front. She looked over her shoulder, grinned impishly and held out the soap to David who rose and took it.

"Monkey!" he grinned back and started to wash her back. He did not finish there.

"That will be sufficient, young man. Ay'm quaite capable of washing may own derrière," pronounced Moira.

"But not with such admiration and love."

Moira snorted and David was delighted again.

Afterwards he dried her which largely consisted of wrapping her in the towel and hugging her.

Once they were dressed David took her hands. "Now, my sweet love, it's almost half past six and the witching hour. Later we need to go and find some sups. In the meanwhile I think you ought to give Daniel a ring.

Moira nodded.

"Would you rather I left you alone?"

"Don't you dare!"

He kissed the tip of her nose. "What would you like to drink?"

"Whisky and soda."

"Sot!"

"What are you going to drink, Mr Ingles?"

"Whisky and soda."

"Sot to you, too!" She grinned and kissed the tip of his nose.

David delved into his suitcase and pulled out a bottle of whisky. "Contraband, all the way from Sierra Leone!"

"You are a clever boy and have you got some wildly exotic and expensive scent for me?"

David delved again and produced exactly that. "Chanel," he announced and, dropping to one knee, presented it to her.

She looked at it and then, dropping to her knees, flung her arms round his neck and kissed him, really kissed him. "Thank you, darling," she whispered and kissed him again, marginally more gently.

David poured their drinks. Moira took a sip of hers and then handed it back to him.

"Yum! Thanks!" She pointed to the armchair. "Sit!"

She collected her phone from her bag and sat on his knee, taking her drink back and sipping again from it. She rang Daniel turning on the loudspeaker.

"Hi, Moira. Nice surprise."

"Hi, Daniel. I've got some important news. Father died this afternoon."

There was a short silence at the other end. "Another heart attack?"

"Yes."

"I can hardly say I'm sorry."

"No."

"Were you there?"

"Yes."

"Tell me more."

Moira did so, the whole day's worth. There was another silence.

"My poor Moira. I'm glad David was there for you."

"So am I," interjected David.

"I don't know what would have happened if he hadn't been," added Moira."

"So what are your plans?"

"We want to leave as soon as possible but we've got to give statements to the police tomorrow. I don't know whether we've got to be present at the inquest whenever that is but the police should be able to tell us that tomorrow. Then we need to put all his affairs in order and organise his funeral."

"Don't worry about that, Moira. I'll deal with all that."

"Would you really, Daniel? That would be an immense relief."

"No problem. Just leave the key in the usual place. What about Mum?"

"They haven't moved her yet but it won't be long. I'll give Dr Rankin your number and get him to let you know when and where."

"OK. I'll keep in touch. Look after her, David."

"I surely will."

"I know you will and thanks. 'Bye, Moira love."

"'Bye, Danny Boy."