‘Is Mr Bob coming today?'
Mark was wearing his Police Cadet cap, tilted back on his head at a rakish angle, balanced carefully but still precariously.
Alison Higgins shook her head. Not today, Mark, I'm afraid. Not for a wee while. Off you go and play now.' The child turned and began to climb the stairs slowly, one hand on his hat.
It's awful, isn't it?' said Leona McGrath, as Higgins slung her coat on the antique mirrored stand in the hall, fluffing her hair back into place. Will he be okay?'
The Superintendent looked at her and shrugged, as they walked into the living room where Marshall Elliot stood, with his back to the fire. She nodded him a quick 'Hello.'
`His poor wife,' said Leona. 'I feel so sorry for her. When they told me about Roly, it was a huge shock, certainly, but that was it. In that instant, my life had changed but at least I knew it. But there she is, poor Mrs Skinner, not knowing whether he'll live or not. I couldn't stand being in that sort of limbo.'
It's not Mrs: it's Dr Skinner.'
‘God makes it worst, means they won't be able to tell her anything but the plain truth’
`Doctor or not, Sarah would raise hell if they tried to kid her on: said Higgins. 'She's a tough lady. She'll survive even if he doesn't. She's good for the boss, you know. He used to be a very private guy, until she came along. She brought him out of himself, made him more demonstrative. He laughs more than he used to, and he just dotes on the new baby.
If he dies, Sarah won't just fade away. She'll see it as her duty to make sure that no one ever forgets him.'
Leona McGrath stood by the doorway to the conservator and stared out at the greenery arranged around the Cane furniture.
`Yes,' she said at last. 'That's very well put. That's what I’ve been coming to realise too.'