A CHEER WENT UP WHEN Rafferty got to work. They were all there; Tim Smales, Beardy, Mary Carmody, Luke their Video-man and Sam Dally the pathologist. Only Llewellyn, still in Spain, was missing.
‘You’ve heard the news, then?’
‘The blooming Town Cryer’s been out for you, me duck,’ Bill Beard told him. ‘Little girl, is that right?
Rafferty nodded proudly. ‘Neeve Catherine Joanna.’
‘Very nice. Just don’t expect this much of a show for your second. We got a collection up and got you this.’ He thrust a huge gaily-wrapped parcel into his arms.
Rafferty felt the tears well up.
‘No blubbing, now.’
‘Yes. Rafferty, open your present, and then maybe we can all get back to work.’ Superintendent Bradley’s voice, of course.
Rafferty concentrated on opening his parcel while the watery eyes faded.
