Page 50 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume
I shake my head and laugh. “Well, despite the long drive, the family drama, the lack of hotel staff, a murder mystery weekend in a hotel potentially full of ghosts, an ice shower, and a non-sex-related injury, I’m glad to be here with you,” I say softly.
“Tris.” He strokes the back of my hand with his thumb as our joined hands rest against the pristine white tablecloth.
“Yeah?” I pick up my water glass and take a sip.
He swallows and shifts in his seat, and I wonder what’s making him so nervous. “I just wanted to say that I’m so glad you choked on an ice cube.”
I laugh as I swallow and splutter. Coughing hard, I grab the napkin to cover my mouth.
“Are you alright?”
I nod and suck in a deep breath, wiping the tears that have escaped beneath my glasses. “Oh my god, Danny, are you trying to re-create the moment we met?”
“No.” He chuckles and takes my hand once more. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m so glad my work colleagues dragged me to some random pub in Hackney that night, and I’m so glad I met you. This past year, even with all the craziness, has been the best year of my life, and you have been the best part of it.”
“Danny.” I squeeze his hand. “I feel the same the way. You’re the best part of every day and have been since I met you.”
“Tris, I–”
He’s suddenly cut off by a weird tinkling, clattering noise.
When we look across the room, it’s to see Dilys shuffling towards our table, her gnarled hands tightly clutching the handles of a champagne bucket. Inside, the bottle rattles against the sides due to her shaky grip. Danny rises instantly to help her, but her glare in response stops him dead. They stand in a silent stare-off until she narrows her eyes. He immediately sits like he’s been chastised.
She resumes her slow amble to the table. We watch as she lifts the bucket with effort, setting it on the edge of the table and then pushing it towards us.
I’m about to open my mouth to say thank you when she looks down, retrieving one and then another champagne flute from the wide pocket of her server’s apron. Placing them down beside the bucket, she finally pulls out another card and sets it on the table, tapping it with a slightly discoloured nail.
Thank you for your custom, please have a nice day.
I’m beginning to think she doesn’t speak at all, and I wonder if it’s a conscious choice or if she’s not able to for some reason.
“Thank you, Dilys,” Danny says, startling me out of my thoughts.
“Yes, thank you, Dilys,” I add.
Nodding, she turns and shuffles away.
“Anyway, as I was saying.” Danny moves the bucket and glasses to one side and once again takes my hand. “I love you, Tris.”
“I love you too.” I grin at him.
“And I was wondering… well, I mean, I was thinking… Tris, will you m–”
Whatever he’s about to say is drowned out by my phone, which appears to have had the volume turned up to maximum levels. Nearly all of the guests scattered around the room turn to stare because a very loud rendition ofYes Sir, I Can Boogie,by the seventies duo Baccara—one of Dad’s favourites—shatters the quiet, intimate ambiance of the room.
“You should take it,” Danny says, knowing it’s Lois calling.
“Hi, Lois. Is Dad okay?” I say as soon as I’ve hit the call button.
“Hello, Tristan,” Lois replies. “Yes, Martin is fine. I’m sorry, I know it’s a bit late. I meant to call earlier, but Mr Dale fell and broke his hip.”
“It’s fine. Dad’s okay, then?”
“Yes, he’s doing much better. He’s still under the weather, but he’s not sleeping as much. He’s been up and sitting in his chair a couple of times although he does keep dozing off. He also managed some soup too.”
I let out a deep breath in relief. “Thank you so much.”
“I’ll check in with you again, but just relax and have a good time. You and Danny deserve a bit of a break. Anyway, I have to go. I need to make sure Mr Dale’s notes are filed in his care plan. Unless you have any questions?”