Inspector Morse 12 Death is Now My Neighbour

'Can I give you a lift anywhere?'

'Hello! No, thank you. I only live ...' Morse gestured vaguely up towards the A4O roundabout.

'Everything OK with you?'

'Will be - if you'd like to come along and inspect my penthouse suite.'

'I thought you said it was a flat'

Though clearly surprised to find Morse in his office over the Friday lunch-period, Strange refrained from his usual raillery.

'Can you nip in to see me a bit later this afternoon about these retirement forms?'

'Let's do it now, sir.'

'What's the rush?'

'I'm off this afternoon.'

'Official, is that?'

Yes, sir.'

Strange eyed Morse shrewdly. 'Why are you looking so bloody cheerful?'

'Well, another case solved ... ?'

'Mm. Where's Lewis, by the way?'

'There's still an awful lot of work to do.'

'Why aren't you helping him then?'

'Like I say, sir, I'm off for the weekend.'

You're lucky, matey. The wife's booked me for the lawn-mower.'

'I've just got the window-box myself.'

'Anything in it?'

Morse shook his head, perhaps a little sadly.

You, er, going anywhere special?' asked Chief Superintendent Strange.

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.

They may not mean to, but they do. They fill you with the faults they had

And add some extra, just for you (Philip Larkin, This Be the Verse')

FOR SEVERAL SECONDS after she opened her eyes, Janet McQueen had no idea whatsoever about where she was or what she'd been doing. Then, as she lay there in the green sheets, gradually it flooded back ...

'Ah! Can I perhaps begin to guess our destination?' she'd asked, as the car turned left at Junction 18 and headed south along the A46. 'B&B in Bath - is that what it's going to be?'

Tou'll see.'

As she had seen, for soon the Jaguar turned into the Circus, into Brock Street, and finally straight across a cobbled road, where it stopped beside a large magnolia tree. She looked at the hotel, and her green eyes

widened as she brought her ringless, manicured fingers together in a semblance of prayer.

'Beautiful!'

Morse had turned towards her then, as she sat beside him in her navy pin-striped suit; sat beside him in her V-necked emerald-silk blouse.

You're beautiful, too, Janet,' he said simply, and quietly.

'You've booked rooms for us here?

Morse nodded. 'Bit over the top, I know - but, yes, I've booked the Sarah Siddons suite for myself.'

'What have you booked for me?'

'That's also called the Sarah Siddons suite.'

She was smiling contentedly as the Concierge opened the passenger-seat door.

'Welcome to the Royal Crescent Hotel, madam!'

She'd felt important then.

And she'd loved it

Morse was already up - dressed, washed, shaved - and sitting only a few feet from her, reading The Times.

'Hello!' she said, softly.

He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the mouth. 'Headache?'