The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2523 by Angharad Copyright© 2014 Angharad

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“Who was the victim?” asked Si as soon as we got home.

“One of our technicians.”

“What was it a burglary gone wrong?”

“No idea, but some miserable pig bashed his brains out.”

“No suspects?”

“Only an irascible dormouse who didn’t get her nuts.”

“I thought they were hibernating?”

“They are, although it’s quite mild really.”

“I thought you could control temperature in that super-duper box you had built.”

“I can, it’s already cooler than outside.”

“Wouldn’t it be cheaper to stick ’em in the freezer for six months?”

“Cheaper but futile—they’d all die.”

“End of problem.” He looked rather more awkward than he sounded.

“Si, that is the basis of our captive breeding programme, if we lose any we shrink the gene pool.”

“Get some fresh blood, then.”

“It isn’t quite that easy.”

Sure it is, get some randy males in, let them do what they do, fresh blood.”

“Which might also be carrying all sorts of parasites.”

“What the blood?”

“Yes, from viruses to nematodes.”

“Oh well, good job I’m not running your breeding programme then.”

“When we chip the mice in the wild we send off the syringe things we use for the blood to be tested for all sorts of things, including DNA.”

“DNA—why’s that in case of paternity suits?”

I shook my head, one day he’d grow up, except by then I’d be old and grey if not deceased.

David was still not his usual self seemingly a bit surly and short with the girls, a very unusual situation. As soon as the kitchen was clear I decided to have it out with him.

“Do you need to take any time off?”

“Not really, I’d rather work.”

“Fine—look I’m aware now that you’ve got some problems, if I can help...”

“Yeah. Just butt out.”

“David, I’m not sure what I’ve done to merit such insubordination, but I think an apology is in order.”

“Tough—stick your job as far up that well meaning arse as you can shove it. I quit.” He threw the tea towel he wore as an apron at me and stormed out, slamming the back door behind him. I was left staring at the door holding the cloth in my hands.

“When’s dinner, babes, I’m famished.”

“I don’t know.”

“Well ask David.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not, where is he?”

“Presumably in his cottage.”

“What’s he doing there?”

“I have no idea but he just resigned and stormed out.”

“Why, what did you say to him?”

“I simply asked him if he needed time off.”

“What for, it’s bloody Christmas or hadn’t you noticed?”

“Very funny.”

“You must have provoked him, this is David we’re talking of here.”

“I told you, I asked if he needed time off, given it appears Ingrid left him.”

“Ouch—timing—you women are positively vicious.”

“An’ he just walked.”

“He told me to butt out.”

“Quite right too.”

“Simon, he works for me, I told him he was being insubordinate.”

“And you wonder why he left?”

“If he didn’t I’d have to sack him.”

“What? Who’s gonna cook the dinner at Christmas?”

“Who did it before he came?”

“You did—but...”

“Well then.”

“But his are nicer and...”

“I should hope so he’s a professional.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. Look d’you want me to go and talk him round?”

“Feel free.”

Two minutes later he was pulling his coat on to go and see David. Part of me felt I should be furious that no one was supporting me—who was probably going to have to sort the dinner tonight. “David, your timing was perfect—you bastard.”

I’d just about worked out what he was cooking when Si came back in looking pleased with himself.

“So?”

“So, dear girl, he comes back on one condition.”

“He’s making conditions?”

“Yeah, well he wants you to apologise for being wrong.

“What?” I shrieked—I suspect Simon will have hearing problems for several weeks.

“That’s what he said.”

“No chance.”

“Babes, no offence, but I’m thinking of Christmas here—you don’t want to cook dinner then do you?”

“If you think I’m going to give in to blackmail, you’ve got another think coming. He cheeked me, I’m his employer. If he’d care to come to his senses and apologise to me, then I might forgive him and let him continue working here.”

“Cathy, have you gone stark staring mad? This is David, we’re talking about, not some two bit cleaner—the man is a genius.”

“He’s very good, I admit, but he overstepped the mark tonight.”

“Well he’s stressed, especially if Ingrid left him and took Hannah with her.”

“I’ll let him sleep on it, if he apologises tomorrow, he can keep his job.”

“Is that your last word on it?”

“Yes.”

He shook his head and left the kitchen muttering to himself. I accept David was special and I thought he fitted in very well—shows how much I know. I mean, what did I do wrong? I thought I was being a supportive employer, friend even, and he treats me like shit—no way Jose. If I let him do it once, he’ll do it again—I’ll sack him first.

I worked out what he was cooking and changed it to something I could do and quickly. We ate twenty minutes later, a beef goulash with rice and side vegetables. Dinner was rather quiet, almost subdued and I suppose I was a little more snappy than usual.

“Are you really going to let him go?” asked Stella as we cleaned up the kitchen.

“That’s up to him.”

“He’s as stubborn and proud as you—you’re certainly a Cameron, hen.”

“Where’s David?” asked Julie coming back for a coffee.

“He threw a wobbly when I offered to give him a couple of days off—Ingrid has left him.”

“He’ll probably be better off without her, though I think Hannah and he were getting on quite well.”

“I was trying to help and he told me where to go. I told him not to speak to me like he did and he told me in graphic detail where I could deposit my job.”

She smirked then realised it was no laughing matter. “Want me to speak to him?”

“Not tonight, sweetheart, I think it will only antagonise him.”

“How about a pay rise?”

“You’re joking, I might only be a woman but I refuse to be blackmailed by a man.”

“How about a woman?” she joked trying to lighten the atmosphere.

“That’s different...”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow, see if I can get him to come and talk with you—if I do, don’t you dare get on your high horse and spoil it.”

“Please don’t treat me like I have a learning problem, I’m mistress of this house and make the rules, not you, Missy.”

“Suit yourself, I’m off to bed.”

“What about your coffee?”

“F’get it.”

I made some tea and sat and drank it. I would cope, I had to but the prospect of this investigation at the university plus having to cook the meals, could prove the last straw. Time for bed.