The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2900 by Angharad Copyright© 2016 Angharad

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This is a work of fiction any mention of real people, places or institutions is purely coincidental and does not imply that they are as suggested in the story.
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Fortunately Tom took my revelation that he rated me as a better teacher than he was, very well. In fact he roared with laughter—sort of a cross between a lion and a hyena. “Aye, weel I’ll hae tae agree then won’t I? Seeing as yer predecessor wis such a guid judge o’ teachers; but ye’re no a better scientist.”

“I’m not going to argue.”

“Look, aboot earlier on, ye’ve every richt tae feel angry, but we hae a protocol tae follow and we hae tae follow it. Jest think whit wud happen if we didnae and ye were appointed. The university cud be in an awfy mess and it widnae reflect weel on ye or I.”

“I’m going to apply for Bristol as well.”

“That’s up tae ye, but ye’re oot in front f’ Portsmouth.”

“As I’ve done the job for ages, I would hope so.”

“Are ye still mad at me?”

“No, Daddy, I’m not because I appreciate the position you’re in, but if I don’t get it, I shall resign.”

“Aye, that’s fair enough.”

“As soon as I know—I won’t be giving notice, I’ll just leave.”

“Ye’re no threatening me, are ye?”

“No, I don’t mean it like that simply if I’m not good enough for the job then apart from the fact I shall consider it an insult after how many times I’ve helped save the place, I won’t want anything to do with them and I will take the survey with me.”

“That wis originally mine.”

“You can’t have it all ways, I’ve given too much of my life to it to surrender it to anyone else now. Sorry, Daddy, but it’s the only weapon I have to respond with if I feel hard done by.”

“I think it’s a wee bit unnecessary.”

“That’s as maybe. I won’t mention it in the interview unless they ask. I’ve registered it all in my name, it goes where I go and Sammi’s software of course, belongs to her.”

“Hell hath no fury, it certainly disnae compared tae ye.”

“No it doesn’t does it. But if they decided to appoint someone else then as far as I’m concerned, Portsmouth is shit and I am off.”

“And whit if ye dinnae get Bristol?”

“I don’t need to work, do I? I might just make films and supervise my two nature reserves. I will of course rescind the agreement we have and work independently or with whichever university who recognises my value.”

“Ye’ll destroy yer department.”

“No, the university will—I’ll just be the instrument or catalyst.”

“Sae all ma work will gang doon the pan, will it?”

I shrugged, I was still rather raw about the whole thing so saving his legacy wasn’t a priority, seeing as I’d changed much of it anyway, it didn’t much matter to me either way.

“Whit aboot yer students?”

“What about them? If you appoint someone who’s better than I am, they’ll be in safe hands won’t they?” Not that I’ll care, I’ll be like enraged battleship if it happens.

“Ye disappoint me, Cathy.”

“I could say the same.”

“Aye, weel parent’s always disappoint their children.”

“So they do, or did. I’m determined not to do it to my kids.”

“We’ll see.” He sloped off to his study and I suspect he had more than his usual tipple. He was still in his study when I went to bed at half past eleven.

“What’s going on between you and Tom?” asked, no demanded, Simon when we were in bed.

“I’ve got to apply for my own job.”

“Yeah been there done that—not very nice. I threatened to withdraw my shares.”

“Goodness, what did they say?”

“I got the job.”

“It helps if your dad owns the business.”

“Nah, he wasn’t on the interview panel, conflict of interest stuff, not that he’d have any conflict about it, the bank comes first, always has.”

“The university won’t to me. If I don’t get the job I walk immediately.”

“Is that wise?”

“Probably not.”

“So why do it then?”

“To register my displeasure, I shall go and take anything of mine with me including the survey data and ownership and the study centres.”

“You’d take those too?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t that harm the university?”

“I wouldn’t care, I’d have gone.”

“I wouldn’t have thought you’d do something like that.”

“What they sow, so shall they reap.”

“Fine, I only asked.”

“I’m tired now, goodnight, darling,” I pecked him on the lips and turned over but couldn’t sleep, my head was whirring as my brain visited every conceivable outcome and worked through it.

I must have slept because I woke aware of something standing by my bedside. I opened my eyes and there in all her glory stood the Shekina. “Milady? Isn’t there a danger my husband will see you?”

“He can’t can he, not unless we grant him that privilege but he won’t anyway.”

“To what do I owe this honour, milady?”

“Your adopted father needs your help.” With that she was gone and I was left staring into the darkness wondering if I’d dreamt it all. I was sleepy and fuzzy and wasn’t quite sure what she’d said, something about Tom, was it?

I slipped out of bed and went for a wee, then I grabbed my dressing gown and slippers and padded down to his bedroom. I edged open the door but it was obvious he wasn’t there. According to his bedside clock it was two in the morning.

I descended the stairs nearly falling down them when I mini cannonball shot past me miaowing at the bottom before she shot into the kitchen. It was obvious that he wasn’t in any of the reception rooms so I went to enter his study. There was a strange noise emanating from within and I could see in the light from his desk lamp he was slumped in his chair.

“Oh Christ,” I muttered and rushed towards him. His face seemed contorted on one side. No not a stroke, I felt really sick. Is the universe going to take this man that I love like my father, like it took his predecessor? Not if I could help it.

I tried to rouse him, what’s that drill, can they speak, raise their arms—shit I can’t remember. His eye opened, just one, and he peered at me. He was dribbling and his chest was all wet. I grabbed a handful of tissues and patted him dry—well drier.

He looked confused, a feeling we shared at that moment before I realised that I might be able to help him. I took his hand and he squeezed mine. I felt something moving between us and I instinctively placed my other hand on his head. There was a freezing cold sensation and he groaned and seemed to slump even lower in the chair. Had I killed him?

I kept on at my task and sometime later, I don’t know how long, I felt him stir and the coldness ceased. He looked at me confused for a moment, “Cathy, whit are ye daeing here?”

“It’s three o’clock, I could ask you the same question.”

“Och, I fell asleep, one tae many drams.”

“C’mon, I’ll help you up to bed.”

“Och, I’m alricht, I jest haed the weirdest dream. I dreamt I wis dying and this lovely lady appeared tae me and said ye’d save me.”

“Too much water of life, I expect,” I said helping him stand.

“Aye mebbe, but it felt sae real, sae vivid and here ye are. Did ye save my life.”

“I dunno, I just realised you weren’t in bed and came to see where you were. Remember, Daddy, we’re a family and look after each other.”

“Aye, we dae.” He put his arm around me and hugged me and I had a great difficulty not bursting into tears. I loved him so much. As we slowly trudged up the stairs I silently thanked the Shekina for her help, both in waking me and giving me the tools to do the job. I left him getting ready for his bed and I suspect he was asleep quicker than I was. I heard his snoring as I fought to get to sleep again then I drifted off knowing all was well—for the moment at least.