The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike) Part 2046 by Angharad Copyright © 2013 Angharad All Rights Reserved.

Back at home I emailed Jason for news of Neal and he suggested they were close to arranging bail which I agreed to guarantee. I also told him Gloria was conscious and perhaps some sort of statement could be taken as an affidavit or the police invited to see her themselves. He told me he’d get back to me as soon as Neal was free.

Given my reputation with the forces of law and order, at least in this neck of the woods, you’d think they’d listen to me or my representative–but no–I suspect they actually fancy getting one over on me–but it ain’t gonna happen.

Stella had already fed little Lizzie so all Phoebe had to do was clean her up–she had no idea–so guess who had to show her how to do it. The milk was still in the fridge so Stella obviously gave her organic milk straight from the source–wonder if it counts as organic?

When Tom arrived with three rather smug looking schoolgirls we knew he’d called in to the ice cream shop en route. My computer beeped as Trish was telling me this long involved story of how she’d out manoeuvred one of the teachers in a science lesson. Did I tell you she’s thinking of offering to stand in for Professor Brian Cox at the university of Manchester when he’s next busy doing television work? Her ego might even be bigger than her brain.

Simon texted to say they were running late and to go ahead with dinner without them. I sent one back saying we’d keep it warm for them. The it turned out to be Chicken Kief with garlic butter and mushroom stuffing. We ate them with new potatoes dripping with butter–oh not just any old potatoes, but Jersey Royals–a side salad based upon watercress and celery with cherry tomatoes and fresh egg custard tart for dessert–delish!

Jason emailed to say bail had been granted at five thousand and he signed a cheque for that amount on my behalf. I replied to say I’d come and collect Neal immediately. About twenty minutes later Phoebe and I collected him outside the police HQ and he actually cried when we hugged him.

He pleaded guilty to the driving while under the influence but not to any assault on his wife. Jason told us that the police had been to see Gloria whose amnesia didn’t help anyone.

Once we got back to his house, Neal went up to shower and change before I ran him to the hospital to get his car where it had been since he was arrested. I hoped they hadn’t clamped it as well. He would drive home and have something to eat before going to see Gloria and then he’d come and get the baby.

I asked him if he’d like to leave the baby until the morning so he’d get a proper night’s sleep and he didn’t know what to do. I left it up to him but to let me know. I said nothing about my conversation with Gloria, but Phoebe wouldn’t be hushed, and she told him about it in no uncertain terms including her calling me, Mummy.

The poor chap admitted he’d committed a faux pas with me a few days before so he understood how easy it was, however he would speak to Gloria if she was still being transphobic. I wasn’t sure that’s what she was, rather just angry projecting all her resentment at me as a convenient target, and the one area where I was vulnerable–my inability to have children, whereas real women could–yeah, sure.

We took him to the hospital and a note was left attached to the windscreen telling him proceedings would be taken out against him because he was displaying no parking ticket. I took it off him and said I’d deal with it.

After this he thanked me for being a true friend and that he’d sort Gloria out. I warned him about his phraseology and it took him a minute to see what I’d meant.

“Cathy, you’ve been an absolute brick right through this and you’ve stood by us despite all Glo’s nastiness over the baby. I’m really grateful for all you’ve done especially taking care of Lizzie. Ever since I saw you that day you came in to tell us about your change of lifestyle, I thought you were a good looking woman, I still think that and you’re one of the nicest, kindest people I know.

“Phoebe thinks of you as a second mother and I can see why, I’m sure our mum would have been pleased that you took over bringing her up. I don’t mind what she calls you, but I’m glad to call you friend.” We hugged and he went home and we went back to our place.

There the place was in uproar as Cate had been sick all over Tom–he was sitting her on his lap and bouncing her. At first she burped and laughed and then it was a techicolor burp–all over him. As I’ve told him before I didn’t have much sympathy for the auld galoot but I got landed for laundering his clothes. Thankfully he tends to buy his stuff in M&S so it’s all machine washable.

I spent time with the kids after they finished their homework and I got them all to bed by a quarter to nine–as it’s still light then–they don’t really want to go. I was fair wabbit as the Scots say, meaning tired. Visiting time would be over soon so we’d know what Neal wanted to do with the baby in the next half an hour or so.

I went to the kitchen to make myself some tea when Phoebe and Julie came down and asked if they could feed the baby. I decided I’d do it because my breasts felt full and were oozing a little, they shrugged but left it to me.

I was in the middle of feeding the little darling when the phone rang. Jacquie answered it and held it out to me, “It’s Gloria?” I nodded. “She wants to talk to you.”

I sighed and held out my free hand for the cordless handset. “Hello?”

“Is that you, Cathy?”

“Yes, Gloria, what’s the problem?”

“I’m worried about Neal.”

“Why?”

“He came to see me and we had a right row–they threatened to throw him out. He was defending you and I really went for him. He stormed off in high dudgeon but I’m worried about him. He’s not answering his phone or the landline. Would you go and check he’s okay?”

“That would explain why he hasn’t come for Lizzie, who I’m feeding at this moment.”

“As soon as you finish, could you go and check on him, and give her ladyship a kiss from me. I’m really sorry about what I said, you’re a real friend, Cathy. I can see that now. I’m such a fool but I do love him even if he deserves better.”

“Okay, I’ll pop round as soon as madam has stopped sucking me inside out.”

There was pregnant pause on the phone before, “I’m glad you’re feeding her, I hope to be out in a day or so, so could you keep a hold of her until then, I don’t think Neal would cope at the moment?”

“Course I will.”

She rang off and switched Lizzie to my other breast, the little bugger wanted to sleep more than feed and I called Julie down. She took the baby while I expressed milk into a bottle and she could feed her the rest. I told Phoebe I was going to try and calm Neal down and she asked to come as I thought she might.

We drove round to his house and his car was in the driveway. Things didn’t feel right and I tried the front door, it was unlocked. We both walked in and I called out to Neal who it was. There was no sound except the refrigerator buzzing away in the kitchen.

I began to feel very uneasy and started to climb the stairs calling his name loudly, it was then I saw him, or his feet swaying over the stairs. I screamed to Phoebe to call an ambulance and rushed upstairs. I stood under his body trying to take the weight off his neck. She came rushing up stairs and screamed.

“Get a neighbour, we need someone to help get him down–hurry!” She ran off and moments later two young men came rushing back with her. One had a knife and we cut through the tow rope he’d used. Then it was pull it off his throat and start CPR.

The second man tried to comfort Phoebe while the one with the knife and I tried to resuscitate poor Neal. I could feel the energy pouring into his body but I had my doubts about it working. I did the breaths and the man did the compressions. Could we keep him alive or were we already too late? I didn’t know, I really didn’t.