When she looked up she saw Ethel staring at her bare arms and the tattoo on the inside of each arm, but nothing was said.
After a few moments the tea was made, “You are such a nice quiet girl, not like the last woman Inspector we had a real battle axe. It was like world war two between her and Striker it if hadn’t been for the Chief I think Striker would have been long gone.”
That told her a lot, it seems Striker and the Chief were hand in glove, to quote a phrase, she thought she might try and contact her lady predecessor and discuss things.
“Oh I forgot” said Ethel “coming back to your tea making your reputation is going before you, may I ask if you would be sure to make mine just as you make it for the Sarge and the boss, they sing your praises over your tea making”.
“Ethel it will be my pleasure, your tea will be made exactly like theirs”.
She smiled having prepared the tea, this time in a pot and then dropped her additive into the mixture making sure they would all sample the same brew.
Ethel went downstairs to await its arrival she took the packet of biscuits from the side of the table, with her.
Doris first of all went upstairs and knocked on the door of Chief Superintendent Craig Denton-Smyth, she could see the letters QPM just waiting to be imprinted on the door.
She knocked and received the immediate response “Enter”.
She went inside and saw her boss seated, he was reading, he looked up, smiled and said
“Ah Ling with my tea, another great brew I hope?”
“Well I made it the same way,” she answered, very respectfully.
“I see”, replied the boss, “ keeping out of harms way I take it, oh try to keep an eye on things that are happening, try to get some practical experience. Striker is a mine of information and experience, I myself even use him”.
“I am certainly watching and noting everything he does sir”.
“Fine that is fine”. He replied.
She saw the highly polished shoes on the floor, “heavens” she thought, there on the floor where he normally keeps his pride of place footwear there was trace of mud on the carpet, she must have a word, seemingly, he must have trodden in something, God how she hoped it was dog shit.
She thought she had better have a word with May Day the cleaner; better get her to move it even though it was only a small amount of mess. I wouldn’t like him to get that back on his shoes” Then she thought, “shit why bother?”
On his desk, she saw a catalogue from the world famous Saville Row tailors Jacob and Co; her father used the same company.
It appeared her boss must have his uniforms made privately, no wonder he always looked so immaculate.
She guessed he had something coming off, shoes being prepared, his stick polished and now the hand made woollen uniform to add to those he already had, and of course, no one else did, they were far too expensive.
It seems he was set to impress someone, bullshit always baffles brains she thought.
She then kicked herself as she realised it was the funerals of Bob Friday and Sid Upton, officers she never knew but like the rest would attend the funeral, so would the Chief-Constable and the newly appointed Police Commissioner.
It was clear now why the Chief Super was gathering his finery.
She closed the door to his office as she left and ran down the stairs.
The tea made not only for the obnoxious but also for the minions.
When she arrived, Ethel was whispering that the new lady Inspector was literally covered in tattoos.
“I think she has them everywhere,” said Ethel excitedly realising she had pleased the officers with her gossip, the more they imagined the better they enjoyed it and the more Ethel felt praised.
“Any on her boobs and arse?” Said Striker, “no wonder the Chief Super gets the first cup of tea.”
Doris realised over hearing the malicious talk “that would be her next burden to carry, but such is life” she thought, “the chance of any of them investigating to reveal anything further was non existent”.
It was the funeral today of Bob Friday and Sid Upton sad affairs from all accounts.
“Ah Ling” said Striker “You will be aware of the funerals today, we are all going, but you stay here in command so to speak.”
“Officers from the next door force in Shropshire will arrive to keep things ticking over to allow all us to attend; you didn’t know them so you can stay behind”.
She smiled and said, “Would you like more tea Sarge?”
“Ah yes I will, you do make a special brew”.
She poured out the tea at the table on the side of the room and quietly dropped a further sample of saliva into the cup, walked over and handed it to him then smiled as he nodded his approval after taking the first sip.
Doris later stopped Ethel in the corridor, “Why did you tell them all those lies about me?”
“What lies would that be?” replied Ethel.
“You know full well, the tattoos, a complete set of lies”
“Well not really”, came back Ethel, “I saw one on your arm so made it more interesting and flowered it up, they like thinking of the boobs and bums bit, they are men”.
“I am not much pleased Ethel, every man and his dog will know of your ridiculous story by the end of the day.”
“It was only a joke,” replied Ethel as she walked off.
Over the coming days, there were other solemn ceremonies as the other dead officers in the other forces were put to rest.
None of the officers or the circumstances or causes of death being known to each of the other forces or those involved.
They were all laid to rest, the ceremonies although unrelated of course still followed similar lines, as the police forces recalled their military type days.
Guards of honour, helmets, caps and flags on coffins, officers lining the routes, salutes and orations of how popular all the officers were and their good conduct and devotion to duty
The official enquiries all closed due to the cases being natural causes, the families left to mourn and pick up the remnants of their lives, it was business as usual in the various police forces and stations.
In Tarporley life continued in the same mundane way, Jack the hat and the lovely Anne now had the house straight. No greenhouse in which to play, no golf club he could go to, none of his neighbours who were golfers had invited him to a round or two even though he had left his golf clubs outside in open view, not as a reminder of course.
Life was spent walking, shopping in Chester and for a little variety the occasional foray into Manchester and visiting the village coffee shop. They sat alone but did take some pleasure from overhearing the various tittle-tattle passing between the various Cheshire ladies and groups, designer spectacles secured with gold chains fitted on the ends of noses, for better effect.
Taking small sips of their morning coffee and just as small mouthfuls of the various cakes and fancies advertised as home made but clearly bought in.
Most of the conversations about other members who did not happen to be present on that particular morning.
The Richards couple became known as “those people from down the road or the other side of the street”, who continued to drink tea at mid morning rather than coffee, and continued to refuse food except for one day when Jack struck back.
They arrived, it was 11am precisely, the room was more or less full, it being hair perm Friday so the salon was fully booked.
Jack from his many years, as a detective dealing with all manner of crime was still very observant.
On this particular day on entering the café he saw Girda, she was alone, he seized the opportunity and asked
“Oh could we please have two slices of the carrot cake?”
Girda looked up in amazement and was so taken aback to please her boss.
All in the hope of not only continuing to work at the establishment but to stay in the UK and later to bring as many relatives as possible to this new found land of the free.