Death of a Nurse Read Free

hurried off.
    When it came Hamish’s turn, Fiona said, “I think you may go back to your station, Sergeant. You have a large area to cover.”
    Lovely woman, thought Hamish. The first person in authority to realise the extent of my beat. No rings. Wonder if there’s a man in her life.
      
    When Hamish returned to his police station, he found Charlie loading up his old station wagon with his belongings. “You’d better come here every day and report for duty,” said Hamish. “I’ll miss your company in the evenings but not your big feet. You and Priscilla getting along all right?”
    “She’s great. Just like a sister.”
    Hamish pushed back his cap and scratched his red hair as he watched Charlie drive off. What man could survey the beauty that was Priscilla and look on her as a sister?
    After Charlie had left, Hamish decided to drive to Braikie. His previous constable, Dick Fraser, had left to buy a bakery shop with a Polish woman called Anka. Anka was glamorous. Hamish had tried several times to get her out on a date but without success. Surely she and tubby Dick could not be romantically involved.
    The shop had just closed for the night when he arrived. He noticed a shiny, brand-new BMW parked outside. If it was Dick’s, business must be very good indeed.
    He rang the bell to the flat over the shop. Anka Bajorak answered the door. My world is beginning to be peopled by beautiful unavailable women, thought Hamish. But maybe Gloria is available. Anka walked ahead of him up the stairs, her auburn hair tied back in a ponytail and her long legs encased in tight jeans, giving one highland police sergeant a stab of lust.
    Dick had slimmed down. But with his grey hair and small figure, he certainly did not look like the type of man to capture the affections of such as Anka. He was comfortably ensconced in an armchair by the peat fire.
    “It’s yourself, Hamish,” cried Dick. “Like a dram?”
    “Tea will be fine.”
    “I’ll get it,” said Anka.
    Hamish told Dick about the visit to the prison and then said, “There’s a newcomer in the neighbourhood.”
    “That’ll be the wee nurse,” said Dick. “Talk o’ the place. Say she dresses like a nurse out o’ one o’ thae Carry On movies. They say she’s after the auld man’s money.”
    “The things people say!” complained Hamish. “I’ve met her. She’s charming.”
    “Oh aye? Got a date?”
    “Next Sunday.”
    “Well, she wouldn’t be going out wi’ you if she was after money,” said Dick.
    Anka came back with a cup of tea for Hamish and two cakes. “How’s business?” asked Hamish.
    “Booming,” said Anka. “We thought of opening another shop, but we decided to start a business on the Internet. It’s called BapsareUs. We send parcels of baps all over Britain.”
    “I’m not surprised,” said Hamish. One of the usual Scottish laments was that it was almost impossible to get a decent bap, those large breakfast rolls. Anka’s baps were famous.
    “We’ve had to build a new place to cope with all the baking and take on lots of staff,” said Anka. “Several of the big companies have tried to buy us over.”
    Hamish told them about Charlie moving out. “Won’t you be lonely?” asked Dick.
    “No, I’m delighted to get my station back. Charlie is great but he’s so clumsy, he’s a walking disaster.”
    “I would like to meet him,” said Anka. “Bring him with you next time.”
    “Will do,” said Hamish. “I’d better get back.”
      
    When Hamish returned to the station, he found a note on the kitchen table from Charlie. “I’ve taken Sonsie and Lugs up to the castle. They were mooching at the Italian restaurant and we don’t want them getting fat. I’ll drop them back later.”
    The wind had risen, moaning around the police station. Hamish fought off a sudden feeling of loneliness. But then he had a vision of the pretty Gloria, living with him at the police station. Three days to Sunday and then he would see her