‘Don’t worry too much. He’s had a stroke and is also bound to be a little stressed and unsure after his fall.’

Archer sits on the chair by Grandad’s bed and takes his hand, which seems unusually cold considering the ward is so warm. His eyes blink open, they are watery and clouded with confusion. He turns to look at Archer, and after a moment, smiles.

‘Hello, my dear.’

‘Hi, Grandad.’ She leans across and kisses him on the cheek. ‘How’re you feeling?’

‘A little tired but right as rain.’

He pushes himself up into a more comfortable sitting position. It’s then she notices the tabloid under his left arm and her heart sinks. His eyes follow her gaze.

‘Don’t take any notice of that hack,’ he says. ‘I wouldn’t normally read that rubbish but someone gave it to me.’

‘I won’t. I’m sorry you had to see it.’

‘Don’t be. You know this kind of horseshit comes with the job. People use to write mean things about your father, especially with him being mixed race.’

‘That was a different time.’

‘Was it? I don’t think much has changed in fifty years.’

‘I’d like to think that’s not true.’

Grandad smiles and squeezes her hand. ‘Let’s hope so. Did you see my hamper?’ His eyes brighten.

‘Not yet.’

He points to the other side of the bed. ‘It’s down there. Could you get it for me?’

Archer lifts the heavy basket onto the bed and Grandad opens the lid. Inside are two bottles of wine, cheese, crackers, jars of all sorts of spreads and pickles. ‘It’s very nice, isn’t it?’

‘Who sent it to you?’

Grandad blinks and stares blankly across the ward. ‘He was here yesterday. That nice chap. He brought me to the hospital.’

‘Jamie?’

‘That’s him. What a kind and generous man.’

The nurse appears. ‘Hello, Jake, that’s a smashing basket of goodies.’

‘Seems to be missing a bottle opener.’

The nurse laughs. ‘I think that had better wait until you get home. Time to turn in.’

Archer lifts the hamper onto the floor. ‘I’d better go, Grandad.’

She bends over and kisses him on the forehead.

‘By the way, my phone is out of action so you won’t be able to contact me for a day or two. I’ll give you the number of my colleague, Harry Quinn. We’re working together on the case.’

‘Thanks, darlin’. Sounds like you’ve got your work cut out with this killer.’

‘It would seem so.’

He holds her gaze. ‘You can outsmart this guy. You’ve done it before.’

Archer says nothing for a moment. ‘I hope so. Goodnight, Grandad.’

Chapter 25

25