Sewing the Shadows Together Read Online Free Page B

the machines. ‘
Presented to the Senior Common Room on the occasion of the school centenary by the Class of 1977’
. Because that’s the year most of us left.’
    ‘Nice touch, Patsy.’ Rory put his arm round her narrow shoulders and they walked towards the entrance to the school, where a small group of revellers from the night before was gathered.
    Sarah walked behind with Tom. Rory hadn’t even acknowledged her presence, but she was used to that. Hearing footsteps behind her, she looked round and saw a crumpled-looking figure in his forties, with a camera round his neck and a cigarette hanging from his mouth, walking across the car park.
    Rory’s face broke into a wide grin. ‘Archie, you old reprobate. What are you doing here?’ He punched the reporter on the shoulder. ‘No exciting crimes for you to chase?’
    Archie’s drooping eyes glinted. ‘Bit quiet on the murder front today. Saw this request for a story, starring my old mate Dunbar, so thought I’d have a little trip down to Porty and get a bit of sea air.’
    ‘Which you’re polluting with your smelly fags. Don’t you read the government health warnings?’
    ‘Nonsense, they’re good for you. Clear the tubes.’
    Patsy pushed between them and stood on her tip-toes. ‘Hello, I’m Patricia Mills, I contacted you.’
    Archie and Rory exchanged looks over her head. Rory gave a mock bow. ‘Patsy, my apologies. Allow me to introduce the one and only Archie Kilbride, senior reporter at
Scotsman Publications.
We are honoured indeed.’
    Patsy simpered. ‘Thanks for coming, Mr Kilbride. If we just go upstairs to the Senior Common Room, Rory can give the presentation and let you get away.’
    The ceremony passed quickly. Rory gave a speech about water being good for the brain and coffee keeping students awake. The Head Girl smiled appreciatively and thanked him on behalf of all the seniors, and Archie Kilbride took a photo with Rory drinking a symbolic plastic cup of water in front of the shining apparatus, his arm loosely round the Head Girl’s shoulders.
    Afterwards, while Rory was surrounded by a group of school girls armed with pens and autograph books, Sarah saw Archie draw Patsy to one side; Patsy flushed with pleasure as she chattered to him, turning round and pointing in the direction of the old students.
    They were still talking when Captain Kidd hurried up the stairs, followed by his wife Hannah; Patsy indicated him with a nudge of her shoulder and whispered something to Archie, before tottering off to greet her old teacher. Archie looked at Kidd carefully, nodded his head and then ambled over to Rory, who looked up from his autographing session as Archie approached.
    ‘I’ll be off now, Rory, my old son. But we must have a chat very soon. Come and see me in my office – aka the Cafe Royal – Monday lunchtime?’ Archie raised his eyebrows, looking for assent. Rory nodded, before turning back to the group of excited girls.
    Archie took a cigarette out of the packet. ‘Better not hang around here too long or they’ll think I enjoy this kind of work. See you!’ And with a brief wave he shambled towards the stairs, his cigarette hanging out of his mouth and his lighter poised in his hand.
    Captain Kidd greeted the group of old pupils. He was wearing the same corduroy jacket as the night before, with a pale blue shirt that picked up the bright blue of his eyes. His hair was still thick and black, shot through with strands of grey and worn a little longer than was normal. Sarah had to admit he was still a most attractive man.
    The Head Girl obviously thought so. She beamed in his direction. ‘Mr Kidd, how wonderful that you’ve come. We really miss you at the school. English just isn’t the same without you!’
    ‘I just had to come and see you – and look around the school with this group of reprobates. They were my first ever class.’
    Patsy clapped her hands. ‘Super. Thanks so much, HJ, for coming along.’
    ‘You’re a very