Wearing Purple

Chapter 32

My dad was waiting for me when I walked out of the International Arrivals gate at Glasgow. I had phoned him from Barcelona to let him know my travel arrangements, and had told him that I would drive up to Anstruther next day, as soon as I had done everything that had to be done.

I knew that he would be there, though. As soon as I saw him, I remembered coming out of my faint in the restaurant, and my need for him. My dad has always been there for me, as indeed, I have been for him, for all of our lives. But when I saw him at the airport my instant reaction was one of fear. Mac the Dentist had always been a brawny, powerful, vibrant man, yet now he looked old, drawn, shrunken, and I, with all my certainties blown away for ever, had a sudden vision of the day when he would not be there either. Death is a mugger in an alleyway, in a strange city, at night.

I hugged him; we were equals now. For the first time I knew, truly, how he had felt when my mother died. Although no one has a monopoly on grief, it has levels and shades, and it is experienced in differing ways and to different degrees.

‘God, son,’ he said, once we were able to speak to each other. ‘You look forty if you look a day. I was worried about how you’d hold up, until Primavera called, just as I was about to leave home. She explained how she came to be with you when you found out, and she told me that you were okay. She said I’d find you changed, but I knew that for myself.’

‘How’s Mary?’ I asked him.

‘Sedated,’ he replied. ‘Your sister’s looking after her.’

‘What about the boys? Have you told them what’s happened?’

‘I thought that you might want to do that.’

‘Aye, I think I do. I’ll have to tell wee Colin what happened to his idol, The Behemoth, as well.’ I explained about Jerry Gradi’s wounding, and about Sonny Leonard’s disappearance.

‘Did Prim tell you that she saved his life?’ He looked at me, puzzled. ‘No, I don’t suppose she would.’

I took him by the arm. ‘Come on. I’ve got things to do.’

He knew what I meant, at once. ‘That can wait until tomorrow, son.’

‘Oh no it can’t. You’re taking me to the Royal Infirmary, right now. The police can wait for ever for all I care, but I have to see Jan.’ I turned and stared at him, hard. ‘I have to see for myself, Dad, otherwise I won’t really believe it.’

‘I know, lad,’ he said. ‘I know.’