Mrs Hunt (The Rescue - part 8)

[smallhobbit]

This follows straight after part 7 (well, duh) Cal McAffrey

 

Cal was in the middle of washing up and Cecil was, somewhat reluctantly, using the tea towel, when Sam and Gene came into the flat.

“Cal, Cecil, this is DCI Gene Hunt,” said Sam.

Cal watched Cecil shrink back, the vulnerability of the lad becoming apparent once again.

“It’s alright, Cecil,” Sam smiled.  “You’re not in trouble.  You’re going to spend a couple of days with Mr and Mrs Hunt.”

“DI Tyler, ‘ere, needs ‘is bed back.  And I promise you our spare bed is much more comfortable,” added Gene.

Cecil looked unconvinced, but nevertheless followed Sam and Gene out of the flat.

The Missus was waiting for them when they arrived at Gene’s house.  As Sam walked in she looked intently at him.  “Morning, Mrs Hunt,” he said.  Although he went there for Sunday dinner every two or three weeks and knew her first name, he always referred to her as Mrs Hunt.  She made him feel like a small boy in infant school standing in front of his formidable headmistress.

The Missus, who clearly saw part of her role as DCI Hunt’s wife to include feeding up his scrawny DI, turned her attention to Cecil.  “What you need, lad, is a good hot bath.  I’ll go and run you one.”

Turning to Sam, she added, “I presume he has some clean clothes to put on.” 

Sam sheepishly looked at his feet. 

“You had better go and buy some then,” she told him.

Sam looked at Gene for confirmation.

“What are you waiting for?” the Missus grumbled.  “He’ll need them once he’s finished his bath.”  She looked Sam and Cecil up and down.  “He’s about the same size as you, just a bit skinnier, if that were possible.”

Sam returned with the clothes he had bought and passed them over to the Missus.  She looked through the purchases and said, “What is he supposed to put on his feet?  Oh never mind, I’ll find a pair of Gene’s socks that have shrunk in the wash.”

Sam felt that a word of thanks for what he had bought wouldn’t have gone amiss, but thought that if he said anything he’d be sent to stand facing the corner for being impertinent.

Mrs Hunt took the clothes upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door.  “Cecil, there are pants and undies outside the door when you’re ready.  I’ve got some cream to put on your back before you finish getting dressed.”

Shortly afterwards Cecil came down and joined the others in the kitchen.  With his hair still damp from the bath he looked even younger than ever.  The Missus inspected the injuries on his back and arms and prepared to apply the cream.

She turned to Gene and Sam, “Right, be off with you.  Go and find something useful to do.  Cecil and I will be fine here by ourselves.”

DCI Hunt and DI Tyler looked at each other and obediently left the house.

Back in Sam's Flat