Dead Man's Dinner - Una Gordon Page 0,26

round now, but I think it's Melissa Pather sitting over in the corner,”

After a few minutes Gresham turned round, trying to be casual. Fiona was right. Melissa seemed to be alone and almost by silent agreement, Fiona and Gresham rose to go over to speak to her. As they got closer, they were appalled at her appearance. Her once blonde hair was untidy and brassy and the shadows under her eyes accentuated the pallor of her unrouged cheeks. She bore no resemblance to the elegant woman she used to be. When they spoke to her Gresham and Fiona realised she was drunk. Having gone over they had to speak to her, they thought they would offer their condolences and leave.

“Mrs Pather, I believe,” said Gresham. She looked at him dully and with no sign of recognition. “We were very sorry to hear about your husband.”

“My husband. My husband,” she repeated slowly as if she didn't know what they were speaking about.

Neither Fiona nor Gresham was very sure what to say next.

“Thought I'd given him Aids, you know, the stupid bastard.” Without warning she started to sob quite violently. Fiona and Gresham sat down beside her trying awkwardly to calm her, without success. “Everyone thought I'd be glad to see the back of him because he beat me up, you know, but I loved him.” The last three words were a long drawn out wail. A passing waiter glanced over, but his expression revealed nothing of what he might be thinking. Melissa blew her nose noisily, then started to talk again, first peering at Gresham. “You're Gresham Erdington, aren't you? You were at bloody Derwent's party.” Suddenly she giggled drunkenly. “Did you get a card saying your wife had slept with him?” Her words were slurred but quite audible.

Gresham looked around, embarrassed, but Melissa was either unaware of the attention she was attracting from people at surrounding tables or she didn't care. “My huthban – Guy- didn' care who I slept with,” again she giggled drunkenly, “as long as I got something out of it. Money, you know. Money. Guy liked money and so do I – can't live without money.”

Gresham looked at Fiona desperately. He wanted to go, but he felt they couldn't just walk off and leave Melissa in this state. Fiona knew how Gresham felt, but she was far less concerned about what other people were thinking.

“Can we get you a taxi?” she asked Melissa.

Melissa looked at her with a vacant look on her face. “A ta-ta-tasci.” she just couldn't get the word out properly. “He was impu – impo-he,” and she started to giggle again.

“You mean Derwent Mollosey was impotent?” Fiona asked.

“Tha jus wha a bin tell' you.”

“Why didn't you tell Guy this?”

Melissa tried to speak, but the effort of trying to explain was too much for her and after several attempts she gave up.

“Gresham, let's take Melissa home with us.” He looked horrified. “Perhaps tomorrow she may be more lucid.”

“I don't see what difference that makes.”

“Gresham, there are still another three people we could tell the truth if we manage to get it out of Melissa when she's sober.” Gresham sighed and agreed.

It was no easy task getting Melissa out to the taxi. She was a dead weight, seemingly having lost all co-ordination of her limbs. Gresham felt that everyone was looking at them as they lurched along, trying to miss anyone coming in the other direction. The commissionaire lifted his hat as politely as if there was nothing unusual in their exit.

Getting Melissa out of the taxi was no easy matter either. Once out of the taxi, Melissa swayed between Gresham and Fiona, looking up at the building and blinking stupidly. “Where's sis. I...I..I don' live here.”

“You're coming home with us tonight,” said Fiona kindly.

Melissa's eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Where you takin' me? Wha' you doin'? Wha' you up to?” Her voice rose on the last sentence and she tried to shake herself loose. A couple passing by looked at them, wondering what was going on, but after hesitating for a second, continued on their way, not wanting to get involved.

Gently Fiona persuaded Melissa that they meant her no harm and urged her step by faltering step towards the main door of the flats. Once in the lift Melissa seemed to lose consciousness and when it stopped Fiona and Gresham were relieved that no one was there to see them drag her out.

Once in the spare bedroom, there seemed little they could do except remove her