show.â
âThis is one occasion when you should be. Itâs a recognition of your achievement. A chance for your family to share in your triumph.â
âYouâre getting this out of proportion. Itâs an Open University BA. Thatâs not a triumph. Itâs a decent achievement, alongside hundreds of other people.â
âIt is a triumph,â said Eleanor firmly. âConsidering how youâve had to study, fitting it in around a variable load of CID work, never being certain when youâd have time to work at this and when you wouldnât, itâs a terrific achievement. I know that. The boys know that, for all their joking. We want to see the formal recognition of what youâve achieved.â
As if responding to a cue, Jack and Luke made a robust entry at this point, sounding as usual like a regiment descending the stairs. âItâs all right for you to read that!â said Eleanor, as her elder son seized on the letter, which had drifted to the floor.
âOpen University Graduation Ceremony, May the thirteenth,â Jack announced to his brother.
âOh, great, Dad!â said Luke enthusiastically. âWill we be able to photograph you wearing one of those daft hats?â
âIf youâre thinking of that comedian receiving an honorary doctorate at the University of Northampton,â said his father testily, âIâm afraid I donât qualify for anything so lofty or so freakish. Iâm merely a Bachelor of Arts, not a doctor.â
âA distinction which you have thoroughly earned, rather than one awarded for no academic achievement whatsoever,â said Eleanor stoutly.
âNo daft hat?â said Luke in undisguised disappointment.
âNo daft hat,â said his father firmly.
âMost of the graduates Iâve seen in pictures seem to have mortar boards,â said Jack thoughtfully. âI think a mortar board on you might look quite daft enough for us.â
âNot as good as bright green with a big tassel, though.â Luke refused to be consoled. âAny chance of you going on to become a doctor, do you think, Dad?â
âNone whatsoever. The next graduates in this family will be you and Jack.â
âDonât rely on it, Dad. I fancy being an interesting drop-out,â said Jack provocatively. âStripped to the waist with a guitar, I should think. Driven to new heights of performance by banned substances.â He eyed his mother surreptitiously, but for once she refused to be drawn by his lurid provocation.
âIf you want any breakfast, youâd better cease these ridiculous imaginings and get on with real life,â Eleanor said firmly.
âThe local press will be interested in this,â said young Luke with relish. âSort of âDull copper reveals hidden depths of scholarshipâ line.â
Jackâs eyes lit up. âYouâre right, Luke. âSherlock lurks within the village bobbyâ stuff. Iâm sure you and I will get together some interesting copy for the media if we give our minds to it tonight. You got any plans to retire to the south coast and keep bees, Dad?â
âNone whatsoever. Iâm going in to the station now to continue the task of keeping crime off our streets. Of making them safe for cheeky young scoundrels like you two!â
Jack nodded his fifteen-year-old approval. âGood on yer, Dad! Youâd better think what youâre going to say to local radio, though. Theyâre sure to want an interview, after Luke and I have finished as your PR men. I should think television and the national press will be on to it pretty quickly, after weâve made our first releases.â
âIf I hear that youâve said a word to anyone, thereâll be trouble!â said Bert, with as much menace as he could muster.
Eleanor followed him out to his car. âYouâve got to go to the graduation ceremony,â she said
Katie Salidas, K.A. Salidas