19
"So Walter … Tartan for the waistcoat?" someone called out from the press scrum and Walter smiled.
"Hey .. that is my Taddy's waistcoat there boyo" he yelled back and once the laughter died he said softly "It's a Welsh Tartan. Pride of Wales. It honours my Taddy's bloodline. Also … the Star is to honour my Dad. His service in Law Enforcement. You know … his Scottish clan's tartan is similar, just some yellow in the stripes I think. There is a red and blue version that is considered not true. Dad is Scottish ya know."
They did not know, erupting as the American father got more interest now and Walter laughed as he waved them down "Dad's father, Grandpa Harkness was military and they travelled to different military bases when Dad was growing up. Also of his schooling was in American and when the family came back home he stayed to finish out his schooling. Hence the accent. But seriously, Dad is Scottish. He sometimes slips when drunk or being silly and a little Scottish brogue slips in. I find it cute. Tad as apologises for it, telling people he's mostly American and it's sort of a joke between them. No. The tartan Piney wears is worn with pride. It is Welsh."
"What of the rumours that Dale has disappeared? Gone into hiding?" someone called out and now Walter's smile faded.
"I do not want to talk of him. I do not want to waste air on him, OK? Let's not. He is out of my life and I do not want to waste a moment on him or his departure from the series" Walter rose and raised a hand in farewell "And this is where I call it a day folks."
"Awwwww" Everyone said, more than one turning to the reporter who had called out to glare at him as they all knew the rules. Play nice and get to come back.
"You knew they would ask love" Ianto said softly.
"I know Tad. Still, it chafes my butt" Walter growled "After all the shit that man put me tough because I would not let him have an affair with me … I would like to bloody run him over in one of Dad's tanks. I am so mad. When he shows up I don't want to know. He can rot over there on that studio lot with no sets."
"So this is another ploy you think?" Ianto asked "He's gonna do a 'Gone Girl' thing where he pops up from the dead in a month…year or whatever? Hoping for a book deal?"
"Wouldn't put it past him. So dramatic" Walter snorted "I guess it doesn't matter how polite you are when telling someone their hand on your thigh is not welcome, you still get a bunny boiler response."
Ianto nodded and then they let the sound tech rush over apologising as he said Walter was still miced from the interview.
"Did they all hear that?" Ianto asked with fake horror. Good.
Ianto nodded as he walked away and Walter apologised "God, was it hot? They did not hear that did they?"
"Sorry sir"
Walter sighed softly.
Good.
Still knew how to use a hot mic then. Thanks Tad.