Chapter 10

Schemes and Wardrobe Ponderings

Richard was touched and slightly embarrassed by his team's efforts to make him feel welcome. The way they began to ask him about London and wanted to tell him about what had happened during his absence, the way Catherine hurried to bring out the tea set, the way they had decorated the bar for him – that was a clear sign that he had been missed. And the way Camille smiled and looked at him… that made him feel all light-headed.

He noticed that she looked absolutely breathtaking in this new dress – well, new to him, he hadn't seen it on her before. Not that he kept a record of her clothes, but he did notice what she wore. Granted, on some days it was extremely hard not to notice… her attire was quite 'remarkable' every once in a while. This dress was a light cherry red – or a very dark shade of orange? He wasn't entirely sure about the colour, but it looked fabulous on her. The bodice was shaped like a camisole – with spaghetti straps that brought out her wonderful smooth shoulders – and it opened into a full skirt that was just about kneelength. Lovely - and very feminine. She was always beautiful, but tonight, she was spectacular, he thought. He wasn't aware of it, but his eyes betrayed him… at least to any observer who cared to look a bit more closely… Camille didn't seem to notice – and he was relieved. He didn't want to get caught ogling her!

He managed not to stare openly and distracted himself by going off on one of his well-known rants about his lost luggage. Honestly, he was livid – was he born under some unlucky star, was that why he always lost his suitcases on the flights to Saint Marie? Did some supernatural power enjoy the obvious inconvenience that this all caused him? He found this all just so frustrating – and would have been ready to tear his hair out if he had had a bit more of that on his head. The way it was, all he could do was rant about it – and he did that for a little while until he felt safe enough to sit back and look around. He remarked on the decorations – and said a sincere "thank you", although he was still a little uncomfortable that they were fussing over him.

It was nice to be back, and he loved seeing everyone again, despite the feeling that it was almost as if he was sitting in a sauna – fully dressed, obviously. In all honesty, the heat and humidity had hit him like a brick wall as soon as he had left the airport building, but at least this time he was prepared. The Commissioner had greeted him and made commiserating noises as he complained about his luggage getting lost once again, but Richard had had a feeling that it didn't really interest him and he just pretended to listen. It irked him, particularly since he had just had a bit of a showdown with HR so he could return to Saint Marie. He almost regretted his successful attempt to push them for a decision in his favour – but well, only almost. He forced himself to come back down to earth and stop complaining. It wouldn't help if he talked himself into a rage.

During the drive to Honoré, they had discussed the results of his negotiations with HR. The Commissioner was pleased to have him back, but not entirely happy with the extra conditions that Richard had hammered out. However, he had understood that Richard was keen on having some security and wanted to be able to make plans – and change them, if circumstances changed, although what precisely these "circumstances" could be, was left in the dark. The Inspector didn't want to discuss this, and for now, the Commissioner didn't insist. The way things had been handled so far hadn't been all that gratifying from Richard's point of view, and Selwyn Patterson had to admit that for someone his age and at the stage of life he was in the situation had been less than optimal.

The conversation then had turned to the mishap of the lost luggage, and the Commissioner suggested he get a few lightweight suits to add to his wardrobe over the weekend so he'd have something comfortable to wear in case his luggage didn't turn up quickly. He had added "And even if it shows up fairly swiftly, Inspector – it won't hurt to have an alternative to your woollen suits. You must feel very hot in them."

Richard reluctantly had to agree with this. Granted, he didn't like changes, he liked his suits, he felt safe when he wore them, and it nearly felt like he was admitting defeat after all that time, but he figured that after he had finally made the decision to come back and take a chance, he might as well surrender altogether – he'd be staying for a while, so why not have it comfortable as long as it lasted…

So, he had taken out his notebook and jotted down the addresses that the Commissioner recommended. He had decided that right after a good night's rest, he'd make an effort on the very next day and go clothes shopping… That was something he did not enjoy in the least as it could mean having to try on piles of clothing, particularly since sizes might differ from what he was used to in the UK – but he hoped to get it done and over with fairly quickly by applying his regular method – he usually tried on a few things, found one or two that he liked and then bought the same item in several universal colours. He had acquired a capsule wardrobe of matching suits and dress shirts by applying this system, and the same went for socks and underwear. Once he had settled for a brand and a style, he tended to just buy the same things over and over – that worked well for him! Ties, however, were different – those were fun and easy to buy, and he liked to experiment a bit with those – not going to extremes, and the colours shouldn't be blazing, but he enjoyed different patterns. He just picked them from a rack, and that was it! He knew only too well that he would never stun people with his looks, and he certainly wasn't vain, but he wanted to be dressed correctly and look civilised.

As he listened to his team filling him in on the happenings of the past week (apparently, it had been rather uneventful, apart from the burglary that turned out to be false alarm – he had obviously not missed much and was glad that there hadn't been any murders… not only because it was good to know that nobody had died! It sounded awful, but he would have hated not being around to help solve the puzzle), he noticed Fidel's shirt and made a mental note of remembering to get some short-sleeved shirts and maybe a couple of polos as well. That wasn't something he'd wear for work, but it would be good to have informal clothes like that for the evenings in the shack.

Fidel went on to describe a minor accident on the main crossing that had caused havoc. While he was listening to the young officer and trying to process what he said, Richard's eyes fell on Dwayne's casual yellow shirt, and he thanked fate that the older officer had chosen a rather modest piece of clothing today. At least this one didn't make his eyes bleed for a change, and it did look airy and comfortable – and it would be something different again. Food for thought. He might get something similar for himself some time. Not in this bright colour, but there would surely be other colours and patterns available as well.

Maybe even Camille would approve. Surely she'd notice the change, and perhaps that would help and she'd see him with different eyes. Or would it be too obvious - so she'd see right through it and know that he was making efforts to earn her acknowledgement? Would she laugh at him? He stole a glance at Camille who was smiling at him – and looked away again quickly. His ears began to burn – how on earth did she do that? He hoped that nobody had noticed how flustered he was all of a sudden.

Richard began to shift in his chair and took another sip of tea as he tried to follow the conversation again – without any luck. His mind began to wander off again – to his lost luggage, his dressing habits and the forthcoming shopping.

He never really had worn comfortable clothing during his time on Saint Marie. Back in the UK, he often had worn sweat pants and a T-shirt or a fleece jacket in the evenings after his "after run shower", as he liked to call it (sounded a bit like "after work party", he thought!) – there was no point in getting back into his suit or even a pair of jeans (yes, he had some of those!) after exercising and before going to bed. It was too hot for sweat pants and fleece jackets on Saint Marie, though, and he didn't like wearing shorts all that much, so he didn't really have any casual things to wear. Over the past two years, Richard had taken off his jacket and just rolled up his sleeves at home, and for cooking, he usually put on an apron (he didn't mind looking a bit silly – nobody saw him, anyway – except for Harry, maybe, whom he trusted couldn't care less - and he preferred that over getting shocking stains on his good clothes… he already carried buckets of money to the drycleaners', anyway) but admittedly, it still had sometimes been rather uncomfortable and hot.

The pyjamas were better, but not very appropriate, especially if people were coming around. Camille had caught him in his sleeping attire several times when she came to pick him up in the mornings, and while he hadn't been particularly happy with that as he felt it wasn't appropriate – not to mention that he had been slightly uncomfortable with how her eyes had danced at this sight (he had never quite found out if she thought it funny or pitiful, and he didn't want to ask – since he wasn't sure he would like the answer, he preferred not knowing!) – he had chosen not to make a big deal of it. He just had tried to be ready in time after it had happened several times.

But once the Commissioner had come to see him about an aspect of a case – fortunately, he had given him a call before in order to find out if he was at home. So there had just been enough time to get into more presentable clothing. With Camille it was one thing, but he really did not want the Commissioner to see him in his striped nightwear. Polos and short sleeved shirts would solve this issue charmingly. And maybe some jeans again – no, jeans were too warm. Chinos. Yes, chinos would be better. Or plain slacks? Not very imaginative, but they'd be useful, and maybe he would not feel so hot anymore…

Alison was right – it really was pointless to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. Wait, it had been Einstein who said that, or hadn't he? Richard realised that he hadn't paid attention to what Fidel or anybody else had said for a few minutes – his mind had been wandering. Einstein and clothes, of all the things in the world, really. That only showed how tired he was.

The Commissioner had left after the first drink had been finished, and Catherine was looking after her customers – she had stopped by their table every once in a while to add something to the conversation, but the bar had become busy, and she just couldn't sit around idly. So, it was just Fidel, Dwayne and Camille sitting with him after some time.

A gigantic yawn came over Richard, and he tried to hide it, but Camille had been watching him – for how long he did not know – and now asked kindly "Would you like me to take you to your house? It's been a long flight, and you look tired." Richard thought for a moment she was implying he looked old – but there was no mockery in her voice, so he just nodded and smiled apologetically. "I'm really sorry" he said "but I'm really a little done in now. It's amazing how you don't actually do anything during a flight, yet it wipes you out."

The boys got the hint and said their goodbyes: Dwayne just saluted and sauntered off to the other side of the bar, drink in hand and a big smile on his face. He had seen a few of his buddies and wanted to find out which club they'd be going to this evening – it was Friday, after all! Fidel shook Richard's hand and said he'd be happy to see him again on Monday – Richard did not fail to insert an affable "with your new stripes, of course" at this point (which brought him an approving smile from Camille) – but for now he wanted to go home to Juliet and baby Rosie.

Richard got up, yawned again and stretched his body. Oh, it would be so good to lie down and fall asleep to the sound of the waves! They walked to the Defender, and Camille said over her shoulder "It's also time for Harry's dinner now – I bet he'll be happy to have you back, too."

Notes: If this appears to be a little disjointed – it's supposed to reflect the fact that Richard is tired and finds it hard to focus.