“Would I please be kind enough to contact them with a view to arranging its collection? I rang them immediately but they weren’t open yet. The Presbyterian work ethic didn’t extend to starting before nine of the a.m. I took the letter to the office, skipped morning parade and sent Tony Willis up to the Super’s prayer meeting. I got straight on the blower. It was cheaper to use the firm’s phone, and it could be police business. A soft Edinburgh brogue answered immediately, but I didn’t catch a word she said. ‘Could I speak to one of the partners, please?’ ‘Yes, they’re all here, which one would you be liking?’ ‘Er, Mr McNaughtie, please.’ Except that I pronounced it McNorty. ‘It’s pronounced Nochty, McNochty,’ she told me, ‘and both Mr McNaughties passed on many years ago. Miss McNaughtie is in, would you care to speak with her?’ The niece? ‘Oh, sorry. Yes, Miss McNaughtie will be fine, thank you.’ Sparky had pricked up his ears in disbelief when I had asked for Mr McNor...ty, and now his shoulders were bobbing up and down as he hid his face behind a sheaf of court papers.MoreLessShow More Show Less
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