Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 26

4 years ago

Heart Of A Spider - Season 1 - Episode 26

eyebrows upwards.
“No, we’ve never met.”
“Yes we have, I never forget a face or a name. I’m sure we’ve met.”
“No never,” insisted Kobe, more forcibly.
“Dad,” barked Tegan wagging a finger. “You’re not at work.”
Ignoring his daughter’s heartache he continued. “We have met. You were wearing a different
school uniform. It was a dark blue skirt and a light blue jumper. The day obviously felt warm; you
had scrunched the jumper sleeves up to your elbows.”

“Impossible,” growled Kobe. “I’ve never worn a blue school uniform.”
Tegan’s expression took on the look of thunder. “Dad, stop embarrassing me.”
“Hmm,” replied Kendal, raising his hand to rub his chin.

“Dad,” grumbled Tegan, more firmly. She folded her arms and glared at her father.
“My apologies, force of habit.”
Tegan faced Kobe. Her cheeks looked slightly crimson. “Dad’s a cop.”

Kobe’s frown turned upwards. “Being a cop sounds interesting, Alan.”
Kendal locked eyes on the girl before shifting his gaze to her bare feet. “Forgive the question,
aren’t your feet cold? They look it.”
“Dad,” m0aned Tegan, using a stern authoritative voice.

“No, they’re not cold,” replied Kobe. “Thanks for caring, Alan.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like a chat.”
“Dad,” protested Tegan, yet again.
Kendal waved a hand at his eldest. She knew the gesture all too well and sat next to Kobe in
silence watching and listening to her father closely.

“I couldn’t help notice your toe ring,” said Kendal, almost whispering. “May I have a look?”

The girl blushed as she raised her foot, resting it on Kendal’s knee. He bent forward to have a
closer look.

“Interesting, where did you buy it?”
“Dad, enough,” whispered Tegan. The tone in her voice sounded desperate.
Kendal looked at his daughter. Tall, thin off the shoulders black hair; skin a shade lighter than
her Italian mother and when she smiled to appeared to be the mirror image of her sister’s. He felt
weak in the knees. His gaze locked onto her brown eyes as he was attacked from behind. He threw
the weight over his left shoulder and cradled the shape in his arms.

“Hi dad,” squealed Tani.
“Hello yourself,” said Kendal, kissing his nine-year-old daughter on the cheek. “You look
more like your mother every day.”
“Dad, Mum said dinner’s ready.” She giggled from the poke to the ribs.

“Tell her I’m on my way.” Kendal stood and walked towards the stairs.

“Mr. Kendal, I didn’t mention my Mother’s Irish. My grandparents were on holidays in Japan
when she was born. My father’s Irish too. So I guess it makes me full Irish blood.”

“Thanks for clearing up the discrepancy. I apologize for halting your homework.”

“It is okay; Tegan and I needed a break. We’ve finished our history questions. We are now trying to think up ideas for two short novels.”
Kendal nodded at the two girls and trudged upstairs, disappearing down the hall.
Kobe looked sideways at Tegan. “What was that all about?” she whispered.
“I don’t know. I’m more puzzled than you. Dad is definitely thinking about something.”
“You reckon?”
“Yeah, once you know him you’ll discover he’s always thinking.”
“Must be a good cop?”
“He sure is. When I’ve finished school I’m going to follow in his footsteps.”
Upstairs Kendal opened his wife’s jewellery box. For several moments he studied its neat and
tidy contents. Gold rings were arranged on the left-hand side, necklaces and earrings on the right.

He picked out a gold ring, holding it up to the light. He swiveled it on his index finger before
replacing the ring back exactly where he found it. Closing the lid to the jewellery box he wore a
widening grin.
Kendal slipped the shoulder holster off, stowing it in a side draw. He changed into a tracksuit
pants and shirt and walked downstairs.
The dinner table sounded absent of conversation. Kendal watched Tegan watching him.
Kobe’s stare moved back and forth between him and Tegan as if trying to pick up on the silent
conversation.

At 11:00pm Kendal drove Kobe home. Claire and Tegan tagged along.
On the drive home, Tegan piped up. “Dad, what were all the strange looks at the table
tonight?”

“I’d been thinking about the case Claire and I have been working on. Have you known Kobe
long?”
“She’s new in school. The principle dumped her in my class. Mum thought it might be a good
idea if I invited her for dinner.”
“If you happened to have a new teacher for a few days how would you react?”
Claire cut in, frowning. “Wait one minute. I don’t like where this conversation is heading.”
“You want Claire to be my new teacher?” asked Tegan. She appeared to be ready to burst at
the news.
“Do you think you could keep a secret?” asked Kendal.

“Sure. Sounds like a great idea. Three full days of bludging, what a lovely thought.”
“There will be no bludging.”
“Sugar, you’re not thinking straight.”
Kendal opened the front door of his home. “Yes, I am. Good night Claire. See you in the
morning. The guest room is always made up. Make yourself at home.”
She looked at him through narrowed eyes. “I always do.”