‘The fact is people have been questioning your professionalism and I have been forced to investigate these matters,’ said Rogers, adjusting his ceremonial cap.
Wyse was incensed, not only by Rogers and his deliberate antagonism but more importantly by what he now realised the man was wearing. Even though Wyse did not listen to the rumours he had heard them. The most recent scandal mongering implied Rogers had taken to wearing dress uniform at night in some bizarre ritual. But even he could not believe Rogers would do such a thing, alas the proof now stood quite openly before him and again he had been shocked by the depths which this man would descend to.
‘That uniform!’ spluttered Wyse.
‘Yes, it fits quite well, much better than the last one,’ said Rogers, inspecting himself and pulling down his jacket sleeves.
‘That is a ceremonial uniform, only to be worn at the most sacred and solemn occasions.’
‘Ah, yes, well it is only a guide and who knows, there may be an early retirement in the very near future. You never know when you may be called upon to officiate at some unexpected event, it would never do to arrive in a state of distress.’
‘But it has only ever been used for service funerals and we never get invited to the big state functions, so why are you wearing it now?’
‘Let me remind you Wyse, who is in charge here,’ said Rogers clearing his throat, ‘I do not have to explain myself to you.’
‘No, not me but you may have to explain to others if it gets damaged.’
Rogers stopped his immediate rebuttal, ‘Who do you mean?’
‘The origins of the ambulance officers uniform you so brazenly wear, have now been lost in the mists of time but their value and rarity have never been questioned. Any damage to these uniforms is of course a serious charge and often has dire consequences for the vandal. No one has been able to replicate them and any attempt at repairing them always leads to disaster, therefore no tailor within London would forego his hard earned reputation to repair such a folly...’
‘Just as I thought,’ said Rogers, ‘another Wyse fabrication with no substance, I have never heard of such a...’
‘Except,’ said Wyse, with a Hitchcockian pause, ‘for the BlindTailor.’
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