Time of the moth

When I went to change for last night's school parents' party, I carefully brushed my suit jacket and then started on the trousers, only to find them full of moth larvae and holes. A cursory inspection of the rest of the rail found another suit and a jacket in the same state. I didn't dare look any further, and hung them on the garden bench.

With a horrible hangover this morning I looked again at the wardrobe. My three suits, two jackets and ten jumpers are now in the bin as they're all riddled with the same holes, larvae and wispy white trails of their devourers.

My morning coat, bought for Jessica's and my wedding, almost eight years ago, is a more recent feast I think, because although spotted with larvae I can't find any major damage. It's now in the deep freeze and will be dry-cleaned next week.

I bought one of the suits to wear to go away after our wedding reception, and have since worn it to Funeral, Inquest, legal conferences, round table settlement meeting and the High Court. It's travelled well with me until now and I'll miss it.

Throwing so much of my wardrobe out has made me think about Jessica's clothes in boxes upstairs. Some has already been sent to charity shops, but the 'most Jessica' of her clothes are still kept, maybe for dressing up boxes, maybe for Emily, maybe just for memories. I'm fearful that they could have been invaded but haven't dared look.

As Harry says, usually when he's in trouble and I'm a grumpy Daddy, "I'm not having a very nice life" today.

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