Nobody's Perfect

by Steve Kirby

  I will be making a report on this matter to my Inspector and it will be up to him what action if any will be brought against you regarding tonight’s incident.

  You will be hearing from us within the next few days, in the meantime you have been warned against harassing or threatening Mr Wilson Is that understood?”

  Later that evening when Sam had calmed down enough to sit still without telling Becky how much he hated Colin and what he would do to him when he got his hands on him, they were both sat upstairs in their lounge.

  Sam heard laughing from outside he shot up to look out of the window, there was Colin, Rachel and Charlotte with her dog, a Japanese Akita, named Sheba who would bark and snarl at any other dog it saw.

  Charlotte had her work cut out to control her when she saw another dog. Charlotte looked up as Sam came to the window she quickly looked at Colin and said something, Colin looked up then they turned away laughing, this set Sam off again.

  “I’m going to smack that bastard so help me he won’t be able to hide behind the police forever, my time will come you twat!” He said staring at Colin.

  The three of them walked over to Charlotte’s house she put the dog inside then they all went over to number 15 where Lisa and Craig lived.

  Lisa answered the door there was a brief conversation Colin pointed in the direction of Sam’s house, Lisa looked over then nodded her head and all three followed her in.

  ***

  Even before Jack had stopped taking Roxy out it was Sam’s job every morning to give her a good walk on the millennium way before everyone went to work and school and she was left on her own until 4-30pm when Peter Becky’s eldest came home and took him for a quick walk.

  Both Peter and Stuart were oblivious to most of what was going on, they would come home from work, have a workout in the garage where they had a small gym set up with a rowing machine, weights bench and a multi-gym, then they would have a quick shower inhale their tea then it was out to their mates, girlfriends or the pub, they wouldn’t come back until about 10pm during the week then it would be a quick raid on the fridge and up to their rooms to fall asleep watching a DVD or playing on their X boxes.

  Colin never said anything to the two of them basically because they were both over six foot tall and worked out, they kept asking their mother if she wanted them to “Give him a slap” Becky used to laugh and say.

  ” Not yet lads but thank you.”

  Every morning when Sam took Roxy out he would see Mr Khan and have a quick chat but this morning Mr Khan just sort of gave a half hearted wave, put his head down and hurried off. Sam looked a bit confused.

  When he got back he told Becky about Mr Khan.

  “So he’s in their gang now is he?” Sam gave Becky a curious look.

  “What do you mean in their gang becks?”

  “Well it’s just that I saw those two from next door going into his house last night while you were in the shower, didn’t think anything about it till you said that. Never mind they’ll see through him soon enough.”

  Chapter13

  Becky’s mother Mavis or May as she was known would pick Jack and Lizzy up from school each day and keep them at her house until Becky picked them up at 5pm, during the school holidays Becky would drop them off at 8-30am and they would spend the day with “Granny Bash” as they called her.

  She would spoil them rotten they got everything they wanted, she used to say it was “Granny’s privilege” to spoil her grandchildren, and since her husband Joe died eight years ago she had started to live again through her grandchildren and they loved their granny bash to bit’s.

  The following Friday Sam and Becky were sat in their lounge it was a beautiful summers evening, Peter and Stuart were out for the night Jack and Lizzy were staying at their Grandmas overnight she was taking them to see “Thomas the tank engine.” At York railway museum, they were a bit old for Thomas but they loved the chance to spend the day being spoilt by Grandma.

  Sam was looking out of the lounge window; he turned to Becky a mischievous smile on his face.

  “Hey, we’re on our own all night tonight sexy, it’s only half past six how about we take the dog for a walk along the millennium way? We can call at the pub for a quick drink in the beer garden, then get some fish and chips eat them out of the paper, what do you think?”

  Becky started laughing.

  “Eat them out of the paper? Well you old romantic you, that would be lovely, come on get the dog.”

  After a couple of drinks at “The Railway pub.” Fish and chips out of paper, Sam and Becky made their way home holding hands and being giddy chatting about what the rest of the night promised.

  It was 9-30 and just beginning to come dark, as they approached the estate Sam noticed Charlotte was stood talking to Rachel and Colin, she had her dog with her but he was tied to the fence on the pathway at the side of the Wilson’s house.

  When Rachel saw Sam and Becky she said something to Charlotte who looked around, she then untied Sheba and retied her at the front of the Wilsons garden so Sam and Becky had to walk past the dog to get to their garden.

  Sam saw what was happening so he swapped places with Becky so Roxy was between them and on a short lead; they stepped off the pavement and walked on the road to give the dog a wide birth.

  As they got level with Sheba she flew at Roxy, Sheba’s lead was longer than Sam had thought she was inches off Becky’s leg.

  Becky jumped backwards as the dog growled and snapped.

  “Stupid! That thing should have a muzzle on its dangerous!”

  Charlotte yanked the lead back, she looked at Becky.

  “Who are you calling Stupid you fat bitch!”

  “I was referring to your dog it but if the cap fits sweetheart, and as for me being a “fat bitch” have you no mirrors in your house?”

  Sam walked over and put his hand on Becky’s arm.

  “Come on love leave it.”

  “Yes you listen to your husband!” Charlotte said untying Sheba from the fence.

  “Yes do as he say’s or I’ll let her bite you properly next time, go on get in you old cow!”

  Becky’s face was bright red anger was welling up inside her.

  Sam was getting worried this could get out of hand he looked at Rachel and Colin they were just standing there smiling.

  Sam grabbed his wife’s arm tighter but it was too late she erupted. Becky shook Sam’s hand off her arm, then let rip.

  “Old cow? Old cow? Well at least I’ve GOT a husband it would do you good if you got rid of that flea bag dog and get yourself a man you fat slag.” Sam stood and winched.

  “You call me a slag? Why should I get a man so you can sleep with him like you tried with Colin? Yes he’s told us everything, bet HE doesn’t know does he?” She said pointing to Sam.

  “We all know about you around here, why don’t you do us all a favour and piss off the lot of you.” Sam had had enough.

  “Right enough! You!” He said pointing at Charlotte.

  “You get back to your house and you two I don’t know what lies you’ve been spreading about us but it stops now, do you hear me!”

  Charlotte walked towards Sam her dog snarling and barking.

  Sam looked at the dog but stood his ground, this made Charlotte stop and pull the dog back.

  “Why don’t the lot of you just sell up and get out, nobody wants you around here.” Sam laughed.

  “Is that right, Well lady apparently you are only renting your house so as far as I’m concerned your opinion means nothing to me so why don’t you take that bitch and go home, and if you ever upset my wife again I will ring your landlord and have you evicted, how about that then?”

  “Who are you calling a bitch?”Charlotte screamed, Sam just looked at her and laughed.

  ”Ha ha.... you if you want, Come on love” Sam said getting hold of his wife’s hand.

  “Let’s leave the sad gits to it.”

  The rest of Friday evening was a bit subdued, Beck
y was so angry about being called a fat bitch, She had to tell Sam what had gone on the other day with Colin, Sam was livid and she had all on to stop him going round to sort him out but as he calmed down he could see Becky was crying and full of guilt for not telling him.

  Sam tried his best to cheer her up but it was futile, now he had another reason to slap Colin.

  Becky went to bed and Sam fell asleep on the settee.

  ***

  Monday evening when Sam got home he checked the post, Becky was making tea.

  “You’re not going to believe this Becks but we have been summoned to attend Dewsbury police station on Saturday Morning 10-30am, regarding several complaints made against us.”

  “What!” Becky said in disbelief.

  “Dewsbury police station, Well we’re not going and that’s that, we haven’t done anything wrong it’s him next door I’ll kill him.”

  “Whoa Becks be careful, I got into trouble for saying that.”

  “I’m not bothered Sam we have done nothing wrong so I’m not going.”

  “We have to Becks, If we don’t they’ll probably arrest us.”

  They arrived at Dewsbury police station at 10-15, there was nobody at the counter when they arrived Sam rang the phone as instructed by the notice stuck to the counter top, the phone was answered by a female voice after ringing for a couple of minutes, Sam spoke.

  “Hello yes this is Mr and Mrs Hawksworth, we had a letter telling us to attend here today at 10-30.”

  “Alright Mr Hawksworth if you wouldn’t mind taking a seat I’ll let them know you’re here.” Sam put the phone down and turned to Becky.

  “We have to wait here.”

  The two of them sat down and surveyed the room, there were eight chairs secured to the floor by heavy bolts a large grey door with a combination lock which led behind the counter.

  Notice boards with posters showing policemen and woman doing various roles, telling old people the time, talking to a motorist and pointing in a authoritative manner and a police woman standing with her arms folded in front of a tape bearing the words “Police Line Do Not Cross.”There was also a monitor fixed to the wall inside a large cage this was showing “The West Yorkshire Police Roll within the Community.”

  Sam watch for a while laughed and nodded towards the monitor.

  “What a load of rubbish. They only believe the first person who complains to them, they never listen to the other side of the argument.” Becky took a deep breath and gave Sam an angry look.

  “Sam will you try and calm down please, I don’t want you getting arrested.”

  “I will Becks but that guy’s a bully why can’t anyone see him for what he is, Just because we don’t live our lives as sad as those two, he doesn’t like it.”

  Becky looked down at the floor and shook her head.

  “Please Sam, promise me please don’t start let’s just see what they have got to say and get out of here, Ok?”

  “Ok babes I promise.” Rebecca knew Sam he would have his say no matter what, she just smiled at him shook her head.

  “I love you Sam Hawksworth.” Sam laughed.

  “Will you come and visit me in Wakefield prison babes? And maybe bring me a cake with a file in.”Becky shook her head.

  “I’ll be glad of the peace and quiet; I think I’ll leave you there for a few years.”

  “Nasty bitch!” Sam said playfully punching Becky on the arm.

  The grey door opened and a short blond haired officer came bursting through.

  “Mr Hawksworth?” he said with a big smile on his face. Sam stood up.

  “That’ll be me then.” He said nodding his head towards the officer.

  “I’m P.C Davis will you follow me please?” Rebecca also stood up. The officer held up his hand.

  “I’m sorry Mrs Hawksworth but it’s just Mr. Hawksworth for the moment please; we will interview you after if you don’t mind.” Rebecca sat back down wondering if was going to be the last time she saw her husband until the trial; she hoped and prayed he would stay calm.

  Sam was led through the grey door into a small corridor about eight feet long with a cell type door at the other end this had bars on and a large brass lock, the PC closed the door behind Sam, then walking in front of him produced a large bunch of keys from his pocket, these were secured to his belt by a long silver chain, he held them in front of him as he walked looking for the key for the lock, finding the key as he reached the door, he opened it, stepped forward and held it open for Sam to walk through, he then let go of the door it slammed shut behind Sam, the noise of it made Sam jump, he thought to himself.

  “If that was done for effect it’s worked.”

  Sam followed the PC down another corridor, they came to a door marked” Interview room 2.”PC Davis pushed the door open and turned to Sam.

  “Just take a seat in here please Mr Hawksworth.” Sam walked in there was a table in the centre of the room with four chairs, sitting on one of the chairs with their back to the door was a policewoman, she turned as Sam walked in and gestured him to sit in one of the chairs opposite, Sam sat down gingerly, PC Davis walked in and closed the door.

  On the table in front of the WPC were two folders and two tapes.

  PC Davis sat down the WPC passed him one of the folders and the tapes.

  “Right Mr Hawksworth, I’m PC Simon Davis and this is my colleague WPC Wendy Hanson and the reason you have been asked to attend today is with regards an incident concerning yourself, your neighbour’s Mr Colin Wilson, His wife Rachel Wilson and Mrs Charlotte Winsor on Friday 8th June 2001.

  Anyway first of all thank you for coming.”

  Sam looked at him a little confused.

  ”Did I have a choice?” Davis gave Sam a childish grin and said in a jocular manner.

  “Not really. Right, this is a formal interview so for that reason it will be taped and WPC Hanson will take notes, do you understand?” Sam held up his hands.

  “I have no problems with that.” Davis continued.

  “At any time now or during the interview you my ask for legal advice, Do you wish to call your solicitor or have me arrange for the duty solicitor to be present?”

  Sam shook his head.

  “That won’t be necessary after all I’m not under arrest am I?”

  “No no Mr Hawksworth not at all, but this interview will be passed on to my inspector for review, Now what he decides will determine what action if any will follow.”

  Sam went through what had happened that evening and also the other complaints Colin had made about Jack.

  “The guy’s a bully just because we want to live our lives the way we want to he doesn’t like it so him and Rachel have started this vendetta against us.” PC Davis leaned forwards and put his elbows on the table.

  “Why do you think that is?”

  “I haven’t a clue. Look we asked Sergeant Walker for mediation and nothing has come of it, no one’s told us if it’s happening or not.” PC Davis tapped the page where WPC Hanson had just written what Sam had said, she underlined it and Davis nodded. He then looked across at Sam.

  “Well we’ll look into that in the meantime there is the matter of Mrs Winsor and her complaint, on the evening of the 8th June did you call Mrs Winsor a bitch?”

  “No I was talking about her dog but she thought I called her it and jokingly I said you if you want. Look her dog is Rangoon, it goes for any other dog it sees, it should wear a muzzle.”

  “Well according to Mrs Winsor, It’s only your dog it has a problem with.

  Apparently she has to give your dog a wide berth otherwise they fight.

  Mrs Winsor also claims the day after, Saturday the 9th you were both on the millennium way walking your dogs, she was going home and you were going out.

  When you allegedly blocked her path and called her a slag, she also states that you told her you were going to get her and her crazy dog, is this true?”

  “Well as she said in her statement “It’s only my dog” he
rs has a problem with, it would be very difficult stopping to have a conversation with her when the dogs are going ballistic now wouldn’t it?”

  PC Davis nodded his head in agreement.

  “Well given what she said...Yes I suppose it would be quite difficult.”

  Sam looked from one officer to another his hands outstretched.

  “Look they are all laying and the three things I hate most are liars, Bullies and Racists, now the sooner we can get to mediation the better, let’s just get this sorted then they can leave us alone and let us get on with our lives.