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Whenever Oliver thought about the final three months of 2008 he could never quite suppress a sigh. It now seemed a lifetime ago.
The return of Shane Wentworth to the village of Falstaff Vale was at first not noticed by anyone that would inform the authorities as Shane keep well out of sight, hiding in Julie’s house in Flagon’s Valley by day. Hooter was living in dread of what would happen. All he knew was that Shane could not be there to be a friend to anyone.
As the weeks passed the Police appeared to have moved onto other investigations much to the frustration of PC Sam. He was sure that there was a lot more to be found out yet about Billy Dryden. But there was only so much police time to go round and a spate of burglaries in the four villages meant that the manpower was stretched thinner and thinner as the year progressed towards Christmas. The vandalism of Hallowene had continued over the Bonfire Night period, with fireworks being thrown, fires being started and eggs and flour being used to ‘redecorate’ various buildings. Bagley Cottage came in for a going over and as Oliver commented it only needed some cooking oil and they would have pancakes for a week.
The village hall was subjected to an attempt to set it on fire yet again which only failed because Norman putting out the rubbish at the Bullock’s Nose spotted three youths running away laughing. Knowing this could mean nothing good was going on Norman had walked along the road in time to see a pile of petrol soaked material bursting into flames and within minutes he was on the phone to the fire brigade. The damage had been minimal, although it was now even less likely that the council would use the insurance money to refurbish the existing building. They were more interested in finding money to go with the insurance pay out to build new. This time a building that would be protected with a high wall and anything else that would keep the thugs at bay.
As Christmas drew to only a week away Pru could bear the parting from her children no longer. The day Pru walked into the Police Station in Newtsbridge was also the day that Shane was at last tempted to take one chance too many. Shane was spotted in the village by Henrietta who was on the phone to the Police before Shane was even out of her sight. The resulting response was like a scene from a tv show. Police cars, vans and a helicopter descended on the village, with the local newspaper’s photographer in hot pursuit. To start with the Police seemed to be uncertain what to do now that they had arrived. But then Norman shouted from the pub that there was someone hiding behind his outhouse. Worried that Shane might be armed it was the armed response team who advanced into the pub car park, weapons at the ready. Shane – unarmed – put up no resistance and was lead away.
Pru was telling all that she knew, which to be fair wasn’t much. She had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had panicked. The Police now knew that Shane had been known to Billy. Billy’s ‘sister’ had still not reappeared. The blood soaked clothing linked Shane with the murder of Kevin Hawkling but there was nothing to say that ‘Lucy’ had been killed never mind that Shane was involved. Shane was saying nothing about anything.
A delighted Hooter was putting the finishing touches to a present he had bought for Pix. Well I say Hooter had bought it, it had indeed come from a shop. In the melee that had occurred as the shop had been put into administration and everything had been reduced in price Hooter, his Gran and Lulu had done well. Some of it his Gran had had to pay for but the kids were able to take their pick without any of the adults pushing and shoving to get bargains for themselves taking any notice. Hooter’s Gran was delighted and declared this a Christmas to remember. Pix’s other Gran – with whom she now lived – had been in touch with Julie and asked if Hooter would like to visit Pix. She knew that Lulu would not be interested in seeing her half-sister. The children’s Mum – Dolly – was still on remand and didn’t expect to be in court for her case to be heard until the summer. Hooter had jumped at the chance. The family were still in North London, having delayed their departure to their new home in France until the spring. Hooter was sent a rail ticket and duly arrived to spend the weekend before Christmas with his much missed sister. He enjoyed himself and Pix’s other grandparents were surprised to discover that Hooter was not the ruffian that they had supposed him to be. They had promised that they would invite him over to France one day. He would need a passport and he was not sure his Gran would approve of that, but that was for the future and he did not let that impinge on his two days of happiness.
Sedge was still much the same as always. It took a lot to push Sedge off track. He had thought that the move to Flagon’s Valley might lead to him having a better life but it didn’t seem to have turned out that way. It was now nearly a year since he had unpacked his bits and pieces in his new bedroom. In some ways it was as if he had stayed the same and only the location was different. He was working hard at school and was determined that how ever bad the secondary school he was destined to attend come September he would rise above it and get the education he knew he wanted. Sometimes Sedge thought about Joseph and wondered what the boy would have done with his life had he had a longer one. Even though Sedge knew he would never have done anything as silly as drinking from that stream he did acknowledge that he would never take tomorrows’ arrival for granted.
Sir Malcom Dunwiddy-Hoe was now aware of the displeasure that he had caused in the breast of Suzanna McPiece. There was frankly zero chance that Malcom would leave Maude for good and even less chance that he would divorce and commit to Suzanna. Maude had made the most of the situation and her garden had now been reinstated as a relaxation area, at no small expense. Malcom had decided that” something needs to be done” and to this end was even now plotting to stand for the European elections to be held in June 2009. As soon as Malcom had mentioned standing to Suzanna the ladies eyes had lit up. Where Malcom could stand so could she. It need come as no surprise to us if when the candidates’ list is published both Malcom and Suzanna are on it!
Fred Bloom is still on the mend. It is taking longer than he expected to get over being shot. That business with Ned didn’t help of course. Ned had decided to drop out from the University of Newtsbridge, having barely had time to settle into his course. His heart was no longer in it and he had returned to Canada to take a year to think about his future. Fred tried to be sorry but couldn’t be. How could Ned have been so stupid? Fred is still to be seen with clipboard in hand walking around the village talking to all about any complaints they may have. These days Fred is never short of someone to complain to him about this and that. Fred is happy in his own world and hopes that the area wont become a suburb of Newtsbridge one day with all the building going one. Although Fred admits that it would be better that than cease to exist altogether for some airport runway.
Christmas at the Vicarage was difficult to say the least. The New Year was even more difficult. Matthew, Sophia and Emma can only hope that the pain will decrease in time. They are waiting for Matthew to be moved to another parish. Claude the ginger cat has had the place to himself again since Joseph’s death. Mitzy the dog is now a permanent resident at the Bullock’s Nose. Norman had said he would get some exercise by walking the dog daily but that didn’t last. Now it is left to bar staff Flora or anyone Flora can sweet talk.
Bertrum Stamp is still waiting for the knock on the door to announce the arrival of the police to arrest him over the illegal tipping of chemicals on the land at Leafy Wood. So far the knock has not come but Bertrum knows it is only a matter of time. His Gerry-kitten did pop home for the holiday season but did not take much persuading to return to the West Indies for an extended stay in their villa. She didn’t ask questions.
Sybil Gummer is somewhere in the world filming animals and trying to make it look different to all the others who have filmed the same animals before she got to them. There will a new series on the telly in the autumn.
Fluer Shakesspear is looking for another job. She has never settled to the job of Community Development Worker to the four villages. To be honest she was out of her depth from day one. There was a Christmas event held in the village hall at Overly Down but that was organised under protest by Joyce Farthingale, who didn’t have the time but you know what they say about asking a busy person. It went off well enough and Fluer’s boss was pleased. Joyce made it plain that she would not be available for any more events and Fluer knew that she would never have the confidence to organize one by herself. It was then that Fluer decided that she should start looking around to see what else she might try to earn a crust.
Billy Dryden is still a free man. The Police have nothing to say that his ‘sister’ has been harmed or even who his ‘sister’ might actually be. Billy wont be telling them. As we know Lucy wasn’t Lucy. In fact she was the wife of Billy’s partner in crime – literally. The man known as Archie was the man with whom Billy had carried out a daring and profitable computer fraud. They had netted themselves a tidy sum and as far as Billy knew the money was waiting safely for them in overseas bank accounts. They had known that they would have to leave it alone for several years to let the dust settle. It was only when Archie had died that Billy had discovered that most of the money had been moved into accounts that he did not have access to. Lucy had come to live with Billy after Archie’s death. Lucy did not know that Billy had found out about the money being relocated. She found out one night when with the help of Shane - who Billy had met at the Bullock’s Nose - Billy asked Lucy where the money that was his might be found. Lucy had made the mistake of thinking that she was safe as long as she didn’t tell Billy anything. Unfortunately Shane had been well drunk that night and instead of doing what Billy had told him and frighten Lucy he had got too handy with his fists. The pair had done their best to stop the bleeding but it proved too much for them to handle. By the time they had fussed about taking Lucy to hospital or not it was too late and all they could do was cover their tracks. As for the money that is somewhere. Unless Billy gets very lucky he wont have the chance to live the life of luxury with those particular ill-gotten gains.
Lionel Gates has not returned with the children to Flagon’s Valley. Daisy came back from Spain to plead with Lionel and his Mother – his Father kept right out of it – to let her at least see the children. So far there is stalemate. This looks like a sad story that will run and run with the only real winners being the legal eagles.
And so we reach the end of our year in Falstaff Vale where we began, in the cottage of Oliver and Henrietta Sweetley. A lot has happened in the village, which can never be the same again. Like so many other parts of this country the village of Falstaff Vale was destined to change forever as the Government strove to find any land to build the never ending houses needed to house the ever growing population. Oliver will of course have an opinion about it all which he will impart to Henrietta, who will hopefully nod in the right place as it is doubtful that she will be listening.
THE END.
Page Last Updated - 24/01/2009 |  |
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