Chapter 1
“If I had known today was going to turn out like this I would never have left the house. Just goes to show, you never know what’s around the corner do you?”
John Chapman sat back in the tubular steel chair and nervously brushed his hands over his short brown hair before leaning forward again. “I mean, I get up and drive to work every morning at the same time, spend the day there and then home again.”
The table creaked as his elbows bore more pressure down onto it. He released both index fingers from the dovetailed clasp of their neighbours and tapped them together in rhythm while attempting to think his way out of this deep confusion.
Sergeant Cooper, the middle-aged police officer sitting opposite him could feel his face muscles tightening, and although still keeping a professional calm, his stern look betrayed his inner thoughts, ‘Bloody nutcase’. How could he really expect this copper to believe him when he couldn’t even comprehend it himself?
“You’re sure there’s been no report of it?”
Sergeant Cooper sighed while still holding onto his composure, “The number 36 service is operating fine sir, and as far as the route you mention Mr. Chapman, there have been no incidents reported today. We’ve also checked the other buses in the area and the worst we’ve found was a flat tyre on the 128 at 7:30 this morning. All
buses have been accounted for and other than the flat tyre, they’re all running as usual.”
“Well where do you think I got this from then?” John pointed to the fresh gash and developing bruise above his right eye.
The sergeant nodded in acceptance. “I think you need to get that looked at. Hold on.” He disappeared for a while and returned with an orange first aid box. “Here, give it a wipe with these, at least it’ll stop you terrorising people until you get it seen to.” He handed him a couple of sachets of surgical wipes and two plasters.
“Cheers.”
"Do you feel dizzy at all?”
John let out a huff as he wiped his forehead. “I know what you’re inferring but I’m fine, really.”
Sergeant Cooper looked at him and nodded without saying a word.
“I don’t understand, you’ve definitely checked…”
“Sir, really. I’ve taken your report seriously and checked everything you’ve told me, but there’s nothing.” He held his hands up in submission. “I think you need to go home now and sleep on it. If you still feel as strongly tomorrow morning then you’re welcome to come back.” By then I’ll be off duty. He stood up pushing the chair away from the table with the backs of his straightened knees and held his right hand out in the direction of the door. “I would suggest that you get that cut looked at sir, you may need it stitched.”
John had never felt so confused but knew he’d outstayed his welcome. If he was honest with himself he couldn’t expect any more from the sergeant.
“Something’s not right,” he whispered to himself.
Home
John Chapman sat back in the tubular steel chair and nervously brushed his hands over his short brown hair before leaning forward again. “I mean, I get up and drive to work every morning at the same time, spend the day there and then home again.”
The table creaked as his elbows bore more pressure down onto it. He released both index fingers from the dovetailed clasp of their neighbours and tapped them together in rhythm while attempting to think his way out of this deep confusion.
Sergeant Cooper, the middle-aged police officer sitting opposite him could feel his face muscles tightening, and although still keeping a professional calm, his stern look betrayed his inner thoughts, ‘Bloody nutcase’. How could he really expect this copper to believe him when he couldn’t even comprehend it himself?
“You’re sure there’s been no report of it?”
Sergeant Cooper sighed while still holding onto his composure, “The number 36 service is operating fine sir, and as far as the route you mention Mr. Chapman, there have been no incidents reported today. We’ve also checked the other buses in the area and the worst we’ve found was a flat tyre on the 128 at 7:30 this morning. All
buses have been accounted for and other than the flat tyre, they’re all running as usual.”
“Well where do you think I got this from then?” John pointed to the fresh gash and developing bruise above his right eye.
The sergeant nodded in acceptance. “I think you need to get that looked at. Hold on.” He disappeared for a while and returned with an orange first aid box. “Here, give it a wipe with these, at least it’ll stop you terrorising people until you get it seen to.” He handed him a couple of sachets of surgical wipes and two plasters.
“Cheers.”
"Do you feel dizzy at all?”
John let out a huff as he wiped his forehead. “I know what you’re inferring but I’m fine, really.”
Sergeant Cooper looked at him and nodded without saying a word.
“I don’t understand, you’ve definitely checked…”
“Sir, really. I’ve taken your report seriously and checked everything you’ve told me, but there’s nothing.” He held his hands up in submission. “I think you need to go home now and sleep on it. If you still feel as strongly tomorrow morning then you’re welcome to come back.” By then I’ll be off duty. He stood up pushing the chair away from the table with the backs of his straightened knees and held his right hand out in the direction of the door. “I would suggest that you get that cut looked at sir, you may need it stitched.”
John had never felt so confused but knew he’d outstayed his welcome. If he was honest with himself he couldn’t expect any more from the sergeant.
“Something’s not right,” he whispered to himself.
Home