Life in the Hood

There was a ring at the doorbell, which was followed by a knocking -- I'd been tempted to ignore it, but it sounded like a postman with a parcel, although I'm not expecting anything. I check that I'm wearing trousers (actually I'm not sure I did) and ran to answer it.

There's a policeman, making inquiries about an incident on the street. In the early hours of New Year's Eve. I think at the time I was having a nose bleed in Estelle and Dave's kitchen in Hull, so I can't have heard anything.

"I think it wasn't loud enough for me to hear," I say.

He looks at me. "Can I take your name?" he asks. And writes it in his book.

H'mm.

A few hours later, I go to the the corner shop to buy a stamp, some tinned fruit and a tin of evap. "Have the police been in?" I ask Julian.

Apparently not, but he'd noticed them around.

"They were asking questions about something on New Year's Eve, so they've sprung into action. I'm guessing it must be coming to trial."

"Ah, there was a disturbance outside the pub," said Julian. "A stabbing."

"Oh, right. Bang goes the neighbourhood."

"Oh," he adds, "it wasn't a serious stabbing."

"Ah, a comical one?" I ask. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.