Date: Sat, 27 Jan 2024 07:51:43 +0000 From: Jonah Subject: Harrovian life chapter 5 Harrovian Life by Jonah It is a few years now since Nifty carried the story "A letter from America". A good few stories have succeded it and the action has moved about a bit too. In this one it is firmly back with Jonah in Harrow, but some twenty years later. Simon, Peter and Luke have grown up and in some cases have children of their own. This story comes immediately after "Whiteout". It is a work of fiction in every sense so, if you think you recognise yourself, or somebody else, in here - you don't. At least one of the characters was originally the creation of another author. I'd like to thank Jacob Lion, in the USA, for permission to use his characters. The story is about love - the real sort - so if you're looking for pornography, you'd best look elsewhere. Nifty doesn't charge either you or I to publish these stories, but it does cost money to publish them. Please consider donating to Nifty at https://donate.nifty.org/ so that he can keep these stories coming. Chapter 5 "They're the police, Billy. I don't think you can stop them. Ask Adam if he wants me to be there and, whether he does or not, you stay with him." "Just a tick Guv." I suppose "Guv." is and improvement on "Joanie". "He says he'll be alright so long as I'm there." "That'll be fine then. Oh and Billy ......Thanks." "What was that Jonah?" asked Peter. "The Metropolitan Police doing their job," I replied. "Nothing for us to worry about." The phone repeated its ringtone. "Jonah Cummings." "Are you on your own Dad?"Luke wanted to know. "I am if you don't count Peter or Garret," I replied. "It doesn't matter anyway. You've just given birth to twins. Rikki's a grandad." "I think you meant that the other way round but congratulations my boy. Are they alright?" "Rikki and Charlie are both asleep, but Cynthia is having plenty to say for herself. I don't know how the other two can sleep." "You're going to need to find out in the next few months," I told him. "Here's Peter." Well Peter had a word with his brother and Garret had a word with his brother-in-law, and it was a very euphoric Luke to whom I finally said goodbye. We returned to the flat and discussed sleeping arrangements for about ten minutes before Peter switched on the television. It was nearly always Peter who did that, though it wasn't something he was brought up to. Garret told me that the television in his home didn't see much service either. Simon had evidently decided to bring up their boys as I had brought him up. Being married to Marion, Peter probably hadn't had that option. I'm pretty sure that Marion, knowing my sexual preference, wouldn't have allowed mention of my name in their home. Everybody except Flash enjoyed a small whisky before bedtime. That was not my usual habit but, I recalled that I had just become the grandfather of twins. I had been a twin myself but, knowing their parents, I was sure that these twins would have a happier childhood than I had. Sunday morning saw us up and breakfasted and ready for Church, with the exception of Garret. Garret was a devout Christian but had never developed a habit of Church attendance. I wondered whether he might affect a singularity by accompanying us, but he said he preferred to keep Flash company. The telephone rang as I put on my coat. "Jonah Cummings." "Good Morning Jonah, It's Sergeant Roberts." "Good morning Jason. How can I help you?" "Are you off to Church this morning?" "Yes, you just caught me. Is that a problem? Has something happened?" "Well, we've made an arrest, but, no it's not a problem. I just wondered if you'd mind popping round to the station when you're finished in Church." "Of course I wouldn't mind. I'll have Peter with me, will that be OK?" "Yes, it might save us some time, since we'll have to talk to him at some stage." "OK, I'll see you later then. Bye for now." Well Church was not going to command my full attention after that. After the service, Peter and I forewent (is there any such word?) the coffee and biscuits and made for South Harrow Police Station. The constable on reception immediately summoned Jason, who seated us in an interview room. "I'm sorry Peter," said Jason. "I'm going to need a statement from you too but it's important that we take them separately. Would you mind waiting in the waiting room. Kevin will get you a cup of tea." Peter said that he would be happy to, so he followed Jason out. When Jason returned he was in the company of a plain-clothes officer - a large man of around fifty with thinning grey hair. "Jonah, this is D.I. Joe Corey. He's going to conduct the interview and take your statement. I'm going to sit in." "That's fine. I'm pleased to meet you, D.I. Corey." "Likewise Mr. Cummings. Now I have to tell you that there is no doubt that your grandson has been sexually abused. We have the perpetrator in custody and the case is not disputed. He admitted the offence and gave us the names of three other boys who he has assaulted. He assured me that he did not think of his actions as abusive at the time but realised that they were when approached by the police. He has also promised to co-operate so that none of the boys will need to give evidence in court." "well I wouldn't call any of that good news, but it certainly isn't as bad as it could be." "Mr. Cummings, Adam truanted from school for most of Tuesday. To your knowledge has he ever done such a thing before?" "I know he hasn't." "And did the school advise you that he had done so on Tuesday?" "They did, via the School Welfare Officer." "Was Adam present when he did that?" "Yes." "And did the welfare officer tell you directly that Adam had truanted, or did he simply challenge Adam about it?" "He asked Adam where he had been." "Which is how you knew he had not been in school?" "Yes." "And, later that evening, Adam attempted suicide and was taken to hospital, where he has been since." I nodded, but then said "yes" so that he could write it down. He passed his paperwork to me. "Mr. Cummings, I have just written down our conversation. Where your comments have been in response to questions from me, I have inserted the questions so that your replies won't be taken out of context. Can you read it for me now and, if you agree that it is accurate, sign it where I've put those two crosses." I read the paper carefully before signing it. "Does Adam know you've made an arrest?" I asked. "I should think so. We haven't told him but I expect he'll know. I was at his bedside last night with DC Crisp. We asked him why he had attempted suicide and, since his father had impressed on him the importance of being truthful with policemen, he told us all about it. We were able to go straight out and make the arrest." "Are we ready for Peter now?" Jason asked. "Yes please Jason," replied D.I. Corey. "It's been a pleasure meeting you Mr. Cummings. If you go with the sergeant, he'll find you a cup of tea." Moments later I was seated behind the bullet-proof glass of South Harrow Police Station, drinking tea in company with PC Kev Hall. When Peter and I arrived back at the flat, it didn't really surprise me to find that Garret had made dinner. Of course, he'd have done that back in Newton St Faith. "Are either of you going into hospital this afternoon?" Garret asked after dinner. "One of us should, I suppose," I said. "One of you certainly should," Garret agreed. "If you don't he'll think he's talked to the police and now he's being treated like a leper." "Do you want me to go?" Peter asked. "What're you planning to say to him?" Garret queried. "Well, I suppose...... I suppose I don't know." "Do you want Jonah to see how he is first?" "I'd like you to see him first," I said, "but I don't suppose the nursing staff would let you." "No, but they'd let you. I can give you a lift if you like." "No, a good walk would help to settle that excellent dinner. See that Flash looks after you both." It is a good stretch from Rayners Lane to Northwick Park, even for one who walks as briskly as I do. It was past half past two when I arrived there to find Adam in earnest conversation which stopped as soon as I appeared. "Woah Joanie, does this mean I can finally have my coffee break?" "It most certainly does not. Not if you're going to call me that. I've spoken to you about that before." "Sorry Mr. Cummings. Did you want to be alone with Adam?" "Yes please Billy, but everybody else calls me Jonah. Don't be too long will you." Adam sat in silence for a couple of whole minutes. I wasn't going to pressure him into talking about anything he didn't want to, but I was aware that the silence was uncomfortable for both of us. Eventually, "I guess I got Steve into trouble," he muttered.