Even the Dogs

coroner: And why did you need to enter the flat that way?

laura: Because he’d bolted the door and couldn’t get out of his chair to come and open it, said he was ill or something.

coroner: Were you concerned about this?

laura: Not really. There was always something wrong with him, he was always coughing or puking or falling over or something. Didn’t make much odds if he couldn’t get out of his chair one day. Seen worse, you get me?

coroner: And there were four of you on this occasion, the last time you saw your father?

laura: Yeah.

coroner: And the other three were?

laura: Don’t really matter now does it.

coroner: I’m aware of the unfortunate circumstances of this inquest, Laura, but I would be very grateful if we could get these details on to the public record.

laura: Yeah right, whatever. (Expletive) It was me and Danny and Mike and Ben.

coroner: And by Mike I take it you mean Mr Crossley here?

laura: (inaudible)

coroner: I’ll note for the tape that you’ve nodded agreement. And at this point I would like to acknowledge the presence of Mr Mike Crossley in the court today. Ordinarily I would expect to call you as a witness, Mr Crossley, but as you were involved in a road traffic accident on the 27th December, and medical evidence supplied to me asserts that you have no recollection of the weeks prior to your accident, or indeed subsequent to it when you in fact spent five weeks in an induced coma, I see little benefit in asking you to testify. I do however thank you for your presence here today, albeit as a latecomer, and your stated willingness to be of assistance. I appreciate that your physical condition hasn’t made it easy for you to attend. Now, Laura, if we could continue.

We see Mike. And he says Eh now pal I’ll be off now then. I got some things I need to. I got a bus to. And we turn and. We see Mike still talking on his phone. Striding out into the middle of the road. His long coat swinging around his. Going I knew this kid at school and he. If they wanted to get a little closer to the truth the double the. Let me tell you a secret pal I’ve got all sorts up in this. Just so long as you. Road traffic accident is one word for it. More like bosh catch that bus in the face you know what I’m saying pal you know what. Step out in the middle of the road and. Couldn’t even get that right. When it came down to. Going too slow and caught it at an angle. The look on the driver’s face. Woke up all them weeks later giving it all Where am I where am I. Nurses were good but they weren’t actually angels you know what I’m. Weren’t no closer to heaven than before and weren’t no closer to the other place neither. You know what I’m. I’ve like descended to the. And come back to tell. So what am I meant to do now like. What’s the plan now Mikey pal. Got to have a plan. Takes like resourcefulness and. Takes a lot of. He keeps muttering away like this. Over his shoulder. Down Barford Street and through the markets. Over the footbridge and under the underpass and on up the hill towards the playing fields and the flats. Heading back to the flat because where else can he. Going slow. Two crutches and his legs wrapped in bandages. Crying out each time his foot hits the floor. Keeps going though but. Dragging his feet and leaning all his weight on those metal sticks. Keeps turning to look behind him, down near his ankles, like he thinks there’s a dog or a pack of hungry dogs coming after. But there’s nothing. What was he trying to. Did he think he could get out that. Did he think that was a way of getting away from. Couldn’t even get that right and instead he’s here now listening to all these questions and. What does he know. How much does he. Talking on the phone. And his long coat swinging around his. And Laura sitting in the court waiting for all the questions to come to an end.

coroner: . . . four of you entered the flat by the kitchen window, and stayed there, what, the rest of the day?

laura: A few hours, I suppose.

coroner: And what did you do while you were there?

laura: Stuff. You know.

coroner: You took drugs?

laura: (laughter) No comment like.

coroner: I appreciate that you don’t want to create any problems for yourself, Laura, but it is important that we get a clear picture of what happened that day. It is the last time we know of that anyone saw your father alive. So, let me rephrase the question – were drugs taken in the flat that afternoon?

laura: Yeah. Suppose.

coroner: Which drugs?

laura: Smack. Crack.

coroner: And did your father take any of these drugs?

laura: No. He never did. Never wanted to.

coroner: No, as would appear to be supported by the pathologist’s report. But he had no objection to others taking drugs on the premises?

laura: No.

coroner: Now. You’ve said in your statement to the police that when you left the flat it was because your father had asked you to buy some food and some alcohol for him, is that correct? And food for his dog?

laura: Yeah.