- Don’t forget our Shula
- “They are only cows”
- Richard Rushworth – coroner for south Borchester
- Vicky is back, and in very good form
- David’s Inquest account
- Accidental death
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Don’t forget our Shula
If things had been slightly different, Nigel would have married Shula.
(well, if Shula had actually fancied him!)
Still, they were very good friends, and, as Shula said today, Nigel was incredibly supportive when Shula’s Mark was killed.
“They are only cows”
Just as David was leaving Brookfield to go to Nigel’s inquest, four cows were being taken away to slaughter because of Johne’s disease.
He’s a tad stressed and down about it, but is trying to keep it in perspective considering what Elizabeth has lost.
(How many cows do we reckon Nigel was worth?)..
Richard Rushworth – Coroner for south Borchester
Joined by Pam Clarkson, the Coroner’s Officer.
[Richard] “We’re here to induct an inquest into the death of Mr Nigel Gerald Pargetter. Its purpose is to establish the facts, who the deceased was, when, where and how he died …it’s an inquest not inquisition …”
At this point, I think we were all wondering if David would see it like that …
Vicky is back, and in very good form
I quite like Vicky.
Yes she’s loud and verging on offensive, but she doesn’t mean any harm. At least – she hasn’t so far.
She turns up as Hayley and Phoebe are shopping for Phoebe’s South Africa trip.
Phoebe’s being a bit stroppy (I paraphrase, but it was along the lines of ‘duh, mum. They have toothpaste in South Africa’)/
On chatting to Phoebe:
[Vicky] “You’re not happy about it, are you?”
Phoebe admits it’s all become such a big deal, and that she’s still stressed about it. Even with Jennifer tagging along.
But not to fear – Vicky has the solution, which she reveals as she takes them for something “nice” in Underwoods Café
As Hayley goes to get the something “nice”:
[Vicky] “What are you feeling then, Lovey?”
[Phoebe] “Three whole weeks. Without mum or dad. And Abby. And it’s Easter … It’s my own fault. I made such a fuss about going. And I can’t say anything now”
Phoebe still wants to go, but is feeling sad that she’ll be leaving her folks back in England – and she can’t talk to them about it as she made such a fuss to go in the first place.
[Vicky] “But that doesn’t mean like it isn’t perfectly normal to feel like you are. You have people you love in two different places”
So Vicky’s solution – buy Hayley something “nice” (she’s a poet and a half, is our Vicky), wrap it and hide it to be found when Phoebe has gone.
Buy something nice for them – hide it.
[Phoebe] “Oh Grandma Vicky … oh yes, yes please!”
[Vicky] “Oh look. I think I see cupcakes coming!”
Good on ya Vicky. Phoebe’s feeling bad that Hayley might think she doesn’t love her as much as she loves Kate (which isn’t true … I hope), so simple solution saves the day.
Brilliant.
David’s Inquest account
[David] “Nigel went out first … conditions dark … moon out … and it was cold … and the wind had got up a bit … tiles, bit of frost”
[Coroner] “You both start to inch your way across the roof …”
[David]” It wasn’t easy. Infact I slipped once. Nigel caught my arm. And then He volunteered to go and get the far end of the banner. He said he’d been clambouring around on that roof since he was a child … my end untied easily, the other end had been tied in a … it was more tricky”
[David] “Blew up … got caught on something … Nigel clamboured up after it … got loose again … flapped back in his face …started to slide down the roof … scrambling for footings with his hands and his feet … one of his shoes came off … I could see what was happening … I tried to get to him … Going through it now, I can see it all in slow motion. But at the time it was done in seconds”
On being asked by the coroner if he had anything else to add:
[David] “I’m so sorry Elizabeth!”
[Coroner] “Of course you are, Mr Archer. I’m sure we all are”
So – the banner was 10 foot – so David was a fair bit away from Nigel (so couldn’t get to him).
David also didn’t mention Kenton’s knot. Very noble and apt, but I wonder if that will come up in the next David/Kenton row?
And Nigel losing a show as he fell … that will stay with me for a long time.
Accidental death
[Elizabeth] “Accidental death. So. There we are”
And that’s that.
The coroner, everyone agrees, was very nice. And he said that because of the pitch of the roof, the frost and the banner – there was nothing David could have done.
But David still feels guilty. As he heads off to have a walk, he calls Ruth.
Trying to talk about cows rather than the inquest:
[David] “I said it was fine”
[Ruth] “David. This has to be an end to it, doesn’t it?”
[David] “An end?”
[Ruth] “It’s official. Accidental death. Case Closed. A line drawn under it. David, it’s over”
… we leave Ambridge as David is quietly sobbing down the phone to Ruth …
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