I get knocked down

Adam looked from one to the other; the grim-looking policeman, the smiling policewoman.

Thinking this must be some sort of good cop/bad cap routine, he nodded cautiously. "I don't mind answering your questions," he said, "but what are we doing here? How come we're not at the police station? And hang on - shouldn't I have a lawyer?"

In spite of the threatening looks he was getting from the policeman, he felt better for answering back. He was shocked at how quickly the situation was going from bad to worse, and the way he was just accepting the role he'd been given. At least speaking up made him feel less of a victim, he thought.

Unfortunately, it was probably also the reason the policeman stuck out his leg and pushed him over it, tripping him up again.

From his position on the ground, the officer's shoe looked all too close, and he didn't like the way he was tapping his foot to suggest an impatient nature.

"Oh dear sir," said the WPC. "There you go again - most unfortunate. You might even say clumsy."

This time she didn't bothering to help him up, leaving him where he was. "The reason sir, that we're not at the station is that this isn't really an official enquiry. And the reason you don't have a lawyer, as you put it, is that you're not under arrest. You're merely helping us with enquiries and you're free to go at any time. Isn't that right, Joe?"

Joe, her colleague, had moved back - effectively blocking the way out. But, scowling, he said "that's right. Any time."

Standing up gingerly, Adam asked what they wanted to talk to him about.

"Right, Mr Cotter," said the policewoman. "We'd like to know where the old lady is."



Part Two begins here.