It was a beautiful early spring morning. The sun’s rays warmed Jim as he walked the dogs over the recreation ground. The light green buds were poised to burst open, the birds chattered. Jim smiled as he thought about his early retirement later that month. He would get to spend more time with the grandchildren or on the allotment.
He approached the house and saw Nettie at the window. Her face was white and she looked like she’d been crying. Jim’s brow furrowed and he quickened his pace, up the steps. She opened the door.
'Oh Jim, it's Davey... he's been killed!' she sobbed.
Jim felt as if he was being suffocated.
'How? What?' he spluttered.
'At work. There's been an accident they said. A fork-lift...' she trailed off. Jim sank down onto the stairs.
Jim's retirement has not taken the route he expected. He's hardly been on the allotment, though he has been helping Josie with the kids. They've all pulled together. They’ve had to. The kids don't understand where their dad has gone, and Nettie has been withdrawn and drained. She's not been sleeping at all. He's had to be strong. And now, this is the end. He is sitting on the steps outside the coroner’s court, salty tears dripping onto his best suit. Angry and confused and defeated. The evidence at the inquest was dry and empty, his son a walk-on character in a bigger drama. The villains, company directors all in expensive suits, gave evasive answers and joked among themselves when they thought no one was looking. His lawyer has already said that the CPS don't think a prosecution is likely. He is at the end of his tether when a group of Davey's mates approach. He pulls himself together one more time.
The first to speak is tall, with a shaven head, pierced eyebrow and tattoos.
'Mr Fowler, we're some of Davey's mates. We're disgusted by what's happened. We're angry. And we want to talk to you about what we're going to do next.'
The policeman's patience was wearing thin. Jim could see it in his eyes. The youngsters were right. No resources to keep a workplace safe and healthy. Loads to protect the profits of the firm that killed Davey. Jim glanced across at the row of people locked to the factory gate. He was surprised at how resourceful Davey's mates have been, getting bike locks and being here at 6am before the early shift started. They dealt with the press. There are cameras all over the place. He didn't know his son as well as he thought he did and learns more every day. Every day he feels heartache, but also pride. Pride in his son, and that his friends think so much of him they will risk so much for his memory.
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