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Blind Justice

May Parker shuffled around her kitchen putting away the breakfast crockery in the appropriate cupboards in her own special order. May was a blind registered pensioner living on her own. She lived in one of the many terraced houses in Harper RD Brighton. she checked her Braille watch for the time. it had just gone 10am, her good friend and neighbor Stella Howes was due to call on her to take her to the local supermarket to assist her with her shopping at 11:15am.

May was just about to make a cup of tea and listen to the radio for awhile, when the door bell rang. Having checked her watch she knew that it couldn't be Stella. who is it she called out.

"I'm from the water board a mans voice replied"

"I'm not expecting any one from the water board " May answered

"we have sent out leaflets in this area and hand delivered some in this area"

"well I wouldn't know that " she said "Only because I' m a blind person" she added

oh dam thought May to herself i shouldn't have told him that : perhaps once he sees me he will go away.

she gingerly opened the door "sorry" he said "i didn't know. "may stopped him by putting out her hand and touching his elbow. May was only about five feet tall in height and by touching his arm she knew that he must be about six feet tall. Judging by  his voice she detected a midlands accent and having touched his arm.

she knew that he wasn't wearing a denim service Jacket. Being blind over a number of years. May had learnt how to use her other senses.

"You had better come in for a few moments" she said may I lead you into the kitchen "Sit yourself down" she said " I was just about to make a cup of tea" she added.

"well I have to" May stopped him again with a little plead in her voice "besides I could do with a bit of company" she moved towards the sink area and filled the kettle on the work surface " could you get the milk out of the fridge for me please" she asked . She heard him move his chair. As he stood up "it's in a blue and white jug in the fridge" May added. May heard him open and close the fridge door "just put it on the table please" she said as she switched the kettle on  "What's your name" she ask as causally as possible "Gorge May field lady" he said. As he sipped his tea. she knew she had keep him talking until Stella arrived, she was sure he was a con man "I expect you've made a few calls this morning" she said. "Yes i have, mind you I didn't start until 9:30 this morning" He replied.

"You must of meet my neighbor Mrs Watson at number 33, she has got a very lively jack russell dog." "oh that lady" he said "she had to put the dog in the back garden before she could let me in." he said.

My good god thought May to herself I've just made that story up. She moved her hand over to her watch it was 10 to 11am. come on stella be a bit early, may was gambling that once this conman heard the door bell ring he would make a hurried departure. Her thoughts were interrupted as the conman said "Well i must get on with the job, could you help me out here" he added.

"What do you mean" may asked with some curiosity. "can you just go and turn your taps on in the kitchen and leave them running please" he requested " while i go upstairs and check the water pressure in the bathroom".

" The Boiler is in the airing cupboard on the landing" May said trying not to sound as if she was panicking. Her thoughts were screaming out at her. it had just gone past eleven. then she breathed a sigh of relieve as the door bell rang. May moved over to the bottom of the stairs and called out as loud as she could "ok Stella I'm coming just a moment" It worked , the conman came hurriedly down the stairs heading for the front door nearly knocking May over and brushing past Stella "Morning ladies" he said as he made a good his escape.

May explained to Stella what happened and of course they phoned the police. a few hours later a very pleasant wpc came round to the house and took statements form them both.

about a fortnight later a friendly policeman called at Mays house together with a lady from age concern. the policeman explained to may that they have caught the man who had stolen several items from her house, fortunately they had recovered her property.

but only because Miss Parker you able to give us some valuable information, including his finger prints on the milk jug and his dna on the tea cup and is he going to be surprised to know that a blind pensioner wasn't such an easy target.

                                Frank Burnham     November 07