Free Underwood by Colin Griffiths

the town it had been empty for a long time, whilst the empty ones provided work for the gardeners and handymen, he would rather see them occupied, he noticed the garden at no.12 had been kept in excellent shape, ‘I must remember to tell the gardener to take his reward’ he told himself.
     
    He stood at the top of the path to number 12, he took in the air with deep breaths, his chest rising and falling, and he stood like that for a short while before walking down the path.
     
    He didn’t knock the door, he didn’t need to, after all he was the good lord in these parts, he could come and go as he pleased, he was the master of the town, feared more than the sheriff, with his master key he opened the door, though Andy Thomas always thought that if he ever forgot his key, the doors would open for him anyway.
     
    The three of them jumped when the vicar walked into the room, their eyes set on this tall thin faced man, dressed in a brown suit and what looked like a ridiculous hat, he removed his hat, they could now see his harsh face, he made the sign of the cross on his chest, but the spiritual act made them all feel even more uncomfortable, it was more like a curse than a blessing, it was done without conviction,
    ‘Shall we all sit at the table’ he asked, though it wasn’t a question, it was a demand, he thought they were all looking at his balding head, he didn’t like that.
     
    This was just another crazy incident in what was turning out to be the worst day of their lives, and as Eileen looked at the man with the dog collar it gave her no comfort at all, and it should have done, a man of god should be caring and emphatic, he certainly didn’t look like a man of god, Nathan grabbed his mother’s arm tightly, Lily just sat open mouthed, it was like the Devil had come to them, she felt glad that she wasn’t a church goer.
    ‘Can you tell me where Peter is’ Eileen stuttered, her whole body seemed to shiver now, anxiety and fear forever growing inside her, she needed Peter, she needed him now.
    Andy pointed to the dining table in the other half of the room, it was a gesture Eileen thought she had better respond to, they sat at the table, all three shaking wondering what fete was ahead of them, Andy sat with them, he put the clipboard on the table in front of him, stroked his chin, he still hadn’t said a word and the more they looked at him the less of a man of god he became,
    ‘Well can you tell me’ Eileen demanded, surprised at her own forcefulness, she put her hand over her mouth like a scalded child, Lily just stared at the man in the dog collar, Nathan bit his bottom lip, he was shaking.
    Andy could not deal with this insubordination, he had a busy day ahead, and he talked like he was giving a lecture, not from the pulpit.
    ‘The sheriff is the top man in these parts, your husband showed him disrespect, the judge will rule this evening, you may attend the ruling, it will be held in the sports centre’
    ‘but he hasn’t done anything wrong’ Lily screamed, she just wanted her father back, Andy eyed Lily up, she looked young but seemed to be developing well, Eileen grabbed her arm in a manner that told her to be quiet, Andy recognised that and was prepared to let it lie, Lily slumped back in her chair, screwed up her nose and let out a sigh,
    ‘What are your ages’ he demanded?
    ‘I am 40, Nathan is 12, Lily 14’ Eileen answered, ‘why do you need to know our ages’ she answered the question before she realised the absurdity of it,
    Andy jotted it down, wishing they had made the age of consent 14 instead of 16, but rules are rules, he did not answer Eileen’s question, he was there to ask them.
    ‘You will all have to go for a medical tomorrow, as you are aware its school holidays, your first day at school will be the 2 nd of September, his eyes went to Nathan and Lily,
    ‘This is crazy ‘said Lily, ‘I don’t live here, I do not want to live here, I don’t want to go to your fucking