The Garden Party

by Peter Turnbull

  ‘Long Liz’ Petty nodded. ‘Understood,’ she said.

  ‘If you’d like to get in the car, please?’ The WPC turned and walked away. ‘Long Liz’ Petty and Penny Yewdall stood.

  ‘Well, I suppose this is it . . .’ Long Liz said. ‘I’ll send you a postcard from time to time.’

  ‘Yes, I’d like that . . . care of the Murder Squad, New Scotland Yard. Send me one when you arrive, and one each year after that.’

  ‘Miss Adnam!’ The woman police constable stood indignantly by the car holding the rear door open. ‘We can’t wait.’

  ‘Gotta go . . .’ Petty began to walk to the car ‘Gotta new life to catch.’

  The room was hushed. The man and woman stood up together, holding hands. The man said, ‘Hello. We are Harry and Kathleen and we are alcoholics.’

  And the people in the room chorused, ‘Hello, Harry and Kathleen.’