George went for a walk along the promenade to clear his head after the festive period.
Alice his wife stayed at home to clear away the mess, aided by 2 year old daughter Tessa. Alice had no idea that she conceived last night but was hopeful.
George never listened to weather forecasts or interested in the tide. Today the sea was high with a heavy swell in a strong breeze. A wave crashed into the Prom sending debris into the air. A falling stone hit George on the head and knocked him to the ground. The second wave washed him into the sea to be carried away. Luckily he was spotted and reported. The police call handler dispatched a local car to investigate. There was only one report of the incident. The first informant was a bit vague, and thought the man or woman was wearing a red coat with reflective tape. With his information questioned, the first informant was not sure if it actually happened. The police constable warned him about hoax calls and left.
After 2 hours Alice was concerned and started to phone Georges friends and relatives, She was reassured he probably has gone for a coffee. After a further hour of phoning she dialed 999 and asked for the police. The call handler vaguely remembered a call about a man in a red coat on the prom, and advised to off load it to the Coastguard. Lifeboat, helicopter, and Coastguard search teams dispatched to search the bay. No one had the bottle to question a computer prediction that is false or inaccurate up to 3 miles off shore.
By this time the body of George had exited the bay and was buoyant just below the surface, 3 miles down the coast.
The search was completed at night fall. Nothing was found. The body of George was always outside the search area. Ten miles from the entry point the body of George started to sink and would never be recovered.
For a few hours Alice received sympathy and support. Then people started to question the incident.
Alice was tearful but not acting as some thought a bereaved should act. The press were on it and camped outside her house. What was George doing on his own on Boxing day, must be that evil Alice that drove him out. George’s parents and siblings always knew Alice was manipulative, and let every one know.
Due to lack of evidence the coroner recorded an open verdict.
The banks did not accept a statement of death as no body was produced. All accounts frozen. Alice once had a joint account with the bank was denied a bank account. Her credit rating plummeted, and she could not get credit or a bank account. She managed to open a credit union account. With great difficulty she managed to transfer her child allowance into the credit union account. In the meantime she had spent all the savings not frozen, sold off jewellery and assets to stay alive.
She was evicted from her house due to non payment of mortgage. The insurance company would not pay out as there was no proof of death.
Reports started to circulate (as they always do) that George was sighted in Bristol with a floozie on his arm. Sightings of George were reported in most cities including Moscow for the next 10 years.
Alice gave birth to Stephen, which confirmed all the rumours of her promiscuity and evil intent. Alice was housed by the council in bed and breakfast accommodation for 7 years.
In the 7 years before George could be officially declared dead, Alice was visited 3 times by the police, for aiding George escape financial responsibility, planning to kill her husband, and trying to establish who George knew in various cities. She received not a penny from any insurance company. The sightings on George in various cities as proof he was still alive.
Alice lives in poverty, poor credit rating , working part time as a cleaner.
Should emergency service waste time trying to recover a body?
Bloody right they should!
