Easy As Kicking Up A Stink!
by Angharad
part: 358

“What? That little toe-rag is making a complaint.” I was shocked.

“Looks that way, the Dean rang me just before I left.”

“What’s he complaining about, that I tried to run him over?”

“I think so.”

“That is just hogwash, total nonsense! Does he know how much that bike is worth? Far more than his stupid life! He stepped out in front of me and was lucky I was able to stop.”

“It’s his word against yours, I wouldn’t worry too much.”

“What are his grounds, I mean it happened on a public highway, so what’s it got to do with the uni?”

“He seems to think that what he told you earlier, made you jealous, because he’s younger than you.”

What? Jealous? What a total little shit! He’s the one who’s jealous, how can I be jealous of something like that? If I knew where he lived, I’d go around there and give him his sex change, alright, on the kitchen table!”

“Cathy, please put the knife down, it’s making me uncomfortable, and secondly, calm down and finish my dinner.”

“Shouldn’t that be thirdly?”

“What?”

“Finish my dinner.”

“If you like, yes, okay. I didn’t realise you could count that far, I shall have to look at your statistical stuff with closer examination, the figures might just be right. Hmmm!”

“What?” I still had the knife in my hand, “You cheeky old fart!” I shouted at him.

He took one look at me, and one at the knife and disappeared into his study. If I hadn’t been so angry, I’d have been amused by it. I dished up his meal and left it on a tray outside his study. I settled down to eat mine in the kitchen, but I wasn’t hungry–I was too angry and hurt.

I moped about for the rest of the evening and when I went to bed, I didn’t sleep too well. Simon phoned and tried to console me, but all I wanted was to wake up and find it had been a bad dream. Sadly, I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

The next morning I drove to work, and was greeted with a message to report to see the Dean. In case this could happen, I dressed rather tidily, wearing the suit Stella had given me and beloved of my diving dormouse.

I entered Dr Andrews’ office. “Ah Cathy, do come in. I suspect you know what this is about?”

“I have an idea.”

“Keith Sunderland, has made a complaint that he told you something in confidence yesterday and that as a consequence you tried to knock him down while riding your bike. I’d like your take on the incident.”

“Did he tell you what he told me?”

“Yes.”

“That he thinks he’s transgendered?”

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t sure what I felt about being involved in someone else’s problems, especially one so close to home, so I was rather non-committal about it. I suspect that annoyed him. I did all I was required to do, listened to him and advised that he sought better qualified help than I could give him. I was concerned about it, however, and sought advice myself from Prof Agnew. He seemed to agree with what I’d done.

I worried about it all day, and was still worrying about it when a pedestrian stepped out in front of me as I rode home. I managed to stop and discovered it was him. He simply didn’t look where he was going.”

“He says, you were going too fast and deliberately tried to hit him.”

“Would I risk a four thousand pound bike to run him over, besides which I could be hurt myself. If I’d wanted to hurt him, I could have simply divulged the conversation we’d had to all and sundry.”

“Wouldn’t that be a breach of professional etiquette and misconduct?”

“I suppose so, I didn’t even think of it, because I don’t do that sort of thing any more than I’d have run him over, especially on that bike. Look if he’s making these accusations, I think I have the right to ask he be taught by someone else.”

“That won’t be necessary, he resigned from his course. He accused you of riding at him with a foot stuck out, as if to kick him at speed.”

“That’s absurd, it would probably knock me off my bike, besides, my feet are secured to clipless pedals. He’s a liar.”

“He’s lied to the police as well then.”

“What?”

“He said he told the police.”

“So how come they haven’t been to see me?”

“They should be waiting for you now.”

“So is that it? What happens now?”

“I’ll be in touch in the next few days. I’ll have to suspend you until then.”

“What, this is ridiculous–you’re believing that little liar over me?”

“I’m not believing anyone until; I’ve weighed up the evidence.”

“There is no evidence, just his lies against me.”

“Thank you, Cathy, I’ll be in touch.”

I left and went to Tom’s office, a couple of police were waiting for me, a man and a woman.

“Cathy, these two police officers are waiting to speak to you,” Pippa said looking at me in embarrassment.

“Yes, so I believe, where can I speak with them?”

“Tom’s out at the moment, you can use his office.”

I led them into the office, and we all sat down.

“Lady Cameron,” started the woman police officer, “we’d like to speak to you regarding an incident last night.”

“I’m not Lady Cameron yet, I’m only engaged not married. So it’s plain Cathy Watts.”

“Okay, we were misinformed, Miss Watts.”

“I think you’ll find that this whole thing is about misinformation, if not disinformation.”

“Perhaps, we received a complaint from a Keith Sunderland that you tried to run him down on a bicycle, which you were riding recklessly.”

“Do you have any evidence?”

“He claims to have several bruises.”

“How did he get those, I didn’t actually hit him?”

“That isn’t what he says.”

“He’s a liar. He came to see me yesterday about a personal matter, to seek my advice. I didn’t want to become involved but gave him advice to seek assistance from the student counselling service. He didn’t like my response apparently and left in a slight huff. I must insist that I acted in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the university.

I was concerned about him and went to seek advice from my prof, who told me that what I had done was fine and that I wasn’t obliged to become involved in someone’s personal issues.

I was still wondering if I had done the right thing when I was riding home last night and a pedestrian stepped out in front of me. I was horrified to discover it was him, he saw it was me and ran off. I didn’t actually hit him or make any personal or physical contact with him.”

“He says you kicked him as you rode past at speed.”

“The bike I was riding is a carbon fibre race bike, it’s worth about four thousand pounds. Do you seriously think I would risk something that valuable to get my own back on a creep like him? Besides which, I could have hurt myself.”

“Is this where it happened?” They showed me a photo of a road, with shops and other land marks.

“Yes, somewhere along there.” I stared at the photo. “Hang on, isn’t that a cctv camera on the top of the traffic lights?”

“Yes, it is,” said the young male constable.

“Have you examined that?”

“Not yet, I don’t even know if it was on record last night.”

“Well if it was, I think you’ll find it supports my story.”

“We’ll make some enquiries, where can we contact you if we need to speak to you again?”

“Here’s my mobile number, if you call me, I’ll tell you where I am and we can arrange to meet. Can you let me know if this is proven to be the load of poppycock, I know to be the case?”

“Yes, we will if no further action is to be taken.”

“How about doing him for wasting your time and annoying me?”

“We’ll be in touch.”

I thanked them and we shook hands. I went out to Pippa.

“Keith Sunderland has made allegations that I tried to knock him down. I’m suspended apparently, so I’m going home and out for a bike ride.”

“Have a safe ride, oh, did you know he’s left your course.”

“His mind left some time ago, I’m glad his body is following!” So saying I left as well.