It all began on All Saints Day,1st November 1972. Naughty Richard arrived in this world two weeks early - he couldn�t wait and that really was the start. I certainly wasn�t prepared for all that has happened in the last twenty-nine years. Yes he is still at home, in spite of the battles, rows, troubles with the neighbours, and the police etc. There was a brief respite when he moved to Little Venice as he needed a more prestigious address, only the one hundred pounds per week proved too expensive, and so he returned to Gerrards Cross, much cheaper - in fair it was rent free! Some calculations by his brothers put the sum at one hundred thousand pounds owing in back rent to us his parents.
A few years ago, during a particularly difficult period, we agreed he would have to move out. He decided to report us to the local police station. I was in the kitchen at the time when the police car drove in. I invited the nice young policeman in, took him into the dining room and had quite a nice chat. I mentioned that he should go and look at his files where he would learn a bit about Richard - sleeping rough, going missing etc. He decided to have a little pep talk with him and assure him that as his brother (the policeman�s) had gone of the rails at some point, but was doing ok, everything was going to be alright. Many months after this episode Kin collected a film from the photo shop and on the reel were dozens of photos of Richard posing on the police car, in the police car, and hanging on the police car. |
