h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Morning everyone

Those of you who know me will know that life has been a bit stressful recently. Now that matters have been cleared up I thought I give you a brief (ish) resume of what's been going on.

My journal entry of the 10th March gives the story of PL and his problems with a school cleaner up until what we thought was the end of it all. Far from it............

On Monday 10th May I received a call asking us to go in and see the Head as the cleaner had been to the police and laid a charge of sexual assualt against PL, relating to the incident in March. I went and saw the Head and Housemaster on Tuesday afternoon and they told me that owing to the seriousness of the allegation it was possible that the Lad would be arrested and an appointment had been made for Thursday evening for him to go and make a statement. I have to say they were absolutely livid with this woman and backed PL 100%. The Housemaster went to the police on Wednesday and gave the investigating (incredibly nice) WPC all the school's documentation about the event, including witness statements etc and she followed this up with a chat with the cleaner. In the mean time Pondboy had to go up to the school on Wednesday and break the news to the Lad who was obviously upset and angry but determined to clear his name. When we arrived at the police station yesterday evening we were told by the WPC that she had had a long talk with the woman and she had decided to drop charges and he just had to make voluntary statement to tie up the paperwork. Relief all round

It transpires that the (young) woman has a body image problem and that when she heard the boys laughing, after the event, she thought that they were laughing at her rather than at poor PL's utter embarrasment. She has since had a breast enlargement operation. She is clearly a troubled person and we are now trying to move on and understand.

What this doesn't tell you is all the appalling anguish we have all been through and the range of emotions we have had to deal with: anger, hatred, sadness, fear, depression, frustration to name but a few, but what kept us going was the love and total support of friends and family.

Thankyou all of you for your support and kindness. Just putting this into words helps although I must admit I feel emotionally wrung out at the moment and somehow not as happy as I thought I would do. The Lad is still sleeping (it's 11 am), the least he deserves, and I shall be spoiling him rotten when he wakes.

GCSE's start next week, should be a doddle after all this!!

Pondgirl

Dear PG
So very glad to hear your good news. I can't believe that an incident so seemingly trivial and innocent as this has been hanging over your family since March. One very telling thing in your tale.... the lady concerned has "since had a breast enlargement".... sounds like you were right and that she was looking for a "soft touch" (if you will pardon the awful pun!) to pay for the damn thing. Now that this is all over, I hope PL can recover his equilibrium in time to go through the rigours of GCSEs and come out with flying colours. Mind you, after the time he's had an educational examining board should be child's play! Give him a big kiss and lots of lovely motherly love. Hopefully, he'll get over this quickly with that wonderful resilience that young people seem to have. You and PB might need a couple of stiff ones before you recover, but it is so nice to know that you can put it all behind you now! Break out the vintage and enjoy!
Lots of love to you all
and
Essjay

Penny

Just a quick response, I will write later when I get a pressing job off my back.

What a wretched time you have all had. We spend our time worrying about things that never happens and then totally unexpected problems come flying out of the left field. I guess PL's school is an all-boys school? You would have thought that any individual taking a job at any school establishment would realise that there will always be a bit of rough-and-tumble. It's a disgrace that she took innocent messing about and made an issue out of an accident.

Sounds like a trip out Saturday evening ending with a gut-busting blow out at TGI or Pizza Express with a sneaky half-a-lager is in order. Funny how all my suggestions involve food and drink!

Neil

Sorry to hear that this silly little woman has dragged this situation on and put your poor family through hell. Glad that everything is sorted now though and you can get on with things without it hanging over you all.

Much Love

Anna

Hi PG

Tabloids are always full of stories of daft arrests & appalling judgments in court - can't begin to imagine what stress you've all been under. Thank goodness things have worked out for you & yours. Definitely a case of the fabled "Victory for Common Sense"!

Rich

Dear Penny. I am so glad that things have been resolved with your son and the school business thing.
I hope you are getting back to normal life. It must have been dreadful for you all having this hanging over your heads.

Speak soon,

Jen