I spoke of the difficult task of delivering death messages, well each one is different. For instance I have learnt never to tell someone that their dearest has died whilst stood in a kitchen, it took me several minutes to get the now widow to put the knife down that she was waving in my face screaming “tell me he isn’t dead”

One particular message I remember and it disturbs and haunts me to this day.

I was a newish cop based at Brixton, and we were called to the control room where the sergeant handed us a message. It was a death message. So I did the relevant checks, this had happened in Germany so I made sure of the facts. Then it was off to the house and a knock on the door.

It was a big beautiful house mid terrace on three floors, a woman answered the door she looked like she was in the middle of getting dressed as she had on a kimono type dressing gown and dark stockings, her face was already made up and it was well done. Her hair I guess was being brushed as we called. She was about 30 -35 years old and a good looking woman.

“Yes” she said very tersely. Hello are you Mrs X”..”Yes, why??” May we come in”? She tutted...”do you have to I am in a hurry” if you wouldn’t mind madam it will only take a mo! She stood aside and she showed us into a living room it was immaculate and was adorned with expensive ornaments. “well what is it constable” she looked irritated and I felt nervous and the usual felling of dread came over me..” its about your husband bill” your husband is Bill X??”…”yes she said what’s he been up to now. “Could you sit down madam”. “Look officer I am in a hurry I have an urgent meeting what has he done don’t tell me the bloody German police have arrested him?”

I could see she would not be moved so deep breath and “ I am so sorry to tell you that your husband was killed in a car crash just outside of munich”…I wait for the news to sink in and the realization to sink in and then the tears…"is the car written off??” “what”? I said..”Has he written of the car? we had only just got it you know”…I stuttered.”Er! ..I don’t know exactly but it was in a collision with a lorry so I expect it is!”…She gave a big sigh!! “” thank you officer” she started walking to the door ” then stooped, “this is typical of him is this. He cant die in this country he has to die abroad …he has to die somewhere where I have to pay to get him back..Bastard”.. “Is there anyone I can call for you or maybe a neighbour??”…she walked to the phone and dialled a number…”hello. Yes Tim. I am going to be 10 minutes late…well! Bill went and got himself killed in the car on that trip in Germany…yes but it is his own bloody fault and know I will have to get him back. The police think the car is a write of”. I was looking at my colleague and I was amazed obviously it was not the best union around, still it made my job easier. “Are you sure we can’t get you anything cup of tea? call someone?. I can wait until they arrive”…she was at the mirror brushing her hair “no thank you officer if you could show yourself out “ “are you sure”. She was bustling around and went out of the room and came back in in a short black dress and black high heels she picked up a bag and went to the door “ I told you I have this urgent meeting she picked up a coat as she opened the door and we left, she came behind locking the door skipping down the steps ..She jumped into a small sports car and without a second glance she drove off leaving us stood on the pavement...”Bitch” my mate said…”you never know what goes on behind close doors” say I.

We return to the nick and I finish my day and go home for a long week end. Monday I come in and I am taking over from the front office copper as I was to be station officer for that day...” hey jack was it you thast went to that posh birds house and gave her a death message about her husband?” “yeah” I said. “ She was one cold hearted bitch”

“Well we went around there the next day…she had hung herself”!