[The names and some of the details of this report have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved - Ed.] <br /> <br />Yes I'm afraid so. <br />Mr Smith and Mrs Jones from down the road. <br />Five years now. <br />It's Mr Jones I feel sorry for. <br />Though from what I hear... <br />But it's Mrs Smith who really miffs me. <br />We're supposed to be friends, I thought. <br />Not a word, not a hint, these five years. <br />I really feel - betrayed. <br />Of course the men and the women here have a different take on this. <br />Well you'd expect it, considering. <br />(My Jack laughed like a drain when he read the details. <br />Went out early to buy the News of the Screws he calls it.) <br />I think the bastard's envious. <br />Not a word, not a hint. <br />Even the vicar's wife didn't know. <br />At least Catholics have confession. <br />Though of course their parish priests don't have wives... <br /> <br />I'm a historian. Was. The village well, <br />the parish pump, market day, after church, coffee mornings... <br />'Social cohesion in rural communities'. <br />I B.A.- ed on it. <br />Say what you like, <br />gossip keeps a community together. <br />Five years. <br />No, I'm not going round to see her. <br /> <br />I feel - betrayed...<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/oh-to-be-in-england/
