No I suppose you’re not suppose to love Hellish Village, but I do. The neighbours aren’t friendly and the pubs and restaurants are closing down as no one has any money to eat out. There are a few independent shops run by people with more money than sense and there’s a Library run by volunteers.
A list the things that a good village should have would include, a good interactive social life ,a friendly atmosphere, happy people and contented children who go to school regularly.
Hellish has none of those.
Firstly, the primary school is well attended and supported by the local parents. However, once the children reach twelve or thirteen things tend to change. The good parents make a decision to move out of the area in order for the children to have a decent chance of life. Most children however stay, as not many can afford the move.
The resident children go to the secondary school , Hellish High, which a long time ago gave up trying to get any sort of “satisfactory ” report on it’s role as an education facility. It’s been in special measures a number of times and the discipline and attendance records make embarrassing reading for those who are responsible within the school. The Head of School changes at least once a year, and Hellish High holds the record for most Heads in a term , five at the last count.
This means we have quite a high rate of delinquent behaviour, as the young people argue that they have nothing to do apart from hang around “Hellish Offsales” and shoplift the reduced alcohol it sells. The young girls will sell their bodies to the local men for a bottle of vodka from the shop. Underage pregnancy is rife and the Community Police Officer hasn’t been seen on the streets for almost a decade.
I don’t own a car so I don’t worry about it being vandalised or it’s tyres being slashed just because “they can”. I don’t like it when they steal cars and then race them down the street in broad daylight , because frankly it’s very dangerous.
Best to stay indoors on days like that.
Fortunately, three of our neighbours are really good shots, so they tend to scare off any delinquents. I suppose that’s why I’m quite happy, we’ve got protection in the street we live. Strangers are spotted very quickly and if it looks like trouble well, our rough neighbours will sort them out.
Still, despite the problems we have our Mayor and Council Leaders who like to try and make out that Hellish Village is a good place to live. They certainly are good at increasing the taxes to pay for their fancy meetings and so called security. Not to mention the current MP who has been known to attend some local shindigs courtesy of the Council. There’s much talk about what goes on at those “celebrations”. Needless to say some of the village girls are involved.
Why do I love Hellish Village, well it survives that’s why I love it. Day to Day it’s hell, it has no future , and a rather dismal past, but it’s my home and in truth it’s no worse or better than a lot of places.
The End.
thenotsomightyom 