24 February 2012

what happened

So, first things...the little boy made it through the night. The hospital now say he's critical, but stable.

And, well, John pointed out at some point in the early hours that he still didn't know what had happened, because Sal only posted what she knew, and I hadn't really said anything about it. Whereas I've been over it in my head about a million times now.

The basics are, as Sal said. I was with one of my DCs, and we were going to see a witness who's recently started changing her story, being unsure about what she saw, saying she wouldn't go to court. Which was going to be a real problem for us.

It was a little residential street, quiet, quite nice. We parked up, started walking down the road to her house. When I saw a bloke coming out of her gate - our suspect for the crime. I'd been worrying that he'd had something to do with intimidating her, because we've had appeals out to find him, so he knows we're after him.




He ran towards a car, so I turned and ran for ours. The way the street is, there's houses one side, and the back of an old factory yard the other, so it's a wall. And it's a dead end - there's just garages at the other end.

He reached his first, gunned it, obviously hoping to get away.

I just pulled my car across the road - I was pointing the wrong way to follow him, so it seemed like the only way I could hope to stop him, hoping it would be like a road block, between parked cars and the wall. I could hear my DC calling for units on the radio as I went for the car, so I knew we'd get backup if he ran.

But he just didn't stop. I don't know, I thought I'd given him space, thought he had time to brake, but maybe I hadn't. It was all so fast, I don't know. I swung across the road, and then he smashed into the front end. I suppose he thought he could just get past me or something - like in the movies. Didn't work like that though.

And he had a kid with him - his son, DPS told me. He was probably Sherlock's age, or a bit older. Wasn't wearing a seatbelt. He went straight through the windscreen. I thought he was dead, honestly, and by the time I'd got out of the car, he was in the road, just...there was a lot of blood. People were running out of houses, my DC got the kit out of our car, and we did everything we could. The suspect was a bit out of it, mainly saved by the airbags though.

So he's put a complaint in against me, and I don't know how many people are witnesses, but there were plenty of people there who weren't on our side. And my DC'll tell them what he saw, and traffic will look at all the evidence left on the road, the tyre marks, the impact, all of that.

And I just wait.

Absolute worst case, I could be charged and go to prison.

Best case, I'll be back at work in a week or so.

And now you know as much as I do.

Mycroft's worried, so's John. Sherlock just refuses to accept it.

I'm trying to enjoy spending time with them all, but it's sort of hard. Spent a lot of my life pretending things are okay and getting on with it when they're not. Didn't think I'd ever have to do it with John and the boys. I don't think I'm being very convincing.

184 comments:

John H. D. Watson said...

You don't have to pretend. I mean... I know it's not going to help either way, and that's the difficult part, that there's nothing to do but wait. But I just thought I ought to point out that you don't have to be okay. We'll all still be here for you regardless.

mazarin said...

So glad to hear the little guy's condition has been upgraded. I'm sure that's a relief, of sorts.

But let me see if I've got this.

Guy knows the police are looking for him. He sees you, makes a run for it, tries to take off in his car, you pull across the road to block him from leaving, and instead of stopping, or at least trying to stop, he tries to dart between your front end and the parked cars and hits you instead.

With a child in the back seat without a seat belt on.

He should be arrested for child endangerment. And would be, in the States. What, precisely, is he saying you did that caused him to gun it into your car? I understand if you don't want to get into details on the blogs, as it could hurt your case or whatever, but for the love of all that his holy. No. Just no. He abdicated responsiblity as a parent as soon as he took off with his son in the car. And for the kid to go through the winshield means he was going pretty damn fast before he hit you. I know those things happen very quickly and it may not always be perfectly clear who did what, but the simple fact that it happened at all - as soon as he ran when he knew there was a warrant or whatever out for him - means a good chunk of the repsonsibility is his. To me, anyway. But I'm not a lawyer, and we do things differently here anyway.

Anyway. I hope its cleared up quickly, and I'm sure you made the best decision you could under the circumstances. You're a good man, L, don't forget it.

Greg Lestrade said...

John - yeah, I know. I suppose I just...I do want to make the most of the last few days of the holidays and...I don't know.

Maz - yeah, he is in the wrong too. But they have to decide if he could have stopped. And...well, I don't know anymore. But I think he could have, I mean, I did it because I thought he could have. But they have to decide that, now. But if they find that I pulled in front of him and gave him no chance to stop, then I'm in the wrong too.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

good to know the boys still with us and we all hope he's fine in the end.

What has happened here illustrates perfectly what a bloody good man you are.

Criminal Dad crashes car while running from police with son totally unrestrained in the car. HE blames you.

You do your job and try to apprehend a criminal who is intimidating witnesses and someone gets hurt. YOU blame you.

Good people blame themselves whether it is their fault or not.

Bad people blame other people.

Do your very best to stop pretending around John he doesn't need, want or expect you to.

Be good to yourself and let those who love you be good to you.

Anony

REReader said...

Okay, first things first--I'm very glad the boy is doing well. Stable is good.

Of course, none of us were there--but you have a lot more experience driving than most, L. You made the decision to block the way because you knew--subconsciously and experientially in addition to rationally--that there was enough space for the other driver to stop. Judging distances and time like that--that's a skill that someone who rides a bike develops even more than someone who drives a car. Please try not to doubt that.

And as I said last night--you weren't the only one making decisions. You weren't the one with a child in the car with you, and a child improperly secured (if secured at all at that. You didn't choose to take a child with you to commit a crime, and you didn't choose to run from police with a child in the car with you. All these decisions were made by someone else, and all would have been reckless, dangerous, and likely to lead to disaster even if you had done nothing at all. So please try not to take it all on yourself, as hard as that is. (And I know it is.)

Lastly...I really think you can stop trying to pretend things are okay. John and Mycroft know everything is not okay. Sherlock may not want to go there, but he knows it, too. It's...well, it's okay for things to be very much not okay sometimes.

Sending good vibes and prayers to all of you.

Anonymous said...

It will actually do the boys in particular no harm to know that it's all right to not be all right from time to time. Anony above has it right about blame, you wouldn't be you if you didn't care and part of the caring is second guessing the things you've done when they come out badly.

Above all accept the help and comfort of John and the boys, they love you, let them show it!

Anonymous from Lancs.

Greg Lestrade said...

Lancs Anon - they are showing it. They really are.

And I suppose pretending isn't the right word, as they obviously know.

But I've got to make myself do something, haven't I? I can't go and buy 80 fags and a bottle of scotch and sit in a dark room, can I? That's not going to help any of us. And I don't want to trail after them looking like a kicked puppy. So...yeah. Got to something.

REReader said...

You have a good point there.

How about removing the wallpaper from the living room (you call it the lounge, right?) and painting it? That could be a family project, too.

Anonymous said...

You can't change the fact you're off work so make a plan for tomorrow, something the boys want to do but you never have time to enjoy doing with them, it doesn't have to be much or take long but it can be your idea and they can enjoy being with you without you feeling like your 'trailing after them like a kicked puppy'

The scotch and fags might help while you consume them but you're right they aren't going to fix anything. Love will though.

Anony

REReader said...

(I see that while I was painstakingly pecking all that out with one finger on a virtual keyboard, a lot of what I said was already covered. Take it all as an incredibly long-winded "what they said.")

KHolly said...

There must be something between the 80 fags and the kicked puppy. What about the planetarium? Fun and intellectual for the boys, and a nice dark room so nobody has to notice your kicked puppy look.

I don't know. You probably don't need suggestions, you'll find your way. And it'll be a painful muddle at first but you've got the support to get through it.

CzechReader said...

Thank you for explaining.

And I am with all the others - what kind of a sick person (you bet that my original version rhymed with a duck) does that and endangers his own kid?

The feeling of seeing the boy going through the windshield and knowing you were a part of this must be horrible and it is very understandable that you don't feel okay about it. Needless to say that you probably wouldn't be with John and the boys if this left you completely cold-blooded.

On the other hand, I assume the following (and please correct me if I am wrong): you made a decision based on the data you had at that moment. You thought it was a good decision. You didn't do it to be an equine behind, you did it because your job is protecting society against those who for some reason or another invalidated another human being's life (because you can't invalidate something more than by denying its existence) and the guy is possibly one of the bad guys.

I'm not going to tell you that everything is going to be alright and that you did absolutely nothing wrong (and I'm not going to tell you that I condemn you to the deepest hell and that it was all your fault either), because I wasn't there, I haven't seen it and all I know about it is that some of my virtual friends are distressed. You know, they go by the name of Lestrade, John, Mycroft and Sherlock. And then all the other readers here.

But what I think after reading all the posts and comments on your and John's blog is that you, John, Mycroft, Sherlock, Anthea, Mrs H and Mrs H - all of you are not the kind of people to back out of the consequences of their own actions. And so I know that all of you will deal with any situation that comes out of this accordingly.

Of course I hope and pray and keep my fingers crossed that it is all over soon and favorably for you. That's what friends (even the virtual ones) are for - to wish you success and luck.

PS: Want to do something? Then do something. Cook and bake, RR's and Anony's ideas sound good too. Leave the boys with Mrs H downstairs and go for a loooong walk with John - just to be silent and walk it off.

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks all of you - KHolly, like the idea of going somewhere in the dark. Planitarium does sound like fun.

RR - We call it a living room.

And John loves that wallpaper!

But I have been threatening to redecorate our bedroom for a while. Which might be a good way to occupy myself when they're all at work/school next week.

Although we never got any further along with deciding how we'd like the room. My suggestion was rubber walls. John thought I was joking.

CzechReader said...

Rubber walls? For easier cleaning or better padding?

REReader said...

Well, I rather like the wallpaper myself--quite William Morris-y. Does the trim need sprucing up? And redecorating the bedroom sounds like a most excellent idea! Go choose the materials today--or if it's too late today, tomorrow.

REReader said...

(I leave the choice of materials to you two to decide--and I've no doubt that Mycroft and Sherlock will have opinions to offer as well.)

Desert Wanderer said...

Don't forget the ceiling, Lestrade. Something easy to wipe off. ;)

CzechReader said...

DW - exactly! That was my first thought! :-D

REReader said...

And perhaps some new hardware?

(For the furniture. *eye roll* ;))

Desert Wanderer said...

Ooh, RR. Some nice copper knobs! They look good with any kind of wood.

John H. D. Watson said...

I suppose the rubber walls would go with the copper knobs.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger, you've got quite enough copper knobs already.

Seriously, then. Any colour preferences? I thought we could paint it.

Greg Lestrade said...

Or I could paint it.

I'm assuming you're working next week?

Anonymous said...

Copper knobs. So NSFW.

http://www.tabutoys.com/product/Tantus_Silicone_Leisure_Vibrator_Copper

Bronwyn

John H. D. Watson said...

Bronwyn - my copper knobs are nicer. ;P

L - just mornings, I can help in the afternoon. Colour...dunno. Something peaceful? Blue's nice. I'm not really bothered though if you have strong opinions.

REReader said...

And how's the floor in there--does it need sanding? Or perhaps a new covering of...some sort?

Small Hobbit said...

L - just don't force yourself to be positive for John and the boys so that when you're alone next week doing the painting you end up in a little heap. The thing about a kicked puppy is when it finds a loving home it receives lots of cuddles, so let them cuddle and care for you.

Greg Lestrade said...

Bronwyn - Danger is already the owner of more copper knobs, and indeed copper's knobs than any one man should be.

Danger - blue is nice. I don't have strong opinions. Except I though maybe the wall behind the bed a bit brighter/stronger colour, and the others paler? We can pick: http://www.dulux.co.uk/colours/index.jsp

REReader said...

I thought maybe the wall behind the bed a bit brighter/stronger colour, and the others paler?

I like this idea! Or even just the area behind the headboard of the bed in the brighter/darker color (a bit wider than the bed and up to the ceiling).

John H. D. Watson said...

Bronwyn - don't listen to him, I have the perfect number of copper knobs. No more, no less.

L - Yeah, okay.

...I think all the colours I'm liking on that chart are beige with fancy names though.

Small Hobbit said...

The ceiling could be Nude Glow and the walls Blue Babe.

REReader said...

How about two shades of Winter Teal?

Desert Wanderer said...

I'd have thought you'd seen enogh beige to last a lifetime, Doc...

Ha, SH! Brilliant!

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - there's a Walnut colour that's very beigy that they suggest with a cyan blue. Seems quite calming. It's on this page: http://www.dulux.co.uk/colour/striking_cyan

Something like that? Or bluer? Or beiger?

KHolly said...

I think all the colours I'm liking on that chart are beige with fancy names though

Oh I wish I could find it now. Recently I saw a picture done and down the center was a vertical column of color chips. On the left was a woman looking at the colors and having a name for each one. And on the right was a man looking at the colors and seeing them in chunks of red, blue, green, etc. And I thought, huh, I'm on the wrong side of that chart.

Tink said...

The Celestial Blues in the top blue section are particularly pretty.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this Greg. *hugs*

John, can you give Greg a real hug for me? And he can give you one from me in return, and it'll be awesome.

(Health is back to sucking like an aspirating thing, so I'm hardcore lurking in between falling over. Love you guys through and through.)

REReader said...

Blue Seduction is nice, too. (Even if it were named something else. :))

Greg Lestrade said...

Hey Tink! Sorry health is kicking you in the teeth again. Thanks for the hugs. Have one back.

John H. D. Watson said...

Hi, Tink. I'd be happy to, yeah. I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. Take care of yourself, all right? Or get your brother to do it for you. :)

L - that cyan is extremely striking.

Sherlock said...

HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG and they're stupid because he's a DI and he's GOOD and the stupid man who was the murderer was the one who was wrong and Lestrade shouldn't be not a DI because of him and I hate him he's stupid and he's hurt his little boy and Lestrade's the one who feels sad about it and it's NOT FAIR. And Lestrade can't go to prison because that's where bad people go and he isn't a bad person.

REReader said...

You aren't going to get any argument here, Sherlock. You are quite right.

Greg Lestrade said...

Hey, Sherlock, calm down. Shouting about it isn't going to sort anything out, yeah? We've talked about that. You need to calm down and control your anger, or it'll just get you into trouble.

Danger - it is very striking. We can go and get some test pots tomorrow, maybe, see what looks good. Maybe some that are...less striking.

Anon Without A Name said...

You could have some Honey Drizzle, with a bit of Red Stallion to spice it up bit?

REReader said...

Sherlock, since you can't do anything right now to fix things for Lestrade, maybe it would be a good time to make that tunnel you were talking about for the degus?

REReader said...

I'm sure Mycroft would be happy to help you.

John H. D. Watson said...

What about something like this? http://www.dulux.co.uk/colour/espresso_shot

Sherlock - I know it seems unfair. It seems that way to us because we know Lestrade and we know he wouldn't hurt anyone. But the people who are looking into this don't know him, and the rules have to be the same for everyone. Otherwise it really would be unfair.

REReader said...

L, try some slightly grayed blues, too, maybe? Those are the most restful, usually, so long as you don't go overboard on the gray-ness.

REReader said...

John, that Espresso is a very rich-looking color. Might look good on the ceiling too--cave-like, in a good way.

Greg Lestrade said...

I like the espresso shot. For one wall? And something lighter for the rest?

Sherlock, if we go to the DIY store shall we go and choose a hammock for the degus too? We've been meaning to do that all week, haven't we, but it's been a bit busy, with everything going on.

We could then if you make a tunnel you could hang it from the roof of the cage, between a platform and the hammock, like we saw in the shop.

KHolly said...

Oh Sherlock, Lestrade is right, getting angry and shouting isn't going to help. Even though I understand entirely why you want to. You're right, Lestrade is one of the good guys and shouldn't have to go to prison for doing his best to protect people.

Here's the thing, if the system works the way it's meant to then everything is going to turn out all right. A little boy got hurt and that's bad so it's important to look into it. If they do an investigation of it then they can have all the documentation to prove what you already know, which is that Lestrade is a good cop. If they never looked into it then later someone who doesn't know him could say well maybe he's a bad cop, or just a reckless and irresponsible one. But if anyone says that now then his bosses will be able to say, no, we did an investigation and we didn't go easy on him so we are very confident that he's one of the good guys.

That's the way it's meant to work anyway. But it's still scary when you're going through it. But like you I firmly believe that he didn't do anything wrong and that's what the investigation will prove, and he'll be better off for letting them prove it.

John H. D. Watson said...

For one wall? And something lighter for the rest?

Yeah, something like that. Not too boring?

Greg Lestrade said...

No, not too boring. I like it.

Might even mix it with real espresso, so I can lick the wall when I need a hit.

Going to go and check Sherlock's okay. I know he's upset and angry, and maybe a hug and a chat will help him calm down.

Desert Wanderer said...

I found the perfect template, guys.
http://studio322.com/images/unicorns_2.jpg

http://www.thekidswindow.co.uk/images/products/fullsize/69214.jpg

:D

*ducks*

REReader said...

Not too boring?

Not at all--rich, as I said. You have a good design eye, John.

How are you doing?

John H. D. Watson said...

DW - if I come home next week and find one of those on my bedroom wall...I know who to blame.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - I was thinking more like a rip off of 'Creation', but with God handing a pot of jam down to a naked John...

Desert Wanderer said...

Doc, who? Lestrade?

That must be the Italian blood in you, Lestrade. I think that's a brilliant idea. With or without a strategically-placed fig leaf?

REReader said...

And whom were you planning to model God on....? :)

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - detachable fig leaf. I don't want to cover him up...but it might be sensible to have the option.

If he gets his way, full detachable fig-leaf patterned pyjamas.

REReader said...

If he gets his way, full detachable fig-leaf patterned pyjamas.

It's a whole new take on paper dolls. You could have several different outfits.

CzechReader said...

Hmmm, brown and blue sounds nice - but the espresso shot sounds awesome!

DW - how does it feel, to be almighty and causing (nearly) everything? :-D

Tink - sorry to hear that. Hope you're better soon!

Sherlock - the point is that people who know people who know people might be able to get all together and say that Mr Soandso didn't do anything wrong. But there would not be any way to check if they lie or not. That's why the system is in place - so that in ideal theory all cases are reviewed impartially and that's why people need facts and evidence instead of saying "He surely did it" or "He couldn't have done it". And all the people should follow it - that's the idea of being equal in the eyes of law.

Unfortunately, sometimes the good guys have to go through the same routine, so that everybody can be sure they did the right thing according to the laws. So while it's really not nice that Lestrade is not DI at the moment, it doesn't mean that this is forever. He just needs to go through it, even if it's not nice and it stresses him out and so on.

It's kind of like an annual check-up at the doctor (even though it's not really the same) - you don't have to like it but you have to do it so that you know that you're healthy.

REReader said...

Sherlock a bit calmer now, L?

mazarin said...

That espresso shot color is nice, really. We're painting our bedroom this spring, and the color is a lighter version of that, called Chocolate Milshake. Mmmmm.

Sherlock, I know its difficult, and most of us agree with you - Lestrade is a good person. It's just up to the people in charge of the process right now to get it all straightened out. We're just concerned because sometimes things aren't always so perfectly clear to the people that make the decisions, and it just takes some time to prove who did what. It'll be okay, just try to be patient, ok?

Hope you feel better soon, Tink.

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah. He had a bit of a cry - because he's angry, and confused - and we had a bit of a hug, too. There's not much any of us can do for him, though. Just wait with him.

REReader said...

Scared, too, I imagine. I'm sure a hug and a cry were a big help, really. And knowing he's not alone--that's always better.

*offers hugs*

Desert Wanderer said...

There's not much any of us can do for him, though. Just wait with him.

Sometimes, that's all there is or needs to be, no? You know we'll wait with you, right?

Greg Lestrade said...

Honestly, I don't know. I've...I suppose I've always pushed people away during the bad times, so this is all as new to me as it is to him.

mazarin said...

Just try not to imagine all of us sitting around your living room. It'd freak you out. We'll just stay here in your online living room, drinking alcohol, tea, and waiting with you, like DW says, until it's over. Whenever that is.

REReader said...

He needs you, and does John. And Mycroft. So you try it a different way this time--stay busy and stay close to the people you love and who love you.

And DW's right--we'll be waiting with you, too.

Small Hobbit said...

Although if we were all in your living room we could help with the decorating. Not that we'd ever agree on the colour scheme/ceiling paintings.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. You can strip the wallpaper.

Anonymous said...

mazarin, SH - You shouldn't make me giggle in front of my parents! Now my father wants to know what I'm reading. Eep! :P

Greg - Even seven years down the line, I still pause before I lean on my support network. Being comfortable enough to be "not okay" in front of other people takes time, a lot of it.

I'll echo everyone else' comments about the situation. I'm glad to hear the child's condition has improved.

Now, the only thing that concerns me here are these detachable PJs...

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

Do you seriously want to get rid of our wallpaper-that-may-come-alive-in-the-night? I thought you liked it?

John H. D. Watson said...

I am fond of it, but it wouldn't break my heart to see it go. I know you're not a fan.

mazarin said...

I'll do wallpaper with joy if Lestrade will replace the dripping faucet in my bathroom. Neither hubs and I know how. Trying would be the coming alive of more than one slapstick comedy.

Greg Lestrade said...

Danger - it's grown on me. Or, you know, infected my mind and twisted my thoughts.

Maz - I'd fix your tap without you doing anything to the wallpaper. It's probably just a washer or something.

John H. D. Watson said...

Ah, you're in its sway as well. I hope the next step isn't mind control and sneaking into other people's houses to paper their walls with its spawn.

KHolly said...

My mother once said that the nearest she ever came to divorce was when she and dad tried to hang wallpaper together. So if you do decide to take it down her advice would be to be sure to replace it with paint rather than new wallpaper.

Though, having seen the photos I'll be that's been up there forever. Taking it down might required an industrial strength solution. Or perhaps might be very therapeutic in venting your anger on the wall. Good luck either way.

Greg Lestrade said...

Well I'm going through with paint in the bedroom because I can't stand to have the wallpaper watching us.

It's seen too much already.

Anonymous said...

One thing that havin kids around does for you is make you look at the world differently. You might have pushed adults away but you know that that would be even worse for the boys than going through it with you so there's no chance of you doin it.

Decorating seems like a great idea, give everything a fresh new look :-)

Anony

Tink said...

John: Leaning on him is still weird XD But convenient when I fall over in the kitchen :D He can pick me up and put me on the couch like a good brother does...

Greg: There are some lovely bedrooms I've seen done in shades of brown. I'm sure your bedroom will join their ranks! Well. Not that I'll get to see it, but you know what I mean.

Sherlock: I'm sorry you have to go through this too, buddy. We're all going to wait with you and John and Greg okay? We're here for you too.

Everyone: Thank you for all the well wishes! Hopefully one of these days I'll start to get better!

REReader said...

I expect that wallpaper--in the living room, I haven't seen the bedroom--would have to be steamed and scraped off. It surely wouldn't just pull off!

So what color testers are you going to try with the Espresso Shot?

Anonymous said...

Tink - Perhaps the coming of warmer weather would help? Anyway, add me to the list of well-wishers (a hug is also available, if you're interested)

Greg - So what's the final color decision? I told my parents that they weren't allowed to paint my room "Pure White" lest I felt like I was in a mental institution... Our contractor laughed. I won. :)

~A from NW

mazarin said...

I'm pretty sure the whole thing is shot, Lestrade. As is the one in the bathroom. But I just looked up instructions online - it seems pretty easy and while not the most experienced of handy-persons, we are fairly intelligent and somewhat logical. I mean, we did replace the entire inner workings of the toilet the other month with nary a problem, so perhaps this could be done as well. Maybe. *eyes it suspiciously*

CzechReader said...

KHolly - I broke up with a boyfriend while renovating his flat. Yes, after hanging wallpaper :-)

Also, it's funny: My in-laws are both 60 years old. A few years ago they bought a flat in another town (the one they have in Prague is actually an army flat - my husband's dad is ex-intelligence service and his wife spent decades editing and redacting all army publications - so my husband and his brother will have no right to the Prague flat). They had it renovated during several years and about two years ago they started to get the furniture and appliances and what not.

The point being, the last time they had to equip a flat was three years before the socialistic regime downfall (the Velvet Revolution in 1989) and so there was very limited market for these things. Suddenly, after being married for nearly 40 years and raising two sons, they've found out that their tastes are very much different! Sometimes it was really hilarious to observe.

Anyhow, this made my husband and I talk a lot about styles and colors and things we want to have in our own place, to avoid exactly this situation :-D

REReader said...

Forgot to say--hope you feel better soon, Tink.

Greg Lestrade said...

A - I think we'll buy a whole lot of different colour testers, paint up patches and make a choice. Browns and blues seem to be winning.

Maz - good luck :) Fitting a new tap is pretty easy too! Almost easier than changing bits in an existing one.

RR - I think all wallpaper needs to be soaked or steamed off, unless it was hung really badly in the first place.

REReader said...

*clears throat* Ah. That woud probably account for the wallpaper a friend and I hung in her bathroom stripping right off when they decided to change it, then.

REReader said...

On the other hand, I know how to paint! My father taught me when I was about Sherlock's age--he did the high parts and the trim, and I did the low parts. (Which was mostly behind furniture, after all. But I did get better with practice--and a few years. :))

Anonymous said...

Greg - Sounds like a plan. Also, it sounds warm enough in London for you to be opening the windows while you paint. No sense in making yourself ill with paint fumes. =)

CR - I didn't break up with my boyfriend, but I did sulk for an entire day after my father managed to get wallpaper glue in my hair while the family put up wallpaper in my grandmother's house.

~A from NW

Cranky Bookwyrm said...

As a warning (you may not need it, but I did), if you're going to paint after removing wallpaper, you need to sand down the walls. Big time. Our bathroom still doesn't look quite right.

My prayers that the little boy recovers and that the investigation finds the truth: you did nothing wrong.

Greg Lestrade said...

I dunno quite how the flat would survive Sherlock and paint.

Greg Lestrade said...

Cranky - it's far easier to use a good quality lining paper than enter into a world of sanding after stripping wallpaper off to replace with paint. But if you don't want to then, yeah, you should clean the walls, do some form of undercoat, fill, sand back and then paint.

REReader said...

I dunno quite how the flat would survive Sherlock and paint.

I concede my father used an overabundance of drop cloths and water based paints. :)

REReader said...

(And it was my--and my sister's--room. So he didn't have to look at any splashes that didn't wash away. :))

Desert Wanderer said...

Ever painted a house, anyone? Apparently my grandmother's need doing, and now that I'm back in the country... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Home early! Thank goodness for tornado watches. :)

Desert Wanderer said...

it's far easier to use a good quality lining paper than enter into a world of sanding after stripping wallpaper off to replace with paint.

That exists?! Where were you two years ago when the wallpaper fell off my hallway? That would have saved me, like, two days of filling and sanding.

REReader said...

The outside? Then I ain't. But I hear tell about it....

(I seem to have wandered into Annie Get Your Gun. I have NO idea why.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Uh, sorry, DW. I was right here, London...you should have asked.

And no, sorry. Well, I've painted the outside of a pebbledash house, but I'm sort of doubting that's what you've got to deal with...

KHolly said...

The only thing I really know about painting the outsides of houses is that it was several thousand dollars to pay someone to do mine for me. But I wasn't about to try doing it myself. At best I'd have done a rubbish job. At worst I'd have fallen off the ladder and broken my neck with no one but a small dog to come to my rescue.

REReader said...

Pebbledash?

Greg Lestrade said...

Render with pebbles stuck into it, RR. It's a common finish here, usually over brick. It's...well, I think it's pretty horrible. It doesn't have a good image, these days.

You render the walls then literally dash the pebbles into it - throw them hard at the wet render from a trowel or something.

Anonymous said...

you make pebbledash sound so appealing!!

must be a real pain to paint but pink might make it look nice ;-)

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

How do you paint pebbledash? And yes, it was an odd, odd thing to see.

Also, how could I have asked you then? That would have been a really awkward conversation.

Uh, hello. You don't know me, you're about to start a blog and you said I should ask you about lining paper.

I'd probably end up in the nick or something...

REReader said...

Um.

What's wrong with just leaving brick? Although, I don't suppose it can be much worse than plastic siding, really.

It kinda sounds like that horrible popcorn finish that some people have inside--my sister has it in her sunroom (not their decorating choice, it came with the house when they bought it) and it's peeling away in chunks.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - with a soft brush and about four times more paint than you think you'll need. And yeah, I don't know. I've been asked weirder questions, as a London copper :)

RR - People just trying to make their houses look a bit different, I guess. I don't know, I prefer brick. Mum's house was half-pebbledash.

REReader said...

I just hope no New York landlords get the idea of that using that over the brick on the lower floors to minimize graffiti. Although I imagine it would work.

Greg Lestrade said...

RR - I don't know what a popcorn finish is, but there's two, equally horrible, not-smooth finishes used indoors here. Artex and Woodchip. Artex is a wet plastery stuff, that is then worked into patterns or stippled or whatever you want. (Google has a hideous array of things you can choose) or woodchip, which is wallpaper with woodchips in it, making it all bumpy. Used to be very popular. Only thing it's good for it covering really crap walls that you could never smooth.

Greg Lestrade said...

How would it help minimize graffiti?

REReader said...

There's a picture and description of popcorn finish here--it's a bumpy finish that I think sprays on, and it was big for ceilings here in the 70s. Whoever built out the sunroom in my sister's house covered the ceiling and all the walls with it, and it's awful.

Frankly, I'm not a big fan of textured ceilings OR walls, although, yeah, if you can't manage to smooth them the only practical choices are either texture of some sort or covering the existing wall with plasterboard (and making the room that much smaller). I've seen the plasterboard thing done with ceilings, too--it was done in my parents' bedroom--but it makes me very very nervous.

Or you could remove the existing plaster and replaster, but that is awfully expensive and messy.


How would it help minimize graffiti?

A exterior wall with a bumpy finish is a lot less attractive than the smoother wall next door.

Desert Wanderer said...

Only thing it's good for it covering really crap walls that you could never smooth.

That's the wallpaper that was in my hallway. And you're completely right.

Popcorn finish is like artex but instead of palm fronds or whatever, it's just stippling. Like so: http://www.mr-drywall.com/pics/popcorn_small.jpg

REReader said...

(*sigh* I write a whole megillah, and DW gets it done in two sentences.)

Anonymous said...

I think we have a popcorn finish on our ceiling... that also has lead paint and asbestos hidden in its many layers!

Yeah, sometimes, I count it a miracle that I'm as healthy as I am.

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

I'm all for simple paint finishes. Hence that being what we'll get.

A - Think all of us grew up with lead paint and asbestos, and we're all fine, right?....right?

REReader said...

Lead paint and asbestos on and in the walls is perfectly safe. It's only when it comes off the walls--and into mouths and lungs--that there's any problem. Did your diet feature paint chips, L? If not, you're fine.

(My school definitely had both. I wouldn't be surprised if the walls here still have lead paint in the older layers.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Yeah, licked a lot of walls, RR. Really, a lot.

And snorted lines of asbestos off rat poison cubes.

Desert Wanderer said...

That...is a mental image that will not go away. You seem to be responsible for a lot of those. Must be a gift.

John H. D. Watson said...

It is indeed. One of his many.

REReader said...

Heh.

I don't think licking walls--even espresso-infused walls--would do it, L. (Although the caffeine would give you a better shot at a high than the asbestos!)


Right--time for me to go offline. Wishing you all a Shabbat shalom in the very fullest sense--paint testers and degu hammocks and a lot of togetherness and peace.

Greg Lestrade said...

Shabbat shalom, RR.

I was referring to the lead paint, for the licking part. I can assure you, that really isn't a very good idea. Just in case anyone here thought they'd like to try it. Although you'd have to do a lot of licking before it had any real effect. Like I did.

Rider said...

I dunno Lestrade, always doing things the hard way. Why didn't you just look for lead soldiers in the 2nd hand shop and eat those?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - the licking or the snorting? Or shouldn't I ask.

Thanks, Danger.

Greg Lestrade said...

Rider - quite happy licking my non-lead soldier, ta. I get more of a kick out of it.

REReader said...

Thanks, L.

Lead--tastes sweet, bad for brain and rest of human body. Dishes made of which possible contributing factor to fall of Roman Empire.

And I'm really gone now!

Desert Wanderer said...

The snorting. Licking is so passe'. My first thought was "not very long lines, then" and my second was to wonder if cigarettes with all the tobacco pushed out could be used to snort it or if they were too flimsy. I like Rider's answer best, though.

But really, Mr. Lestallion, how many licks does it take to get to the effects-ridden state of a lead-paint wall?

Anonymous said...

*reads Greg's reply to Rider*

*promptly chokes on tea*

GREG Lestrade! I never...! ;)

*giggling helplessly*

It's the inhaling part of asbestos that's the problem. Of course, my problem was Father's keys and the electrical outlet.

What? I'm perfectly normal and sane. :)

~A from NW

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - too flimsy. And a waste of tobacco. Doesn't everyone who doesn't own their own silver snorting-straw just use a rolled up banknote?

As for how many licks...that would depend on how big you were, and how lead-y the paint was.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure your non lead soldier gets quite a kick out of it too ;-)

Anony

John H. D. Watson said...

Anony - I certainly prefer it to him licking lead paint.

Desert Wanderer said...

Doesn't everyone who doesn't own their own silver snorting-straw just use a rolled up banknote?

Up until the point where the necessity of purchase outweighed the method of delivery, I would imagine.

Greg Lestrade said...

A - I'm glad you've never! ;)

But yeah, asbestos is terrible stuff. No joking matter.

Anony - He doesn't complain too much ;) I mean, he moans and groans, but doesn't complain

Danger - you've never seen me lick lead paint! Although I'm fairly sure there's lead in your pencil...

Anonymous said...

I think thats not saying much though is it John, there must be other things you prefer it to? ;-)

Anony

CzechReader said...

Hey, at the elementary we had a bunch of kids that were scratching the paint off of the walls and eating it happily...

And by the way, have you ever heard about the new chocolate powder you can snort?

Greg Lestrade said...

CR - I feel like I've heard something about it - maybe on the news, or something.

Doesn't sound like a good idea. I mean, I'm no doc, but I didn't think anything up your nose did great things for your membranes.

Anonymous from the Sacred Oak said...

Oh man, Rider, you really handed Lestrade that set-up on a silver platter. Hee!

You are all cheering me up at a time of great frustration. Keeping busy seems to be good medicine!

I hope all of you are well, or at least improving if you are not well. I am recovered from my hiking adventure, if not from the emotional upheaval of my life in general.

Rider said...

I suspect that licking the non-lead soldier leads to both of them acting as if they've lost a few brain cells.

I am so not going to ask how many licks it takes.

Small Hobbit said...

We could also ask whose "ass best is"? if we were considering other uses of the non-lead soldier.

Greg Lestrade said...

Rider - depends entirely on the quality of the lick, I'd say. And how fevered Danger's mind is at the time...

SH - I would definitely argue that Danger has the best arse. All that marching, probably. Got to be better for your bum than sitting behind a desk, right?

AfSO - Hope you are recovering on all counts, even if it's slowly. And they've all cheered me up a bit, too.

Anonymous said...

If you're ever able to count somethings not quite right you know ;-)

Glad you've cheered up a bit :-)

Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Anony

Desert Wanderer said...

Danger - you've never seen me lick lead paint! Although I'm fairly sure there's lead in your pencil...

Dare I ask why you've been licking the Doc's pencil?

Greg Lestrade said...

Is that a phrase that doesn't get used your side of the pond, DW?

...I hesitate to leave a link lying about where anyone might find it...but I feel I need to help translate our common language.

http://www.sex-lexis.com/Sex-Dictionary/lead%20in%20your%20pencil

Rider said...

It's the pencil sharpener that worries me!

Desert Wanderer said...

Well, what do you know. Learn something every day.

So, did you guys finalize the color selection? And is the wallpaper staying or going?

Greg Lestrade said...

I can still explain 'why' if you'd really like ;)

...decorating is up to the Doc.

Desert Wanderer said...

Indeed. Perhaps it's time for another edition of Lestallion's Upstanding Column of Love? I'm sure your birds/bees, birds/birds, bees/bees, birds, bees, birds/bees/birds, bees/birds/bees etc. talks are fascinating...

Small Hobbit said...

Would you call it a propelling pencil?

Rider said...

Dunno, do you usually have a rubber on a propelling pencil?

Anonymous said...

*buries face in hands to hide helpless laughter*

If Greg, Rider, DW and SH ever ever meet in real life, let me know because the meeting has to be taped for prosperity. And if I have to explain pencils and rubbers to my parents tonight, it is entirely all your faults.

<3
~A from NW

(No captcha, that would be mortifying, not exciting!)

John H. D. Watson said...

Ignoring all talk of my pencil, thanks.

L - why are you leaving the decorating up to the man who filled the flat with tinsel? And you were going to be an interior designer at one point!

Greg Lestrade said...

SH - Well, I definitely wouldn't want to sharpen it. But nor does it need the end to click for more lead... and whichever it is, no rubber, no. I've been assured it doesn't make mistakes ;)

Danger - because...because I'd go for anything that's not prison-green? I don't know. You can tell me I'm an idiot, but it still feels like your flat, and your room, and...I don't know.

I wasn't going to be an interior designer, anyway, just fit interiors other people had designed, really.

Desert Wanderer said...

I sincerely hope you're not one of those people who chews on their pencils, Lestrade.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - no, ex smoker. So I just suck on them. Play with them. No biting. ;) (try to remember not to set them on fire...heh.)

Rider said...

I've been assured it doesn't make mistakes

Now you have me wondering what mistakes it could make....

I'm glad to know it doesn't click when you finger the end. That would be a worry.

Rider said...

Lestrade, treading on them after you have done is right out!

Greg Lestrade said...

Ah, and now you've brought butts into the conversation, Rider...

Desert Wanderer said...

I don't know, Rider. I'd heard in some circles treading on them was preferred.

Rider said...

Face it Lestrade, at the tail end of the converstaion it was inevitable we'd get to the bottom of the barrel.

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - fairly sure those aren't the circles Danger moves in.

Rider - I frequently face it, I assure you.

Now, if we're going to go shopping for paint colours tomorrow, I suppose I should go to bed and er..contemplate the ceiling, or something.

Anon Without A Name said...

You know, if you want to brighten the place up, and have handily wipe clean ceilings, mirrors may be the answer...

John H. D. Watson said...

but it still feels like your flat

Is there anything I can do about that?

Greg Lestrade said...

No...think it'll just take time? I don't mean it in a bad way, just...that's still how it feels, a bit.

John H. D. Watson said...

Okay.

Bed?

Desert Wanderer said...

That's a brilliant idea, Nameless. Mirrors are very easy to clean. :D

Anonymous said...

So one minute your all cut up about the kid and now it's back to talking about sex like nothing happened?


Prick

Greg Lestrade said...

No. I mean...it's not quite like that. But I can see how it seems.

but yeah, on here, it is an escape, okay? It doesn't mean I care any less.


Yeah, John, bed.

Piplover said...

Ignore the troll, Lestrade. They're obviously an idiot with issues. This is your blog, and we all understand what you're saying, and that a silly discussion in no way diminishes your worry.

Anonymous said...

Greg - Someone's missed the entire point, and that's their problem.

DW - As long as the owner remembers to use the streak-free shine kind of cleaning spray. ;)

~A from NW who isn't afraid to sign my posts with a name!

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, Pip, A.

I can see how it looks, though.

Rider said...

Lestrade - yeah, it looks bad to someone who hasn't read all the other entries.

But moping about does nothing for the kid, and is actively bad for you. You have to get on with your life until the investigation's done.

Get out on the bike, you know it will make things better.

Desert Wanderer said...

I made one of (if not the) first jokes, and I'd feel bad except I don't.

When something bad happens, I mean really bad, eat-your-gut bad, people like you will drive themselves insane with the recrimination and guilt. There's nothing wrong with having an outlet or taking a mental health break. It doesn't make you a bad person, and it doesn't mean you've forgotten about it. It just makes you human. And people who don't understand that can go....take a long walk.

tl;dr Have a decent night, Lestrade. Try to let yourself get some sleep.

Greg Lestrade said...

Rider - I'll get out on the bike once the boys are back at school. Right now I want to spend the time with them.

DW - Yeah. I haven't forgotten. But having you lot on here has at least stopped me just turning it over and over in my head for a bit. Thanks.

Anonymous from the Sacred Oak said...

I wasn't going to go back to talking about it while everyone was more lighthearted, but now that some a**mollusk of a troll has been here, what the heck.

Lestrade, I cannot help but wonder if your suspect would have hit something else along his way, if he did not hit your car. I don't know the rules of police pursuit on your force, but if he had gotten out into a main road, casualties might have been worse, and that little boy might not have been near first aid kit when the accident happened.

It's important for you to take care of your boys, in the meantime, and I think chatting about the decorating and having a bit of silliness was important too.

Anonymous said...

Can I just say that 'a**mollusk' the the best insult I've heard in months and I'm nicking it for future use? Thanks. :D

Greg Lestrade said...

Thanks, AfromSO. I don't know how it could have gone. There are a lot of rules, and ... well, I don't know, yeah, what you said is possible.

Thanks all of you for your support.

Kath Ballantyne said...

We've lived in some dodgy places.

A lot of the houses in our part of Aus are Fibro which is asbestos. Unfortunately broken pieces of it make great chalk on concrete and I know both my partner and I played with it as kids.

About 6 years ago we were living in a run down heap. It was fibro but that was fine. The problem was the asbestos fences that were falling down. (We lived there because it was cheap, we could have the pets and it was 10 mins drive from the beach and walking distance to the only gay pub in town) We stayed away from them mostly but then the landlord decided with neighbours that they could knock the fence down into our yard and someone would come and get rid of it in a couple of days. We ended up staying with my parents.
People came to clear it and I'm not sure they were properly qualified. Most things were done by one or another of the landlord's mates.
They left a thick dust of asbestos over the whole yard. We complained to the real estate. They said they'd do something. Nothing happened. We did it again and again and they covered it with black plastic weighted down with tin that blew about in a storm. Then we went to the council. A guy came out and said it was the worst he'd seen. A month later and many phone calls and nothing had happened. We ended up leaving as soon as we could get another place. Real Estate let us out of our contract and gave our bond back even though we didn't clean much. Should have gone to the media.

After that we lived in a Nissan Hut in the Hunter Valley (Old temporary migrant housing. A bit like this though smaller). Basically a corrugated tin house with no insulation and curved walls. Summer often got over 40c there and living in a tin shed was hell.

The place we live in now is a gold miner's cottage from the 1950's in a tiny village an hour and a half from the nearest shops. It was already tiny but as the walls were made of wattle and daub (sticks and mud) they weren't holding up so well. The only thing holding them together on the inside was the many, many layers of wallpaper and under those the newspaper and whitewash.
They ended up building pocket walls on the inside. Place was already tiny so it got smaller but at least we can have the furniture near the walls now. It's also great insulation. Means we can survive mostly without aircon. We put a window unit in but National Parks made us take it out. Not in keeping with their historical village. *rolls eyes*

iamshadow and I are keeping you in our thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I detest trolls and I'm not going to apologise in anyway for my part in leadin the discussion to a happier/funnier place. ;-)

Hope you have a fun day the four of you and keep your mind on things you can do something about or just having fun.

Anony

Anonymous said...

I think involvement in the decorating might help a bit to make it feel like yours too ? It's superficial of course, but while home is where the heart is, it's also material :)

Anon from Paris

CzechReader said...

Weeeeell!

I sleep in today and somebody comes along and tries to tear down all the careful work we've done on cheering up? Over my dead electrons, buddy!

So, how about some coffee (yes, I really just woke up) and a few sandwiches and we'll see where we go from here?

Dubious eating habits aside, what are the colors? The espresso shot and other combinations? I am officially lost...

Greg Lestrade said...

Browns and blues, in various combinations, CR. Then we'll try patches on the walls and see which we like best. Some very soft brown/beiges, some bright blues, some pale. And then there's woodwork to think about...

Plus new things for the degus' cage, so we're not the only ones getting a makeover in.our room.

Anonymous said...

Glad you hav a plan :-) there will be pictures I hope when your finished?

Anony

Small Hobbit said...

Ha, the troll did sign their name. It seems entirely appropriate too.

No apologies from me either.

If you get enough different trial pots you can just paint the walls in splodges and there will be no need to decide.

Anon Without A Name said...

Hey Tink - glad to see you again. Sorry to hear you're not well again, hope you feel better soon <3

Kath - Nissan huts were used here as communal bomb shelters during the war; my mum lived in one as a kid with her family for a while.

Lestrade - I like to paint woodwork to match the overall colour scheme, rather than defulting to white. Maybe use an accent colour on the woodwork?

Sherlock - I hope you can have a bit of fun today, buying and putting together stuff for the degus.

Mycroft - I hope you're OK. We're all here thinking of all of you, you know?

Greg Lestrade said...

Nameless - woodwork will definitely be a colour. White would be too stark.

Anony - maybe a pic of the degus' new room. Not so sure about ours.

As for the mirror ceiling - can't think of anything worse than seeing myself. I'll stick to looking at John when in bed, thanks.

CzechReader said...

Oh my god! Mirror ceiling! We have a tall mirror opposite to our bed and every morning I sit up, look up and get a scare - imagine waking up, opening your eyes and seeing yourself...

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