Hot pursuit

This story was told to me by my sister, Betty. She and her husband Ron were on holiday in Dorset, many years ago. On the day of which I write, they decided to go and enjoy the sunshine at Chesil Beach. They had set out a picnic on the pebbles, for which this area is famous. Betty had arranged a tablecloth and spread on it the plates, glasses, food and drink which they had brought with them.

Suddenly, they heard a siren from the direction of the prison, which is on Portland Bill, not very far from where they were sitting. They were discussing the reason for the increasing noise from the prison and came to the obvious conclusion that a prisoner had escaped.

Almost immediately they saw a figure running towards them along the beach, pursued by several uniformed men. The fugitive ran straight towards them and to their astonishment, ran right between them, trampling Betty’s carefully arranged picnic. History does not record any more than this, except that Betty has never quite forgotten the feeling of indignation, as the sandwiches, plates, etc. were scattered to the four winds!