Page 16 of The Happiness Blueprint
It’s in—the draft witness statement. Open the attachment.
WITNESS A, OF DJAKNEGATAN 2B 21 11 MALMÖ, TO SAY AS FOLLOWS:
I was reversing out of a parking space after finishing my shift at work (I work as a carer a block away from where the accident happened). I heard a big crash and turned back toward the noise. I couldn’t really see anything, but I heard a scream so I stopped my car and jumped out. A man was lying on the ground a few yards away from a bicycle, and a white van was driving away. It was quiet and it was the only vehicle there, so I thought I should note down the registration number. I guess watching so many crime series kept me switched on.
A woman was right next to the cyclist. She had a red fleece jacket and was holding a dog on a leash. I assumed she would help him so I called 112 and asked for an ambulance. I told them something like “A cyclist has been hit and they are bleeding from the skull and abdomen. They are unconscious.” And then the address. I stayed on the phone. They kept talking to me.
I suddenly noticed that the woman with the dog was gone, there was no one else around. I ran over to the guy, and I put the phone on the ground while I pressed my jacket at the place where the blood was coming from, which was the stomach.
The ambulance arrived along with a medical car, and I stepped away. I stayed until they had finished on the ground and were making their way to the hospital. There were other pedestrians and a black Clio had stopped by the side. The police were there, and I told them what I have said here. I told them that I didn’t see the driver, or the actual crash. I just saw the van drive off.
A white van.
Feel jealous this was the last person to see Calle alive. Does he know what a privilege that is? What I would have done to be in that position? In a position todo something.
Ampainfully aware that this doesn’t contain what we were hoping for and that we need a Witness B. I have exhausted my options. Looked everywhere. I plead with the prosecutor in an email, perhaps something can still be done.Please.I write back.
The witness saw the van drive off; he testifies that the driver didn’t stop at the scene. It’s got to be good for something?
The reply comes quickly.
Hi Alex,
I do hope you are well. As we have discussed previously, in anticipation of this statement, the driver is not contesting the fact that he drove off but rather his defense argues that he did not realize the cyclist had been hit. He was convinced that he had simply brushed the side of the bicycle. As mentioned before, he drove a new vehicle and argues that he was too unaccustomed to the vehicle to feel accurately the impact of the collision. He denies fleeing the scene as he was unaware of the cyclist being injured.
As discussed, we will push the point that his alcohol level was above the limit (based on the positive test taken when he was tracked down the following morning) and go for a reckless-driving sentence. We do not recommend pursuing the more serious vehicular-manslaughter sentence due to the above-mentioned points and the lack of witnesses at the scene.
Kind regards,
No witness. Unless I can find one.I put my phone away and kick at the wall like a child, then hop around on one leg swearing at my aching toes.
Real mature, Alex.
KLARA
What is the life span of an egg?
Google Search I’m Feeling Lucky
I’ve sent out a handful of quotes. I’ve taken videos for my dad to assess. Now I listen as a man I met yesterday tells me in a voice mail that he is not going ahead with us and the quote was way above the other one he received. My stomach clenches. I can’t help but feel that this rejection is aimed directly at my person. I avoid rejections as much as possible, I never ask for discounts, upgrades or anything that has a high potential of receiving ano.Nos sting like the leaves on nettles.
I have no time to dwell on the cancellation as the phone keeps ringing. My iPhone is always on highest volume because people who keep their phones on Silent mode unnerve me. They are the kind of people who say nothing in favor of using body language, assuming it is obvious what they’re trying to express with their hunched shoulders, smiles that don’t involve their eyes and hair-flicking.
“Hello, you have reached Bygg-Nilsson.” I have practiced this greeting in my bedroom with the cats as audience.
“Hi, I believe you missed my calls a few times.” A male voice fitting into an age range of forty to fifty says. Southern accent, slow and thick, like driving through mud with each word.
“I didn’t miss them, I looked at my phone as it missed them,” I clarify. “I happened to be busy.” There is a silence followed by a clearing of the man’s throat.
“Could I speak to Peter?”
“Peter is unavailable. However,Iam both available and eager to deal with your query,” I say, again using a phrase I practiced last night. The cats seemed to approve. The man also seems to be impressed because he proceeds with his query.
“The company was supposed to come and give me a quote; no one has been in touch regarding logistics yet.”
“I apologize. There has been an administrative handover. However, I can fit you in this afternoon.” It will take some reshuffling, but I’m keen to appear flexible.
I send a message to Mateusz to pick up the keys for the job site himself so that I can attend the last-minute appointment. Mateusz is off sick, apparently.
