A taste of shame

Tara pulled her keys out of her bag and began to slow down. She placed the key between her fingers as he approached her. She could hear his muffled voice muttering, but couldn't quite make out what he was saying. In all fairness, she didn't care about what he was saying. She was on edge, and she had to stay guarded.

What happened in the next few seconds was far beyond the multiple scenarios that had come up in Tara's head. So when Tara found herself sat by the hospital bed of this stranger, she began to wonder, was she really supposed to leave her house today?

'Miss Tara Oloo-bah-'

'Olubanjo. Yes?'

'Miss Tara?'

'Miss Olubanjo'

Tara rolled her eyes at herself internally. Now was NOT the time to fight for her name to be said correctly, especially NOT with the police. But when was the time? She asked herself? As she began to debate the matter in her head, she realised the police officer was actually speaking to her.

'I'm sorry, what was that?' she jolted back to reality

'I said I'd like to ask you a couple questions about Mr. Thomas-Balogun.

'Great he's Nigerian' Tara muttered.

'Pardon?' the Police officer asked.

'Oh nothing' Tara replied 'You have questions...' she beckoned the officer to continue.

'What is your relationship with Mr Thomas-Balogun?' the officer asked.

'I don't know him' she replied

'And why did you attack him?'

'It wasn't an attack per se. He grabbed my arm and I didn't realise he'd been hurt. I thought he was going to hurt me so I started to defend myself. I realised he was bleeding heavily and I thought it was me that did it till I saw the broken bottle.' Tara explained

'And then what did you do?'

'I called 999, put pressure on the wound, gave him water and waited till the ambulance came.'

'And where you on your way home?' the officer asked?

'No.'

'Where do you live Miss Tara?'

'Miss Olubanjo... and I live in Pimlico' Tara irritatingly responded

'So what were you doing in Islington?'

'Shit!' Tara thought as she blinked at the police officer.

'Visiting a friend' she replied.

'Can I get the name of this friend?'

'Does it matter?' she replied?

'We may need to verify your story'

Tara thought hard. She actually didn't know the name of the person she was going to visit. After matching on a dating site and agreeing to a casual hook up. Tara had wrapped up work from home and decided to take the train to her dick appointment as the tube would be empty at this time and cheaper than any taxi service. She thought about her dick appointment and how she had left him dry. She thought about how the events of the night would appear extremely unbelievable, up until and including the questioning by the police officer, to anyone. She thought about how disappointed her mum would be if she knew what her plans were. More thoughts poured into Tara's mind as she struggled to remember a name. Was there even a name? Could she make one up. What if she remembered and they ran his name and he was a wanted criminal? What if-

'His name?' the Police officer asked impatiently this time.

'Not only have you refused to address me correctly throughout this conversation, but you've also assumed my sexuality. I find this extremely insulting and refuse to engage with you any further. I am tired and extremely traumatised and I should NOT have to put up with this.' Tara snapped in both defence and panic.

'Ma'am, it's customary that we ask questions so we can attain full details of the situation. You are under no legal obligations to respond however, you DID attack someone, and I do have the right to arrest you for battery and assault. Now, that's an unnecessary amount of paperwork for me, and quite frankly, I don't believe you would've been able to harm Mr. Thomas-Balogun, given the difference in your size. You say self-defence with your keys, and as a fellow woman, I understand that and would want that to be sufficient, so in order to avoid you having to repeat this questioning I just need the name of the individual you were going to go and meet. I could care less their gender - I just want your alibi.' the officer rolled her eyes.

Tara stared at the officer.

'I don't know.' she whispered.