Vigil-aunties

Vigil-aunties is a story set twenty years in the future. The residents of a small coastal town are fed up with the anarchy on the streets and the apathy of those in charge who are supposed to represent the people. The police service has been completely privatised and is now controlled by a private company who have their logo emblazoned on the flanks of the patrol cars, 'Crimecrackers in partnership with a police officer in your area'. Because it is a private company and the police service are paid by them it is normal for 'petty' crimes to be ignored as a waste of time and sponsors money in favour of the more TV and media friendly ones because it is this that gives the sponsors 'Crimecrackers' the air time and publicity and the police officers' promotion. Led by a reluctant hero, Nurse Christine Walker, the towns folk join forces and make the decision that if the authorities are not sufficiently bothered to rid the streets of the thugs and drug dealers - two of whom, Spud and Robbo, feature heavily in the story - many of whom have taken up residence on a deserted caravan park just off the promenade known locally as the lost city then they will do it themselves, and they are not too particular how they do it.The revolution starts when a well-liked elderly couple are assaulted in broad daylight, the lady subsequently dying, there is a public meeting, the townspeople realise perhaps for the first time at that meeting that they can expect no help from the mayor, the chief constable nor the sponsors Crimecrackers. The very next morning they hold a meeting in the local cafe....