The driveway in front of my house only has room for one car, so I usually park my car on the drive and my mum parks her car in front of mine on the street, a bit like a ‘T’ formation. She uses her car more in the week than I do, so it works out easier this way, although if I want to get my car out I have to jump in both and do some manoeuvring.
Whenever I do this I like to pretend I'm in The Sweeney.
I’d returned from the supermarket so had moved mum’s car, parked mine on the drive, and moved mum’s car back in front again. I’d just jumped out of mum’s car and was locking it when I noticed a man slowly cycling on the pavement across the street.
He was a fair distance away but as I walked around the car my inner alarm bell started ringing, softly at first. I saw out of the corner of my eye that he had seen me and had suddenly crossed over to my side of the road.
I went to my car, intending to get out my groceries. This is when my inner alarm bell went off like a siren and my subconscious clocked seven things simultaneously.
- He’d sped up. Before he was aimlessly cruising down the road.
- There was also no reason for him to cross the road, no junction for him to turn down into, no obstruction his side that would stop his progress.
- The road was unusually quiet and totally empty.
- He was an adult on what looked like a teenage boy’s bike
- He had his hood up despite it being a sunny day
- I had the keys to two cars in my hand
- I look quite young
I quickly locked my car and practically bolted to my house. As I turned to shut the door I saw he had got incredibly close in a short space of time and was just passing my drive. We caught each other’s gaze and his look was so malignant that I knew my feelings were justified. And then he carried on down the street.
I’m not a paranoid person but there is a big problem with drugs (and knives) in the area that I live, with the gangs behind the trouble cruising the streets on bikes. So perhaps I’d clocked there was a reason to be careful from the moment I saw him. Whatever the case, I am so grateful to my internal warning system, and so very glad I listen to it. Please make sure you do the same with yours. x
21 comments:
Sounds like you had a narrow escape. Good for you.
Holy Moley! So glad you listened to your gut. But now I'll be worried every time you leave your house. Hope he was a transient. So scary.
Thank God, you're okay.
Hello Jayne
Whew, a close one. I agree with you always listen to your gut instinct, guardian angel, holy spirit, your choice of what you call it. I have had many such happenings and count my blessings.
Have a great week
Helen xx
Hi MorningAJ - it felt like a narrow escape to be honest. I don't scare easily but was quite spooked.
Hi Maria - I hate thinking that he knows where I live. But I feel like it was a spur-of-the-moment thing, more than likely something else somewhere else will take his attention. I also hope he was a transient. Flipping weird how quiet the street was for those minutes though. Very scary, like a horror film, or a bad dream.
Hi Helen - funnily enough, my novel-to-be explores these moments. I'm glad you tune in to yours, too. x
Wow, Jayne, I'm so glad you listened to that inner voice. Stay safe! It's a good reminder to pay attention when we feel that something's a bit off.
How horrid! Glad you have good instincts.
?!?! Oh Jayne! In your own drive, in front of your home!??! :-(
How incredibly sad and terrifying for you. Thank goodness for your inner voice. Please continue to listen to it and be safe!!
Take care
x
You were right to be so alert. Well done.
Yikes, that's scary, Jayne. I'm glad you listened to your gut. Stay safe out there!
Oh no! In front of your own home. That's scary. Keep listening to your gut - and stay safe!
How frightening. So pleased you had the sense to move quickly.
That must have been a very scary experience. I always trust my gut as well so I'm so pleased you did also and got away unharmed. Big hugs to you. x
Glad you're safe. I too am a big believer in believing those instincts.
Heck. Glad you're safe. For those moments you were certainly more aware of your surroundings. Keep listening to your higher self. Stay positive.
This gave me chills. It does indeed sound like you were in danger and by being observant, listening to those warning bells and acting quickly you overcame what might have been a potentially dangerous situation. Whew!
What a good job you were aware of something wrong. Nasty to feel so threatened. It has become quite common for thugs to use a bike for bag snatching and worse, so you were quite right to get indoors asap.
That must have been scary. I'm glad you listened to your gut instinct!
best safe than sorry, sad you can't have a secure feeling where you live
I've learned to listen to that voice. Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way and find out exactly what happens when I don't.
I think our gut speaks louder than any warning bell every could. Glad you listened to yours. (Hugs)Indigo
Phew! I am so glad you listened to your warning bells.
x
Oh Jayne, so sorry to hear this only now (as you know I am only catching up on blogging whilst I am on college Easter break) but thanks be to God that you acted on your gut instincts, which we should always do,and not be afraid of being wrong about them.
I have had several escapes, and one not so "escapeful" mugging incident, which though almost 30 years ago still makes me wary in certain areas in London.
Big hug X
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