Close Encounters from life experiences …
When I was starting out in London … in the 1970s ... I spent sometime with my father … I'd lost my flat and was looking for somewhere else to live …
… at that stage I was working for a small organisation, near the River Thames, up a narrow flight of Dickensian stairs … well worn by Victorian workers, dark oak, stained … probably full of ancient smoke no doubt if one looked/smelt under the treads …
… then at home-time out into the dark, misty gloom of a London evening – not much changed from the two centuries before …
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| Ancient staircase |
… the walk from there to the tube, where the mist rising from the Thames, swirled around the cast-iron lamps, limiting the murky light struggling through the winter gloom …
My destination was Bond Street and then I'd walk north towards my father's flat … one day – instinct kicked in and I was aware I was being followed … London isn't short of commuters … but not many would come out of Bond Street tube, cross the road and walk the same way I had done …
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| London - Tottenham Court Road tube stattion 1950s or 1960s |
… what to do, I wasn't that young, but hadn't spent much time in London … also hadn't thought about stalking … these sorts of things weren't so discussed or mentioned in the media …
… something clicked as I carried walking up the road, checking that I was still being followed – fortunately I'd spotted a small hotel ...
… at least there was a degree of anonymity in entering the hotel – so I went up to the desk, the guy followed me into the foyer …
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| Victorian cast-iron light stands balefully beaming out ... |
… I explained my situation, showed the receptionist the guy in the dirty-mac (if that's what he had on) … and insisted that the manager was called.
Eventually the manager arrived – the same story was told … and after some thought he said he'd accompany me back to my father's building … and we disappeared out the back.
That thankfully was the end of this little saga – would youngsters today instinctively be aware enough to take evasive action … so many walk along the pavements (sidewalks) umbilically attached to their phones in one way or another …
Close Encounter # two … as a teenager, before Close Encounter # one, I'd come back from a holiday in Italy … agreeing that I'd find my father – yet that wasn't easy … I didn't like to disturb him and it was late at night – and as that was the way in those days, he didn't have a phone in the flat … he spent many hours at work …
…
Close Encounter # three … when I was in Johannesburg, I was walking back to the garage to get my car and go home. As I walked up a major route … a largish group of lads were coming down and started to move in towards the roadside office building wall …
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| Street scene Johannesburg 1970 |
… I realised I couldn't be put in that situation … so moved out into this highway – thankfully empty, but then the cars started to come down – the guys let me pass … and that potentially uncomfortable situation was over.
Plenty (many plenty!) of other Close Encounters … but these three came to mind … I lost the plot with this WEP prompt ... but memories arise ...
I will now be round to read all the entries … thanks for visiting …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
38 comments:
I am glad that these close encounters didn't get any closer. I think that most women have a story or two - and sadly some of them end very badly.
A great use of the prompts.
Thankfully things like that don't happen if you're a chap. However I was once walking home from my girlfriend's house late at night. It was a chilly night and I didn't have a coat so she'd insisted that I could wear her poncho, the only item of clothing she had which would fit me. So there I was, shoulder length hair and a poncho, when a car drifted up beside me, the window was wound down and a man's voice said "Could I give you a lift, my dear?". Well, I didn't want to walk so, ignoring the fact that the driver had obviously made a mistake, I got in. The driver looked horrified when he saw my beard and I was equally surprised when I realised it was the local vicar who had something of a reputation with the ladies. We drove off in embarrassed silence before he pulled up and we both burst out laughing!
@ EC - definitely I was glad I eased out of those situations. And as you mention many women get caught out ... thanks for the support.
@ John - well this is a great story ... and one deserving an entry or two in a murder mystery, a play or similar. How amusing ... and I'm glad in the end both of you burst out laughing ...
Thanks so much for sharing with us - I'll be thinking about this for ages to come ... how funny!
Cheers to the two of you ... John that story will amuse long after this post is said and done! Very funny ... cheers Hilary
When you were very young and inexperienced in London, you were fortunate, and smart enough to see a small hotel and to go to the front desk. And thankfully the receptionist was responsive enough to call the manager. Nowadays young women have mobile phones, but being in adult company in the hotel was much safer than being alone on a street with a telephone in hand.
My only concern is you still remember the awfulness 50+ years later.
So glad you found ways out of those close encounters. I've had a few myself and they're scary. Loved this take on the prompt!
This is a sad reminder that the world is often a more dangerous place for a woman alone than for a man. Most of us are able to keep ourselves in check, but there are too many exceptions, of course. A good friend of mine, Tracey (you may remember her from a few blog posts), loves to explore nature alone, welcoming the experience of being immersed in the sights and sounds of the forest. She reminds me from time to time that nothing natural that she encounters causes her any concern, but if she meets men her level of apprehension goes up appreciably. It really is quite distressing that this should be an instinctive reaction. I am glad that your quick thinking and smart action prevented anything untoward happening to you. Best wishes - David
Crazy encounters like that need a cool head. Very well done to escape. When I worked at a theater downtown, my mother would send my younger brother to fetch me so I wouldn't have to walk home alone at night. He was 10 I was 15. He'd walk ahead of me, cause it was kooties to walk together. One night he turned around to wait until I caught up and a man who'd been following me took off running in the opposite direction. I wasn't even aware he was there until my brother turned. After that so happy to have his company!
@ Hels - I was fortunate ... as I was nearly at my father's building and I couldn't be found there - so the hotel appearing was a great deal of luck - I hadn't realised it was there ... I'd been passing shops, but didn't want to go in ... also it was closing time in those days.
Actually that wasn't too bad - as nothing really happened, once I'd got delivered to the door of my father's building. Probably worse, which I could have used, was the time I was the prefect in charge of a homework session ... and a guy decided to flash me/ us ... I stupidly said to the class don't turn round - they all did of course!! Now that was an exposed man in a dirty mac!!
@ Jemi - yes I was quite glad to get away scot free - the Johannesburg one could have been very difficult. I suspect we've all experienced similar close encounters ... but thanks: glad you liked the take on the prompt ...
@ David - yes ... especially back 50 years, though possibly worse now. I do remember Tracey - and can quite relate to her story ... I get anxious at times - but I'm not travelling around as much as I used to. I'm happy I was quick witted enough to work my round the situations ...
@ Renee - oh your mother was wise ... and in the circumstances your brother's company turned out to be very necessary. I bet you were happy for his company in future - it was a good thing he was caring enough to wait for you, especially that one time.
Thanks to you four ... these incidents bring back other memories ... while reminding us of days gone by ... Close Encounters in life ... cheers Hilary
The first one in London - so very atmospheric. I could almost see the entire scene. Close encounter, for sure. You were smart to heed your alarm and enter that hotel.
Very scary. Yes, one must be vigilant when walking alone. I see things on social media about creepers approaching women all the time, and today's youth is quite aware of the dangers.
Sadly, most women could probably say #MeToo.
Fortunately, you had your wits about you and lived to tell the tale. Some things never change and a woman alone is an easy target for villains.
Good Mornin, Hilary,
In each of those very descriptive incidents, an angle was following you, Protecting you on your way.
Thank you for sharing them, because I enjoyed them very much.
Shalom shalom
@ Olga - thank you ... it was very gloomy when I first went to London ... so I'm glad the atmospheric feel came across. That hotel was a great blessing and the manager at least realised I needed help.
@ Liz - yes I'm aware when I'm out and about ... and the youth of today have so many things to consider ... the online stuff too ...
@ Anabel - I know, many will have encountered similar incidents ...
@ Janice - yes I am grateful for being of a practical nature - women today aren't always safe ...
@ Pat - Mornin'!! Thank you ... I had my wits about me ... the Johannesburg one was perhaps the worst ... as it was a group of lads - similar to those found today roaming our streets.
Thanks everyone - I'm sure you can all relate ... and of course I've thought of other tales - the way of the world ... but memories for the memory bank. Take care and be aware seem to be an essential in this day and age. Cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary! Well, those were really close encounters. I liked that bit about youngsters being umbilically attached to their phones. Couldn't be truer.
-Sonia
Hey Hilary
Close Encounter #1 reminded me of a London detective story, all murky and misty, followed by a man in a mac. Ooh. No fun. It's such a shame that women must always be on alert walking at night. It shouldn't be that way, but it seems it's always been this way.
There was an incident in Brisbane where many women were attacked while jogging. On their phones like you mention. Be aware! Yes, they found him. He was a police officer, ugh!
All had a happy end I like happy ends. Good you were aware of what was happening and could act on it. Indeed, with the cellphone obsession these days this is a bit more difficult. Loved your poetic language like 'the murky light struggling through the winter gloom …'
wow - situational awareness is a thing. Good for you. I've had some same experiences and ended up fine. Indeed - you don't want to be fearful in life, but it's good to be smart. Kudos my friend and an excellent post.
@ Sonia - hey! ... great to see you. Compared to many ... they were easily managed, I'm pleased to say ... but yes re today's mobile phones - people are umbilically attached and completely oblivious to what's going on around them ...
@ Denise - I was going to be a bit more 'detectivey' but just never got the thought processes together. Women and sometimes youngsters in general are vulnerable and we need to be guarded.
Your Brisbane incident is a sad indictment on our society ... and he was a police officer - honestly ... do we ever learn. I'm glad he was caught ...
@ Marja - thankfully all safely by-passed. Yes ... those gloomy early days in London were interesting ... the Clean Air Act 1956 was brought in ... to clean up and prevent another Great Smog of 1952 - similar to the 1800s ...
Cellphone obsession is a problem in many ways ... thanks re 'my poetic language' - I'm glad the concept came through!!
@ Joanne - yes being aware and managing the situation is the most important thing - as you've done. Glad you enjoyed the post ...
Cheers to you four - thanks for being here ... enjoy your week - Hilary
Scary stories, for sure! You had excellent presence of mind to go into a hotel and demand to speak with a manager. You're so right...not totally sure young women today would realize someone was following them. So many electronic distractions.
That's scary. Thankful that there wasn't any danger and you managed to take evasive action at the right time.
(By the way, a request to readers of my blog. In case you have subscribed to the feed of my blog, you might have been experiencing a disruption in the feed updates. My blog feed wasn't being picked up by some feed readers.
Maybe you would like to update the feed subscription with this feed URL:
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Hopefully, this works.
Thank you.)
I'm glad you were able to evade those potentially dangerous situations, Hilary! It's important to have "street smarts", especially these days. Like you said, most people are oblivious, glued to their phones.
Those are scary, Hilary. I've never had anything like that happen. I have been scared for other reasons, though. And my purse was stolen once. My reaction to that was, I'm poor and you got one whole dollar for your effort. Several months later, the same guy murdered someone. So, then I felt lucky. You're right about young people today. They are glued to their phones and would never notice.
Nancy
This was an unexpected use of the prompt - scary and great. So very glad that you were aware of your surroundings and came out of them without harm. Close encounters indeed.
Thank you for posting this entry for the challenge, i always enjoy your takes.
I'm glad all three situations ended on a good note. We went to Miami a few years back for a show. It was late at night when we got out, and my son (probably about 10?), my daughter (a teen), my sister-in-law and I got on an elevator in the parking garage. The elevator stopped and let in a really menacing group of older kids (high teens, early 20s). It was clear their intentions were not sound and I thought our purses were going to get stolen at the least. Thankfully, that did not happen on the short ride, but you can really feel when something not pure is in your presence.
@ Elizabeth - scary stories at the time, thankfully I was never really upset by any of them. I really struggle with people wandering around with phones on/talking or stopping for selfies etc ... being often totally unaware of life around them.
@ Pradeep - thankfully no harm done ... but I'm aware of what's going on even now.
I saw your note re your feed etc ... and I will get to that later this week - as it I think will help in other ways: thanks ...
@ Debbie - yes ... I was brought up in a village and had as a kid been warned about people - and in fact have thought of another incident ... which occurred by older kids.
@ Nancy - yes ... I've had my purse stolen - frustrating to put it mildly. Gosh ... you were lucky - what a story. Yes - people in general, of all ages live on their phones - mine stays at home ... but I don't have needs for people to contact me urgently or otherwise.
@ Nila - well I'd no idea where I'd go with the prompt ... as, you know, is usual for me ... and the prompt has reminded me of earlier scenes in my life ... and brought others to mind.
@ Rosey - yes I was glad I was aware of things in life .. and thankfully still am. You were right to be worried about those 'menacing kids' and I've had that sort of situation ... but didn't have young children with me: except you've reminded me of another time, when I had someone else's child with me ... I was able to deal with it. I'm glad that elevator journey was short ... and you, as a mother, were astute enough to realise there might be a problem, I'm glad there wasn't ...
Thanks to you all for being here and commenting ... you've reminded me of other scenarios - and if one is going to write stories, or memoir - then these new ones could be included, or added to ... we all have challenges like these in life. Reminders of life - cheers Hilary
Sounds like you were thinking on your feet. Very glad it wasn't worse.
Cheers,
Hi, Hilary - With your great writing and your vivid descriptions, you had me at every word. Even though I know that you are alive and well, I held my breath at several points.
So glad that you have the great instincts that you have.
And - thank you so much for sending this link to me. I definitely would not have wanted to miss it!
I love this description, Hils. It's very rich. 'up a narrow flight of Dickensian stairs … well worn by Victorian workers, dark oak, stained … probably full of ancient smoke no doubt if one looked/smelt under the treads'
These are fabulous, but scary stories. My dad was always telling me how to avoid random men and boys. He felt they were out to get me. I shrugged it off feeling he was overprotective. Somewhere down deep inside, I knew he knew things I didn't. I tried to be smart and careful, but I was a kid and didn't always make sound decisions.
T.
@ Sandra - I'm usually aware as I walk the streets or wherever I am, and yes I'm glad I didn't have a bad experience ... that would have changed things.
@ Donna - thanks so much ... I appreciate the compliment. I'm lucky to have the genes I've been given. Pleasure re the loss of the post feed ... I'll sort it out very soon.
@ Sandra - thanks for your note re my description of where I used to work ... I was only there for six months or so ... but certainly could feel the history.
@ Teresa - part of life and of course I've thought of others since. Yes - my parents gave me advice about when I walked to the village ... which made me aware. However like you - there were always times I didn't make the right decisions ... but thankfully all well.
Cheers to the three of you ... thanks so much for coming by - Hilary
Both descriptive and atmospheric. I left the sleepy little market town of Hailsham when I was 17 and moved to London. Whilst I never had an experience such as yours, I remember feeling like an alien! Sadly, young people today, particularly girls, are so glued to their phones when walking along streets that they are totally unaware of everything that's going on around them.
An interesting post. I try to keep away from crowds as much as possible which of course probably puts me in more danger but I have never had a problem.
I had to laugh at your first sentence that you had lost your flat. Did you not ever find it again! Sorry, I am easily amused.
Take care cheers, Diane
Three times close and three times safe because of being alert. Loved the umbilically attached image. How true that is. Glad to see you participating in the WEP!
@ Keith - yes I hadn't been around much ... coming from Woking originally, before where the parents separately moved to. I certainly felt very out place ... but, as we learn, each experiences gives us another layer to life. As you say the youngsters and quite often people in general are oblivious of others around them - sad, I say!
@ Diane - yes I really dislike crowds and will not travel in rush hours if I can avoid them ... but at least there's space around us.
Oh dear - I'd noticed that odd sentence ... but thought oh well - yet you quite rightly noticed. I'm glad you're laughing ... those were the disconcerting times when one was anxiously seeking a flat share. In fact my father found me a room in a contact's flat - then I decided I needed to buy one ... which I stretched to manage.
All well here - thankfully ...
@ Lee - yes - it's critical that we teach our kids/grandkids to be aware of others around us. Thanks - re the umbilically attached - my phone sits here ... but I have no kids etc ... and I do take the phone out occasionally if and when needed! Thanks I enjoy WEP ...
Cheers to the three of you - thanks for commenting - Hilary
Hi Hilary!
You wrote very vividly. I could see it unfolding.
All the best.
I've had to battle my way out of a few similar situations. Didn't always work out. Not everyone is good or worthy of trust, we must always stay vigilant and protect ourselves. Glad your encounters were only close.
@ Nas - great to see you ... thanks for being here.
@ JL - yes ... I can understand that - as you mention ... not everyone is good or worthy of trust. Regardless of our age - you're right we should always stay vigilant and protect ourselves ... and be prescient of what might happen. Thankfully they were close encounters.
Thanks you two for being here ... cheers Hilary
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