A surreal thing happend to us on Monday. Edward, Richard and me went into London for the day. SP&S / IHQ / Tate Gallery / St Pauls then walked back to Liverpool Street to get train back home. Just before we got the train home we decided to have a drink in McDonalds at the station. As we were sitting there a well dressed gentleman came to the chair beside me and put a plastic bag and briefcase down on the table and said "would you mind just keeping an eye on these please while I go to the toilet and order my food?"....I promptly said "sure, that's fine, no problem".
The moment he left and disappeared out of sight we looked at each other and realised what a trusting thing I had just agreed to do....."What if this is not just an innocent couple of bags?" What if it is a.....whisper....bomb?" Realising that we had left Hannah at home on her own - I then said "you better take Edward and get the train...I'll meet you back home - can't risk all three of us getting blown up!"
The next 3/4 mins were taken up with Richard and I arguing over who would be most missed and who Hannah and Edward needed the most. Both of us had good arguments for the other person to be the one to stay with the children. Neither of us suggested that we ALL leave !
Just as it was beginning to become a bit of an issue - the very gentle man waved at us as he ordered his food and very soon had joined us and his bags once again. He said "Thank You" and I said "Your Welcome" and we quickly left to get our train. Little did he know the anxiety he had caused the three of us.
Very odd few mins - but on reflection - how sad it is that we now live in a world/society that makes us so suspiceous (hope I have spelt that right....mmm?). Would I say "yes" again....I don't actually think so !
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10 comments:
oh my word. i cannot imagine having that conversation.
i've just read it to sarah and her immediate reaction was, "why on earth would you day 'yes'? i wouldn't."
i'm not sure what i'd do in that situation, probably do as you and say "no problem"...but who knows??!!
how trusting was he also though, baring in mind the outcome was that he was just a nice gentlman, to trust you with his briefcase probably full with very important things... id take that as a compliment!!!! (or were u in your uniform!!!)
hope you ok
sarah x
"The next 3/4 mins were taken up with Richard and I arguing over who would be most missed and who Hannah and Edward needed the most."
During this time, was Ed just sitting there looking bemused?!?!
Sarah...I was not in uniform - just the "MUG" tatoo I have on my forehead! Kirsty..Ed remained tucking into his Cheese burger and looking out for left-behind coffee cups with free coffee stickers on them :-)
I still think you were completely irresponsible for refusing to leave with Ed :-)
If I see an unattended bag, I'll quiz everyone around until I establish who it belongs to: "is that your bag?" - "is that your bag?" - "is that your bag?"....
Embarasses the heck out of Mrs Laird! :-)))
I had exactly the same thing happen wen I was on the train a woman had like 3 suitcases so I helped her lift one on the train weren't till I'd done it & I was like what's in here...! & then I didnt learn my lesson coz an old woman asked me to borrow my mobile which I stupidly lent her she then starts talking in some foreign language & I sit there thinking who's she talking to? what's she saying? if she's doing something illegal the police will track me down coz she's used my fone...!
Don't know whether it's good that I presume everyone is innocent or if I'm stupid & need to be more suspicious.... hummm!
Jude, I thing you can presume people are innocent, cos that's the law, until they are proven guilty, but sometimes you just have to be more suspicious. It's horrid, but true. Take care, especially when getting on the train or around old ladies!
please dont give your phone to anyone else....its already proving expensive!!!
Yes Mum!
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