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Chain of Fate?

Checking on the delivery of directories for a bit of extra money, I reached the front door of the next house and knocked.

As the old lady opened the door I asked, "Have you had your local directory love, you should have had it in the last couple of days."

"I'll have a look," she said as she disappeared into another room leaving the front door wide open, "Is this it," she shouted.

"Can I come in?" I asked and she replied that I could.

I walked into her front room and confirmed that the blue directory she was holding was the right one.

"Would you mind signing to say that you've had it," I asked.

She sat down to find glasses and a pen to complete the form that I held.

I admired the pictures on her walls and was told me she'd inherited them and as I looked round I noticed that the furniture was old but was obviously worth quite a bit.

"Would you like a coffee?" she asked.

I felt a little sad as I said no, for I sensed that she was probably a very lonely old lady, but I explained that I had to get on and thanked her very much for her very kind offer.

On remarking to her how Independent she was she gestured me into another room.

"I had my bed moved downstairs into this room, because I find it difficult to climb the stairs now," she said.

"Good idea," I replied a little bit concerned at all the information she was offering me.

I was getting ready to leave, it saddened me greatly to realise that this dear old soul had just open the door to me, never even asked who I was, never asked for identification and had just offered me a tour of her house and all her worldly possessions.

She had struggled around with her walking stick and even offered me coffee.

Very trusting or very foolish, both I think, but as I reached a front door I saw a large notice which read in big letters "LOCK YOUR DOOR, USE THE CHAIN, ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION AND DON'T LET ANYONE IN TILL YOU ARE SURE THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE."

Oh dear I thought to myself she didn't use chain, she didn't ask for identification and invited me in having never seen me before.

I could have been in a street two days ago watching the directories being delivered and used it to my advantage, which could have been her fate.

If only these lovely vulnerable people would think first.

Before I left the house I turned to this lovely old lady and said to her, "You should read that notice you know"

"Oh I do," she said proudly, "I always keep the chain on and never let anyone in till I know them".

Learn more about this author, Christine Bennett.
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