After Jessica’s death I returned to London and rented. After the fiasco at Hyde Park Square I moved into Leinster Mews on 23rd. December. Once the removal men had gone I looked at all the stuff I had to unpack, and decided to go to the pub on the corner for a meal. As soon as I closed the door I realised I had left the keys inside. When my panic subsided I walked up to Harrow Road police station, which I had known well in my days as a Social Services Area Manager, to ask if they could recommend a locksmith. It was freezing cold. Fortunately I was wearing an overcoat. Given the proximity of the pub, I might well not have been.
Full of the Christmas spirit, the desk sergeant said he would contact locksmiths himself. This turned out to be a rather good idea, since it took him an hour and a half to get anyone to come out. From the waiting room I could hear his patter. This is what he told each person he called: ‘Got one of our elderly parishioners here. Poor old boy’s a bit confused and gone and locked himself out. It’s such a cold night I don’t want him standing outside too long.’ At some stage in the conversation he would interpolate: ‘He’s a really lovely old boy’, and when he finally got someone to agree to a visit, he added: ‘Do your best on price. He’s only a pensioner.’ Once he had been successful, he said to me: ‘I hope that wasn’t too patronising. I wanted to make sure they came out.’ I just found it hilarious.
Two men then met me at the house, gained access by credit card in about two minutes, and told me I’d done that, hadn’t I? They took the policeman seriously and were doing their best on price. In their report they claimed that by the time they arrived I had got back inside. This, they said, would mean I would not get a bill. Their management must have been wise to this, because I did receive a bill, which I happily paid. The next day, I left the house as it was and took my myself off to Mat and Tess for Christmas.
Stroke of luck
Indeed
… ah, those delightful London hobbies. Wonder what ever happened to them. Great story, Derrick.
Thanks a lot, Roland.
Great story, Derrick. What comes through it all is how jolly everyone was about the situation.
Yes. Thanks very much, Barbara
Your story is both hilarious and a little bit bit sad, too. You went through so much back then.
Thank you so much, Lavinia. It was a tough time, which you appreciate
<3
It’s good the police officer decided to play the pitiful card. It has a pretty good success rate.
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Locksmiths to the rescue yet again, like plumbers, when you need them you really NEED them!
Thank you so much, Cindy
What a great story, Derrick! Thank you for sharing. So funny!
Thank you very much, Merril
That was amusing – and definitely a bit more than a little patronizing. But it worked!
Thanks very much, AnneMarie
All’s well that ends well, as the saying goes 🙂
Indeed, Rosaliene. Thank you very much
I enjoyed your story!
Thank you very much, Aletta
What a sweet story. Glad it had a happy ending.
Thank you very much, Pat
This is a delightful tale – we need to hear these now and then!
Thank you so much, Anne
Great story, Derrick! I’m glad you can look back on those times with your sense of humor intact. <3
Thanks very much, Jodie 🙂 X
xo
It seems surprising perhaps that so many people are keen to help you when they see you need it, but, like the other large apes, we are all very cooperative deep down.
Most of us, perhaps, John. Thanks very much
You have a wonderful memory to remember all of this.
Thank you very much, Andy. I am blessed with that
You’re welcome .
Patronising indeed! But just what you needed at a time when you were going through so much.
Thank you so much, Gwen
Cheeky policeman. I’m glad you didn’t stay locked out all night. 🙂
Thanks very much, Chrissy
“elderly”, oh gosh! 😮
This IS SO hilarious! What great memory, Derrick! What a great policeman! (He knew how to get the job done! 😉 ) What great locksmiths!
Aw…with so much sadness and pain in your life then, I bet just hearing that conversation gave you a much needed smile. Isn’t it wonderful that sometimes even in life’s toughest times we can still find some joy.
(((HUGS))) ❤️
Exactly, Carolyn. Thank you very much X
I’m glad the desk Seargent was so helpful and explained his strategy to you. Being a “lovely old boy” is a good thing!
Thanks very much, JoAnna 🙂
This is a great post. How nice that your police department is so helpful. It’s not like that here.
Thanks very much, Robbie
Like Lavinia, I hear the sadness behind the words. But also the goodness of people. A lovely episode, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Sandra
A ray of light in what must have been such a terrible time for you.
Yes. Thanks very much, Laurie
One time when you didn’t mind someone exaggerating your age. Christmastime with a new unfamiliar home and so much loss. Oh Derrick. Wish I could go back to those days with you and share your dinner at the pub and keep your mind on other things for an hour.
I’m sure you could have done, Crystal. Thank you very much
I don’t mind being patronised if I don’t get a bill.
But I did get one, Andrew. Thanks a lot
Oh Derrick, you’ve collected a rich and varied set of memories over the years and aren’t we lucky to have one “elderly parishioner here” to tell the tale. 😉
Thank you so much, Alys
That was hilarious indeed. For a while I feared you were going to freeze up like a homeless waif having been left to the elements. May God bless the eager police officer.
Thank you so much, Uma
And nice people still existed 😉
Thank you very much, Ribana
What a lovely story, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Judy