Preamble:
I’ve just spent a week working away and while I had to be in drab for most of the working day, the evenings were Helen’s time. I took the opportunity to fully dress and makeup and resolved to venture out into the big wide world. As someone who has in the past made one or two tentative excursions I decided that, as I had a week I would start small, build confidence and work my way up to a point were I was going to be visible to others. Due to the customer I was working at encountering problems with late running building alterations which meant I couldn’t complete my work, I was gifted 2 consecutive days (3 nights) were I could remain as Helen. This meant I was able to drive around visiting places each day fully dressed. Before then however I had four evening were I could de-drab and be Helen.
I’d read of so many making the break out into the big wide world and having made a few discrete forays under the cover of darkness in times past I decided that it was time to raise the stakes and go where contact with others was a real possibility.
That evening I drove to a local sea side town where I hoped to find a quiet place to park and take a walk along the sea front parade. So having parked up, summoning up courage I stepped from the car, put on my new coat and scarf, placed handbag on arm and set off for a gentle stroll along the promenade. The first few minutes went without hitch but then suddenly there was someone taking a smoking break outside just the other side of the road. Thinking of the old phrase “Keep calm and carry on” that’s exactly what I did. Was I read or not I couldn’t say but I continued to walk at my gentle pace. Twenty yards further on and a garage door opens and out come two guys intent on fixing something roadside. Again carry on, the world hasn’t ended.
I walked on a little further but this was taking me into a part of the town much busier and far more brightly lit and I as yet wasn’t feeling brave enough to tackle that situation. So I found a bench, sat down and when a young couple walked by, dug about in my handbag for that thing that ladies always look for and can’t find. The two “fixit” men were still there so I sat still until they disappeared back into the garage and deciding not to push my luck I headed back the way I came, past the garage without incident. However when I looked back as I crossed the road 50 yards further on one of the two was stood staring in my direction so I guess I was made (other either that I looked so good I was worth a second look!?).
Back to the car without any further drama and feeling more than a little buoyed I drove to a local supermarket and a walk across the car park to visit the cash machine. So further little steps along Helen’s journey out into the big wide world. More to come.
Originally Posted by Victoria StJohn
