A light bright Saturday afternoon, and Anadi and I set off for a walk up the Kings road – the promise of a Pret coffee treat at the half way point!
Crossing the road out of the chilly shade, into the sunny warm on the other side of the street, we saw a man lying on the pavement… He was stretched out on his side the whole way across; a young woman beside him – hesitating, hovering – unsure what to do.
We all bent over him… ’Do you need help’? I asked, he vaguely waved a hand at me…
‘Shall we call an ambulance’? Anadi asked… Fumes of alcohol – swirled around.
He waved his hand – gave us a thumbs up… ‘I just want to lie in the sun for bit’…
And so we three continued on our way, and left him to rest in the sun…
’I think he’s had a drink’ I proffered; ‘Anadi laughed ‘I think he’s had a few’…
At Pret we chose our mini picnic with coffees – then found a space under a tree; on a grassy patch in front of the elegant cream houses, stretching upwards, tall – the doors all painted a different colour… Police in their van nearby, enjoying the restful afternoon of sun, their door open – lounging and and chatting together…
‘We used to have brunch, and spend £50’ I mused…’Hard to do now’!
As we set off – the sound of someone sobbing and crying out filled the air…
‘Please help me’…’Please help me’
He was sitting on the road, his leg looked infected and sore… ‘I haven’t got anywhere to live’.
He was crying loudly…‘Please help me’.
I went to the cash point – and took out the £50 I didn’t spend on Brunch – he stopped crying…
Further on there was a loud hooting of horns – a line of cars backing up…
A small vehicle, with a couple inside it, had broken down at the traffic lights… Some folk had already gone to help…
A group were pushing the car out of the way…
To engage – to help, to be human – two meters apart was impossible… At every turn on this Saturday afternoon of bright sunny light.