Nothing to Fear but Fear – A short story by Enid Hinton of Balsall Common Writers Group

It was 8:30 in the morning and I was in no rush to get myself washed and dressed. Our house was isolated and, thinking it a little early, it was my natural reaction to look out of the window when the doorbell rang, to check who was at the front door.

I saw a tall female, wearing dark glasses, seemingly agitated, clasping and unclasping her hands She radiated nervous energy.

I took a deep breath before opening the door ‘Can I borrow your phone?’ she asked quickly.

‘Err - Yes.’ I tentatively enquired ‘Don’t you have a mobile with you? Who do you want to phone? Oh - Is that your car on the grass verge by the gate? Do you have a problem?’ ‘Yes My car’s broken down I need to phone the garage ’

Fee ling uneasy for no apparent reason, I left her on the doorstep, walked to the kitchen and picked up my mobile. I turned around and found she was standing right behind me, her face 18 inches from mine I jumped in surprise and tried to see her expression through her large sunglasses We stared at each other for a few seconds as I leaned backwards wondering, did she want to harm me? Did she have a knife? My thoughts raced as I fumbled with my phone

‘Give me the number and I’ll dial it for you ’ I suggested She handed me a crumpled scrap of paper I slowly moved away from her and dialled the number she’d given me I didn’t recognise any local code The number continued to ring out and there was no reply.

‘Where is this garage you’re trying to contact?’

‘In Leicester.’

‘Leicester! But that’s miles away.’

We’d only been living in this house for two months and I was trying to decide where the nearest garage might be, but just at that moment my house phone shrilled and I reached to answer it ‘Do you have a lady with you? Dark haired in her twenties?

Wearing dark sunglasses It’s the police here and we’ve been notified by local police that they think her car is outside your house. Don’t mention it’s us calling but we’ve been looking for her. I don’t think she’ll hurt you, but keep her there if you can. We are on our way. She’s escaped from Glenfield Hospital in Leicester where she was being detained.’

I put the phone down and nervously smiled. ‘Just a friend about lunch’ I gabbled. ‘But you didn’t say goodbye. Bit rude isn’t it?’

‘Oh didn’t I?’ My thoughts were racing thinking I’m on my own here She’s taller than me but slightly built Could I defend myself if I needed to? What to do now? I want her out of my house. She was wearing a denim jacket and reached into one of the pockets. Did she have a gun? She found a tissue and wiped her nose.

‘Would you like a cup of coffee while I try that number again?’

‘Oh OK ’ she sighed as she seated herself at my kitchen table I kept glancing out of my kitchen window. Where were the police? How far away were they? The kettle boiled and I reached for a mug and spooned coffee into it My hands were unsteady as I shakily poured the boiling water.

‘I tell you what ’ I offered ‘Why don’t you take your coffee outside and wait in your car? I’ll phone the garage again, then when they arrive, they’ll see you waiting?’ How long did she think it would take for someone to drive from Leicester? Looking somewhat vague, she set off towards the front gate clutching her coffee.

I sighed with relief, but part of me wondered if I was being inconsiderate and unsympathetic? The telephone rang again

‘Is she still with you?’ The policeman asked. ‘We aren’t far away now.’ I glanced out of the window again and saw that her car had gone ‘Oh her car’s gone She must have driven off ’

‘Oh damn! Can you describe the car please. We’ve been given details, but I’m just checking she hasn’t dumped it and stolen another. When did she leave you?’

‘Less than ten minutes ago.’

‘Well thanks anyway. Are you alright?’

‘Yes I’m fine. A bit unsettled. What has she done? Where’s she from? She kept on about a garage in Leicester?’

‘Yes she’s been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and was in hospital in Leicester She’s schizophrenic, but it’s only when she feels threatened that she may become violent, especially when she’s been drinking alcohol, but lately she’s been acting irrationally and seems unable to look after herself. She’s probably stopped taking her medication. That’s why we need to make sure she is safe and not endangering others ’

I slowly replaced the receiver and sat thinking. I’d recently read in a magazine that mental health problems were becoming a major concern and that approximately thirty murders per year were committed by people living with schizophrenia? Food for thought! A few minutes later, I gingerly opened my front door and found the empty mug on the doorstep Had I been unnecessarily unkind and too quick to judge? I had sensed a desperation in her which I’d found unnerving. But as it turned out, there was nothing to fear - but fear!