The Fallen Lady

I fell. Silly old me. I'm only going to the shops to get some milk because Tom is coming around later. He'd told me he'd get it on the way through but I'm old-er, not an invalid. It does me good to get out of the house.

I don't know what I've fallen over. A paving stone, maybe? The tree roots can cause them to rise so, like mini tectonic plates, but usually I'm careful about where I put my feet, looking downwards more often than straight ahead nowadays.

My hand hurts. And my knee. Oh, look! I've got blood on my hand. I can't lie here all day. I'd better get up.

Oh, there's a silver car stopped right next to me. Who could this be? I don't know anyone in a silver car. Except Donald and he lives in Cheltenham. I don't think he'd be round these parts at this time of day. They've put their hazard lights on and everything.

There's a woman getting out. She's got someone with her. She looks a kindly sort.

"Are you okay? I saw you fall."

I'm a little embarrassed to tell the truth but my heart is racing and I'm going to accept her kindness for what it is - an extension of sympathy from a fellow human. She's not fussing over me. She's waiting for me to answer.

I tell her I'm okay and as I try to get up, she takes my arm and helps me to my feet. I'm a bit shaky and my hand is bleeding. I think I might have torn a hole in my trousers. They were only old ones anyway. I can't feel a cut on my knee but I bet there'll be a bruise later. She's going to her car. There's a boy in the passenger seat. I wonder where they're going.

"I've got some water. We can get your hand cleaned up a bit."

She takes my hand and I let her. She pours a small amount of water on the palm of my hand and I watch as the blood dilutes and she dabs at the scuff the pavement's given me, with a tissue. She peers at the wound like she's a nurse. I'm grateful for her care.

"I don't think there's any grit in it."

I look at my hand and all I see is red. It's starting to throb but that's because the skin has skimmed off. She's talking to me.

"Where were you going?"

I tell her that I was heading for the shop for some milk and explain that my son and grandson are coming later. I like to sit in the supermarket cafe too and have a coffee. It breaks up my day. She understands and offers to take me to the supermarket but I will call Tom and get him to get the milk on his way through.

"Do you want me to take you home?"

She is looking at me compassionately and I am grateful for her attention but I'm okay and I tell her so. I've only just set out so my home is a few steps away. I can make it home, I think.

"So, you're okay to walk?"

I take a step forward and though I'm still feeling a little shocked, its impact is becoming less, dissolving in the face of this stranger's kindness. Reassured by my smile, she heads back to her car and waves to me as she moves off.

I wonder whether I'll tell Tom about this later. I know that he'll be worried about me falling but he might just be reassured by knowing that there are people in this world who still drink from the well of human kindness.