the day of the crazy shouty guy

I collected Zeke from pre-school this morning and we headed for a flump as is our tradition. On returning to the car, I noticed a guy parked behind me, half on double yellows, but didn’t pay a great deal of attention to him. The boys and I were heading off to Alderley Edge and, as we were facing in the wrong direction and there was no traffic on the minor road, I started a 3 point turn. I pulled forward and as I went to reverse back, the chap behind me very quickly reversed into my space and completely blocked me from moving. There was a bollard in front of me so I couldn’t go forward either. I looked behind me to find the guy absolutely furious and screaming at me....but couldn’t really work out why. So I got out to talk to him and ask him to move for a minute so that I could in turn move my car which was completely blocking the (thankfully very quiet) road. It didn’t go to plan.

The guy was absolutely hopping mad about “people like you ruining our country” and “entitled morons doing 3 point turns”.... there were far worse slurs but I was just really confused about when 3 point turns had become the act of a dangerous aggressor. He appeared to be a deeply angry man and refused for 5 minutes to move his car as he thought I should learn to use a steering wheel. Even when I convinced him to look and see that I was blocked at the front by a bollard, he still just kept shouting “moron” and pointing at me. Which incidentally I find to be a strangely quaint word, so in hindsight I’m more amused than offended. Zeke was pretty frightened but I somehow (thanks to God because it can’t have been in my own strength!) remained calm and just waited for him to agree to move the car. During this time a tiny queue of 2 cars and a few pedestrians watched completely agog. I think no-one dared approach! Once he’d moved and released me I apologised to the waiting car drivers who were completely lovely and suggested a nice cup of tea and a sit down as all good Brits would. And of course as I drove away, I was shaking like a leaf!Zeke was so sweet though... “That man was as cross as Freddie at pre-school. Freddie does shout in all our faces!” He also shocked me by confidently suggesting we should pray for the cross man and then not think about it any more. My actual hero!

Gratefuls:

1. A lovely time with our friends Marie and Amelie;
2. Zeke and his wise little head and protective hugs when we arrived at Marie’s;
3. Being safe in the storm of the shouty guy and the kindness of strangers.