Neighbours to rescue in (early) hour of need

Acouple of weeks ago I locked myself out of the house while Flossie was still inside. We had been out for an early walk and returned home in our usual way. I unlocked the front door, we went inside and Flossie had a drink of water.

Then I opened up the back door, fetched my watering can and decided to water the various pots I have in the front garden.

Thinking I still had my keys in my pocket, I closed the front door carefully behind me so Flossie wouldn’t escape.

As the door clicked shut I had a niggling feeling that maybe I didn’t have my keys with me after all.

I was right.

I was in the front garden with no key, no phone and Flossie was inside.

I watered my plants calmly while I considered what to do. My one saving grace was that the back door was propped open.

However, my newly installed gate to the back garden was firmly locked.

The only way to gain entry was to scale the gate. I took one look at it and decided that wasn’t within my capabilities.

It was time to wake up my neighbours.

Fortunately we get on very well and, after some initial confusion between them about whether I had been “locked out” or “knocked out”, a ladder was produced.

By this point Flossie had sensed the commotion and was whining plaintively in the back garden, wondering what was going on.

My pyjama-clad neighbour looked bleary-eyed as he held the ladder while I clambered up. I paused at the top, temporarily catching my T-shirt on the fence. We all giggled at my predicament while I wondered how I would get down the other side.

Grateful that my recycling container was conveniently placed, I lowered myself down gingerly, using it as step.

The relief! Flossie watched my antics in amazement, wagging her tail at our reunion.

I now make sure I unlock the gate before watering the front garden.

I’ve also given a spare key to my neighbours.