City sighs with relief as terror fails to kill

THE NEWS that London has suffered yet another terrorist attack was met with a combination of stoicism and pride in our emergency services.

Londoners did what we do best – go about life as normal. After a period of peace in the capital, there was huge relief that there were no fatalities this time.

The Yorkshire Post’s city office is a mile from Westminster and the main worry was about colleagues who cycle to work. There were concerns about Helen Cahill, Press Association’s city reporter, who cycles right past the place where the attack took place at exactly that time in the morning.

Frantic phone calls ensued, but no-one could get through to her. There was great relief when she walked into the office at 8.15am. In a rare move, she caught the Tube to work.

As the day progressed, people were working out ways to reach meetings in Westminster as the lockdown meant we couldn’t jump on the Tube or catch a bus.

As in other terrorist attacks on the capital, walking becomes the favoured method of transport.

Our thoughts went back to July 2005, when 52 people were killed in a series of suicide attacks during the morning rush hour. After the first attacks took place, the mobile phone system went into meltdown and scared people were queuing to use public pay phones.

I invited people who were queuing into my office so they could use our phones and get a cup of tea. Many were willing, some very keen, to tell their stories.

In the shock, grief and confusion, people were trying to work out how they could get home. Walking was the only option.

For two women in heels, it was a daunting prospect. I lent one my flat shoes and the other the trainers from my gym kit. Both women returned my shoes the following day.

For Londoners, this is yet another long walk home.