Dumping Fred
© Fran C 2007

Recently I noticed that I was being followed, I’ll call him Fred. A few times I went out to my car and Fred was lurking there. My son was afraid of him, but he just irritated me. Some mornings he’d be there, waiting, other mornings he was nowhere in sight. I noticed that once or twice last week he followed me to my son’s school, and then to work. When I finished work, he was still there! He never seemed to get tired or bored of waiting for me.

On Wednesday, my son wouldn’t get in the car because Fred was there. I was so annoyed I pushed Fred into my next door neighbour’s garden.

On Saturday morning the same thing happened. I reversed off the drive and all but forced my son into the car. Fred was hanging onto the car and wouldn’t let go. I drove off at speed with Fred hanging on for all he was worth. I made a few sharp turns, even drove through some lanes at 40 mph, but Fred was still there, hanging on for grim death. My son kept looking over his shoulder, and regularly informed me that Fred was still there, we hadn’t lost him. I jokingly suggested we get the police to shoot him, but as he pointed out, they’d have probably shot the car window too.

We reached town, with Fred still clinging on. I drove into the underground car park and I think the sudden change from sunlight to semi darkness took Fred by surprise and he fell off the car. I drove on with barely a backward glance; he was some-one else’s problem now.

We finished our shopping and returned to the car, Fred was still nowhere in sight. I drove home, all the while looking out for his return, but still no sight of him. I parked on the drive, and had one last look for him. Nothing! Hopefully that’s the last time I see that damn spider…