LAST Friday my wife had to visit Carphone Warehouse in Bishops Walk before the weekend.


She is 80 and I am much older. We do not walk far.


The Brewery car park was full and cars were queuing.


I resisted the opportunity to drop her off at the entrance to Bishops Walk in the rain as I could not be sure of finding a parking space.


I eventually parked backing onto the Tesco wall with a clear view of the car park to watch for her distinctive umbrella. Off she went expecting to be some time.


I ticketed for one hour to be on the safe side, visited two adjacent shops then went to Carphone Warehouse to discover her progress.


She was not there and the two assistants were busy with customers. She must either have been directed elsewhere or had toddled into nearby shops. I checked all the shops in Bishops Walk and looked out onto Cricklade Street. No sign. All I could do was go back to the car and wait.


Meanwhile, my wife had been unsuccessful and had set off for the car. She could not remember where it was and searched around the whole area. No sign. All she could do was go back to Bishops Walk and wait for me to come for her. She did not know that I had already been and knew that she was not there.


The only seat was outside in the rain. We waited for a long time in different places. Two ladies asked if she was alright. One came back a second time and my wife explained her wait for me and the lost car; she did not mention the make of car or the number. The lady said nothing and set off to find me in that wet packed car park with no guidance.


Divine guidance brought her to me, now on my second ticket. “Are you waiting for your wife?” she asked. “Yes,” I said, concerned about a possible accident (thoughts of an accident maybe.).
“She is quite alright, I will get her,” and she was off.


Soon she was back, coming with my wife. I reached behind for some goodies that I had brought in Tesco’s but at 20 yards she was off. My wife had tried to help her too, but the angel would have none of it.


Please through your columns may wbe publicly thank that wonderful, helpful guardian angel. No hat, no umbrella, just infinite care, patience and kindness. Wonderful.


H T PRICE
Cirencester