On Tuesday, I had to get to Gatwick by 7 am. Factoring in the possibility of delays etc, I ordered a cab for 5am. On the dot of 5am the cab firm phoned to tell me that the cab was outside. I went outside, but there was no sign of the cab. I phoned the firm, which said it was on 'X' road. I pointed out that I don't live on 'X' road. I was asked where my house is - on the A-Z, I said. Parallel to 'X' road. The controller said he would send the car round. After more than five minutes it still hadn't materialised, so I was back onto the firm. I explained that standing around on the street in a 'red light' area at 5 am in the morning made me feel very vulnerable and I found this unacceptable. The controller understood.
Then the car came. The driver said, "It's dreadful round here. I only just stopped on 'X' road, and there were prostitutes banging on the door."
"I know," I said. "I felt very vulnerable hanging around on the road in the dark."
"Oh, you're not....?" he asked.
"No, I have a business meeting at 7 am," I said fiercely.
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