Have things changed, or is it me?
I went into the next town on Wednesday because I wanted something from the Holland & Barrett there.
When I was in the big shopping centre, I was a little saddened at how it is changing.
The indoor seats dotted around were mostly full of down and outs or drunks, presumably because it was a rotten cold, wet day. It never used to be like that.
The shops were full of people pushing and shoving and cursing at having to wait to be served.
Some of the shopkeepers looked harassed and not happy in their jobs anymore.
In Boots, there were a scruffy couple wandering around, being rather loud and silly. The shop assistant watched them as the girl hung around the expensive perfumes, until they eventually moved on. The assistant told me afterwards that the girl was about to shoplift some perfume.
I saw the same dubious couple in another shop 10 minutes later, again acting highly suspiciously.
I always think twice nowadays about who gets in the lifts with me. I never used to worry. And I find I don't feel entirely safe anymore in the dimly lit underground cap park.
Is it me? Why do I feel more vulnerable of late?
What is it like in any larger town near you nowadays, has it changed? Do you feel safe when alone?