In the 1980s, the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst had a reputation for being unsafe, particularly when new heroin batches arrived, leading to frequent overdoses. Despite this, it was also a vibrant hub for artists, filmmakers, and club-goers who dressed flamboyantly and danced the night away. Among them was a 23-year-old woman, who described herself as quite pretty and a hip underground darling.
One night, after clubbing on Oxford Street, she decided to walk home. Though always cautious, she felt the evening was pleasant enough for a stroll. The street was dark, with only a slender moon providing faint light. Soon after setting off, she sensed someone was following her. She stopped and turned around but saw no one. Continuing, she heard footsteps behind her and called out, “Is anyone there?” There was no response. She retrieved her keys and positioned them between her fingers as a makeshift weapon, walking faster, certain someone was lurking.
Suddenly, a taxi pulled up beside her. In the back seat sat an older businessman. The driver instructed her to get in. Having encountered entitled men who viewed a lone young woman as fair game, she refused, stating she had no money and lived nearby. The driver persisted, explaining that a man had been following her. “He has no good intentions. You need to get in this cab and we’re going to take you home, and don’t want to hear any more about it,” he said.
Stunned, she complied. The driver and passenger dropped her off at her home and waited until she was safely inside with her housemates before driving away. She believes these two guardian angels saved her life. After that night, she never walked home alone in the dark again and has never forgotten the strangers whose names she never learned.
This story is part of a series on the kindness of strangers. If you have a similar experience, you can share it using the provided form.
