All Done

“The corridor is dimly lit and quiet as I enter it and take the short walk to the main gate. I grasp the banister as I take the stairs and leave behind on the varnished and worn wood a trace of the sweat that is on my palms that will join the countless other drops of sweat that have been added as people climb up and also descend the stairwell that I now take. My breath appears before me in a steam as there is little heat on at this time of the day.

At the top of the stairs I can see the main gate and to the right the office to which I am now lead which is occupied by a thin, balding man who has been looking after me for the last year. I knock and enter and can just make out the occupant behind the desk that is pilled high with paperwork, forms and discarded, used Styrofoam cups that once contained a liquid that would struggle to retain the name of coffee in a court of law. He looks up and , I am sure, a faint smile passes his thin lips as he hands me a bin bag with my belongings . He obviously had little interest in it as everything seems to still be in there. Not much but to me they are priceless..

I am then taken to the main gate and as the key enters the well oiled lock it swings open with barely a sound as it would not be polite to have squeaky hinges at just past midnight every day. I step outside and take a deep lungful of the fresh air and as the door clicks behind me I realise I am free………..

Today is AD DAY……..Yippee”

Yes folks it has been a year.

I have not posted much on here in that time but I have read everyday. That has been deliberate on my part as I have tried to put being BR to the back burner of my mind and have tried to live a normal life without the constant thought of “ Oh my god I am BR “ occupying every thought. The time has not gone quickly as I have been sneakily looking at the calendar until today has been reached but now it is here I can at last relax. I feel that my life has been in limbo for 12 months and I have been holding my breath waiting for post to come through regarding an IPA. I even felt like that yesterday just in case the Postman delivered a hammer blow on AD eve. Luckily nothing arrived ( Phew ). That is what BR felt like for me. Taking a deep breath and holding it for 12 months until I finally let it out today. The reaction from people who know has been brilliant and I even feel some of them are a bit envious. Well I am financially better off now , if not emotionally, in a funny sort of way . Thinking about it I am also better off emotionally as well so, all in all, tikety boo ATM.

My year, to be honest, has been quite painless and it all began this day last year with me setting off for court with all my forms and payment with me. I knew I was prepared as I had spent months trawling this forum and reading everything about going BR and the after effects of doing so. If anyone is reading this and thinking about BR I would ask that you at least take that from this post and are prepared for most eventuality’s. Read, Read and read some more until you have read everything you can. Get advice from the free debt charities and this forum. It was invaluable to me and the people that post regularly with advice and support on here ( You know who you are ) and spend their time helping others are absolute stars and deserve a medal. You all have my utmost admiration and respect :T. I hope to post more now and pass on my experiences with others who are at the early stages and are looking for help.

Anyway Left court and waited for OR phone call that never came. Instead received a letter a week or so later saying that the info I had provided was sufficient and I would not be required for an interview at that stage although I may be called upon in the future. Also enclosed was a letter saying that my car was exempt and that they had no further interest in it :j.

Heard nothing from My OR at all and indeed the only time I have had contact with them is when

1...Had a bonus of £500..Phoned and told them but they were not interested as it was a one off.

2...Had a pay rise of 5% which worked out at quite a bit. Anyway phoned them and they sent out an
IPOQ to fill in which I duly did and sent back in August. I did receive a letter back questioning the
£30 I put down a month for opticians but emailed them back explaining that I need 2 pairs and that
was what the payment each month was for.

I was expecting an IPA but none was forthcoming and to this day I have heard nothing back.

“ And so I stand outside the gate in the early morning mist and I notice the peace and quiet apart from the gentle ticking over of a car on the corner of the street. I notice it as mine because the thin, balding man let me keep as it was not worth a lot and inside I see the occupants through breath misted windows looking at me with expectant faces. It is not until I walk across the street and smile that they smile back at me and I can see the relief in their faces and they look at each other as if to say “Daddy’s back”.

I climb into the drivers seat and once again take control of their direction and we head home knowing that the way is clear of obstructions and the road ahead will be clear.

As my rear lights dim into the distance and become small pin pricks in the night the thin, balding man looks up briefly, glances at the photo on his desk of a loving wife and children and smiles before he turns to the mountain of forms on his desk and starts to work”

“I never did get his name.. ”

Thank you for reading.