 Lying in a tent in a city I didn't know, shivering in a sleeping bag, I wondered how I had got to this point. I'd gone from living in London, with a flat and a good job, to middle-aged and homeless. With no one to turn to. Last February, I moved down south from the North West. I'd been living there for about 10 years, after moving back home to become my dad's carer when he became unwell. After he passed away, I realised that I had nothing. I'd sit in all day on my own, with just my two dogs for company. I was only in my late forties, and yearned for my old life – things had to change. Both my parents had passed away, and I'd only ever had a small family – so I felt very alone. My parents assets, including the family home, caused conflict and eventual estrangement with my sibling. And in the end, I knew I needed to leave the area and start afresh. I don't know why, but I ended up getting in contact with an old ex, Jamie*, who I used to date in the early 2000s. I remember being besotted with him, he was so charming – but ended up becoming quite moody, and would fly into rages. I put it down to him coming from a difficult background, and thought to myself that he must've grown up since then – got help since it was decades ago. He lived down South, and told me I should move in with him temporarily, while I found my feet – he even gave permission for my pups to stay, too. It sounded wonderful – he had a fully kitted out caravan on the drive for me to stay in for free, and he said he'd introduce me to his friends, help me find a job, and generally get settled. I didn't think twice. Honestly, I think I was desperate. I didn't have a job back home and wanted to try again in somewhere I could be hopeful for the future. It was great, at first – and I loved it. I knew how to get the bus to town, and was finding my bearings – but after about a week, things started to){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Lying in a tent in a city I didn’t know, shivering in a sleeping bag, I wondered how I had got to this point.
I’d gone from living in London, with a flat and a good job, to middle-aged and homeless.
With no one to turn to.
Last February, I moved down south from the North West. I’d been living there for about 10 years, after moving back home to become my dad’s carer when he became unwell.