Like bees around a honeypot

She was a vulnerable woman, living alone.First they controlled her food supply. Then they came for more ...

A short story by Dave Miller, 2007.

Another matter, on a more personal level, concerns a lady friend I met up with 18 months ago.

I live in London and she lives in Yorkshire, but we became very close friends and as she was suffering from nervous problems, lived alone and relied on benefit (intermittently, sometimes she had nomoney for months).

I agreed to arrange to have her food shopping delivered by Greedys(which I paid for 85% of the time).

Everything went wellat first, when I wasn'tthere I'd arrange adelivery andpayment over theinternet and itwould be deliveredfrom the Hull Greedysdepot, until one dayshe mentioned the driver was getting a bit too friendly

Chicken breasts again

One delivery day he claimed to know her father in the Police force. The driver, Barry, was apparently an ex-Police sergeant and knew him years before.

After inviting himself in for tea and chatting (and commenting on the size of her breasts) he kissed her before he left.

From then on he was phoning, calling every day(including sunday) and sitting outside her house in his van,

apparently "stalking" her.

She'd phone me in a terrified panic and hid from him by lying on the kitchen floor on more than one occasion.

I sought legal advice from a Barrister friend, recorded the visits and phone calls in my notebook and then I phoned his Greedys mobile and told him to stop pestering her.

Her neighbour also knew about his visits and watched out for her. I was ready to report the matter to the Police

No we can't- I mean hemight lose his job - himbeing an ex-copper as well

Let's tell the Police for God's sake

I also thought any trouble might result in me getting victimised by my local police as he knew my name and address, probably my needless worry but you never know. Anyway what could I do against the mighty Greedys?

I gave up and tried to make alternative arrangements for her shopping but no other supermarkets delivered to West Bronte so we were stuck with Greedys.

We tried to work round Barry by delivering on days he was off but it didn't work, as he had access toincoming orders and knew when I had ordered.

It's next Tuesday

This put a terrible strain on our relationship and the other delivery men that went there knew she was on her own and were like "bees round a honeypot", pestering her to go out with them.

I know this great kebab place in Bridlington

Our relationship is now over, especially as she forgave Barry, invited him in again and accepted money from him - that was the last straw.

I can get you discount on toiletries as well

very unlikely!!

She even accused me of branding him a stalker, and said at the time she was paranoid about her benefit problems and I was wrong to accuse him of stalking. Barry said he was just delivering round the corner and just came to see if she was all right.

Anyway it's all history now, but it still hurts. I'll never go near Greedys again even if it means starving!!!! I wonder how many other Greedys drivers are sexual predators, or was it just an isolated case with the Hull store? I'll just put it down to experience, put it behind me. She has a team of Greedys drivers looking after her now!

About the authorDave Miller is an artist living in London. He tells stories through images and text-based works, mixing topical social and political issues, trends and events, with his own experiences and life-views. He works in a range of media, from printed booklets and large gallery prints, to interactive digital works, exploring collaboration, networked storytelling and generative compositions.

website: http://davemiller.manme.org.uk

email: dave.miller.uk@gmail.com