Nelson Galaxy

For a while I lived ten stories up in a penthouse flat on Kingsland Road in Shoreditch. Being on the top floor I was able to crawl out of the window, shuffle along a tiny ledge and then climb up a small ladder. Positioning myself on the roof I had an amazing view of central London. This was also a great venue for drunken parties on lovely sunny evenings.

However, the tiny ledge was uncommonly precarious. On one side was the window of the flat and on the other a sheer drop. This precipice was avoided by negotiating a bird poo covered ledge that was only a few inches wide. I spent a lot of time walking along this whilst being drunk out of my mind and I am exceptionally relieved nothing bad ever happened. (I never negotiated the ledge in heels – now that would have been really silly.)

Last night I was on this ledge, poking my head over the edge of the building to the busy street below. I was really rather drunk. Whilst making my way to the small ladder I slipped on some gravel and lost my footing. I took a sharp intake of breath as I tried to grab the window frame. I missed and fell backwards. I left the building over the side, scrabbling for a handhold that was not there.

I fell quickly, I could see the side of the building flashing by and my clothes billowed in the wind. I was aware of the concrete floor rushing towards me. I felt strangely calm. I hit the road with a loud crack, feeling the blinding impact on my skull. There was a whiteout.

I awoke in bed, sweating and attempting to scream. I had bit my lip. As I became conscious I noticed that my nose was running. My hand was covered in blood as I pulled it away. I had a rather severe nose bleed and needed to stem the flow before my bed became covered in blood.

I stumbled towards the bathroom in the dark. As I groped for a light switch that was not there I wondered if this was in fact the dream and I was really lying, broken and twisted, in the middle of the road. I banged my toe and swore loudly.