We hear many stories of people picking up hitchhikers to find when it is time to drop them off, they have disappeared into thin air. I remember the wonderful Telly Savalas being on British Television with such a story that happened to him. Well, here is taxi driver Mr. Harry Summers’ story.

Widower Harry said, “I had done a full night working as a cab driver on this stormy night. It was cold and wet and not a nice night at all. I was on my way home driving down a country lane towards Bexleyheath (Kent county). I was tired and whistling the tune Danny Boy when suddenly a person walking along the road just seemed to appear and I narrowly missed them. I stopped and looked back and the figure carried on walking and looked like a small lady. I was in shock as I had nearly ran her over. I did wonder what on earth she was doing walking out so late at night in such bad weather.

I got out of my car and waited for her to get nearer to me, and as she appeared it was obvious that she was an elderly lady.

I asked her if she was alright and if she would like a lift. She did not seem bothered at all and said, “Oh that’s very kind of your sir, if you don’t mind, I will accept, I only live up the road.”

It was at this point I started to feel peculiar. Peculiar inasmuch as the noises around me began to be exaggerated, the rain on the car, the windscreen wipers, the noise of the engine. But I felt as though I was somewhere else. It is hard to describe. Everything had an echo to it!!

Just then the old lady said in a quivering voice, “How are you Harry?”

I coughed and spluttered and said “You know my name?”

She said, “Of course, I know your name. I have known you since you were a little lad - Rose sends her love”.

By this time I was really freaking out as Rose was my beloved wife who had passed to spirit five years before with cancer.

At this point I was just amazed that the old lady I had nearly run over and had given a lift to, knew me. How much of a coincidence is that, I thought. Especially as I have never lived anywhere near Bexleyheath!!

I said, “What is your name?” She replied with a quivering voice, “Eliza, you can stop here Harry”.

I was now in a street with lights and stopped. I looked round and there she was GONE!!!! First of all I looked around in the back and then thought she must have jumped out but there again, she couldn’t have as I always lock the doors. And anyway, it was just impossible for her to get out without me knowing. There was not enough time, it would have been seconds.

I couldn’t wait to get home, it was really spooky. I told everyone I came into contact with for weeks and years!!!

Delving into my family tree I found out that I did have a great grandmother called Eliza and I know she was my Messenger.