I had a nightmare last night that I went to visit Herstmonceux castle, but lay down for a minute and fell asleep. I woke up in the dark, and realised that while I’d fallen asleep, everyone had left, locking up as they went. So I yelled for someone to let me out, and got up and started feeling around. Then the ground fell away under my feet (a horrible sensation) and I grabbed at something to slow my fall.
The door in front of me opened, and there was Martin, my cousin’s husband. I’d fallen down the stairs from the attic bedroom in their house where I was staying.
Weird, because as far as I know, that’s the first time I’ve gone sleepwalking in my life.
Once I realised where I was, I found that what I’d grabbed earlier was the big print on the wall. Thank goodness the hook holding it to the wall held: it’s heavy with sharp corners and glass. And it wouldn’t have done the print any good either. In the process I’d taken the skin off the outside of my little finger, I think from skidding along the wood-chip wallpaper. I think I’ve got a big bruise on my bum, but I’d need a full-length mirror to be sure, and it’s not like seeing it would make any real difference. My shoulder is a bit sore too, I think from hanging on to the picture, but no worse than when I’ve slept in a funny position.
I’ve was very lucky, but I didn’t half feel shaken up, what with the nightmare and the fall.
