Just thinking about today

As I was putting Tobes down I was thinking about the car thieves we saw today. In the same circumstances in Texas my reaction would've been totally different. Today I just continued walking to our car, past the crime being committed, exchanged a look with the thieves which said 'don't mess with my business and I won't mess with yours' and proceeded to buckle Tobes into his car seat and get myself into the car. In Texas I would've immediately turned around and run towards a group of people or a 'safe' place like into the grocery store.

Why the different reactions? Because in the US one or all of the following things could happen:

A. The thieves would shoot/stab/physically or verbally assault me and Toby just for seeing them commit a crime.

B. They would decide to take our car, since I had the keys in my hand it would be easier than having to break into the steering column.

C. They would take our car with me in it. Or with Tobes in his car seat in the back.

D. Or worse.

I know that these things could happen in England too. The fact is that it's not very likely. The guys today were obviously doing a job. One was in his 40s and quite overweight, the other in his 20s and seemed to be the apprentice as the older guy was telling him what to do. They were stealing a new 4X4 and had no interest in my little Renault Scenic. I would also go so far as to say that there is a genuine code of 'honour among thieves' in England. They saw I had a child, saw that I wasn't going to interfere and so they had no reason to bother me.

It's reasons like this that we stay in England.

Of course, in my imagination the thieves took my licence plate number and have used it to somehow find out where I live. They are now sitting in the white van across the street (yes, the van that I know belongs to our neighbor but they're car thieves so they could, in theory, get into it). Later they will break into the house, tie me and Tobes up and torture us for seeing them not just commit a crime but commit a crime badly. With these thoughts hovering in the back of my mind I have shat myself twice tonight at the sound of car doors slamming outside.

Will anything happen tonight? No. If English criminals are anything like English workmen they would never go to the hassle of doing anything 'extra' like looking up my address or expending energy in torture that will not make them any money. Outside of my line of expertise, luv. I'm just your bog standard car thief you see. Torture's just not my game.