I’ve lost track of the times that I’ve made people jump in surprise when I’ve walked into a room and spoken to people who haven’t realised that I was there. Its been a source of constant amusement for me and the occasional scream by family, friends, and co-workers for years.

And so, after years of people threatening to put a bell on me, I’ve gone and put one on my keys. It started as an in-joke with Lady S, who I’ve been calling ‘kitten’ as a pet name – but then people started to be warned enough of my presence that they stopped jumping, so I kept it attached.

Last week my mischevious streak came out to play, so I removed the bell while I was at work. WIthin ten minutes I had one person audibly yelp, another jump, and another drop the books they were carrying. That was just the staff. So, I’ve started wearing the bell again – but it perhaps says a lot about me that I’ve now noticed myself walking even more softly and smoothly so as to reduce the chiming of the bell. I do wonder how long it will be before someone jumps when I appear despite the warning chimes.

I probably need to get out more.