EVERY single time it happens, I promise myself that I will be well prepared for the next time.

 

After all. How difficult can it be?

The other night I had been enjoying the company of friends when it dawned on us just how late it was, so after waving them off, I ran myself a bubble bath.

Relaxed and thoroughly enjoying my late night soak, my bathroom was suddenly plunged into darkness.

I lay there in the bubbles motionless for what seemed like ages, because I had no idea what I should do next.

Squinting my eyes to focus in the dark, I dragged myself out of the bath and held on to the towel rail.

Fumbling for a towel, I dripped water everywhere before deciding I should get to a window to see if I was the only house in darkness.

Everywhere was black.

A candle I thought.That's what I need.

Remembering I had a candle in the bathroom, I headed back there, but not before tripping over my black handbag which had become invisible against the very dark floor.

Head first I went flying straight into the bathroom door. Wallop. I came a right cropper.

Temporarily stunned and with cold wet hair stuck to my face, I crawled along the floor, before pulling myself up to sit on the toilet seat and get my bearings.

Fumbling in the cabinet drawer, I was relieved to lay my hands on a small scented candle I had been given for Christmas.

But the matches were in the kitchen.

Now my bathroom is upstairs and the kitchen is downstairs, and usually I can sprint between the two in a few seconds.But not this night.

With my limited vision, I bumped down each step on my backside like a toddler as I couldn't see a blinking thing.

Dripping wet and shivering I made it to the kitchen in one piece.

Now matches. Where were the matches?

Suddenly I had a bright idea. I'll light the candle from the cooker.

But then I remembered it was electric.

Still disoriented in my dark surroundings I found myself wondering on how peculiar it is that even though you know you have no power, you still try flicking switches anyway?

And I did. I flicked every switch on the kitchen walls in the hope that, despite what was obviously a power cut, something would come to life. But of course, there was no chance.

So I rummaged through the kitchen drawer. You know, the kind of drawer we all have which is full of every kind of useless item you daren't throw out just in case you ever need it.

Groping in the dark I finally felt the rough edge of a tiny box of matches.

Brilliant.

Excitedly I struck the first match. Nothing.

Then the second. Nothing.

Then the third. Nothing.

Then the fourth ...

By now I was rather agitated and rapidly running out of damp matches.

Finally, the last match teased me with a tiny flicker before dying.

With a huge sigh I sat down and couldn't help notice that the house was rapidly cooling down.

I know. I had another bright idea. I'll fill a hot water bottle.

But obviously the kettle didn't work.

At this point I I began to question my sanity.

That means a cup of tea is out of the question was my next clever deduction.

Then it hit me.

I've got a torch in my rucksack. So now all I've got to do is find the blinkin' thing in the pitch blackness.

Groping my way along my freshly painted walls, I made it to the hall cupboard where my rucksack was.

And lo-and-behold, inside was my torch.

My wet hair was now freezing and stuck to my back. Like a cold reptile I shivered in the dark as I switched on the torch, and, for the first time, I could see just how eerie and unwelcoming my house looked in this dim light.

But, as luck would have it (my luck anyway) the torch light cruelly started flickering before dying. And I repeatedly cursed the Pound Shop batteries which had prematurely gone flat.

So there I was. Stuck in the darkness.

I couldn't find my mobile and the telephone land line was dead.

The hairdryer was useless, the TV was off, the internet link was lost.

And, to top it all, my fancy electric bottle opener was flat as a pancake, which meant that even a glass of wine was out of the question!

Half an hour later while considering my limited options, my house suddenly came alive again with lights and sound everywhere.

The cooker, microwave and various electrical items were flashing intermittently and my clocks were all out of sync.

But nonetheless, I was delighted to be back to 'normal'.

Later when I sat down in my bright, warm living room, I vowed that the very next day I would put together a wee emergency pack with a torch, batteries, matches and a lighter that actually work.

Perhaps I'll get round to it tomorrow.