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Editor ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK Digital Editor EVE COLEMAN Deputy Editor ELENA VENTURELLI
The kindness o Isobel Edmondson fondly reflects on an unexpected encounter
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bout a year ago, before the pandemic and the day after I returned to uni after the Christmas holidays, I woke up on a sunny morning and thought it would be the perfect day to take a walk to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. I expected nothing out of the ordinary to happen and planned to head to the library afterwards. I stuck my headphones on and set off – little did I know how this day would leave a lasting mark on me to this day. When I arrived, I sat down and stared into the distance, absorbed in my cyclical thoughts and not really paying attention to the podcast I was listening to. I must have looked a bit low (I have a self-diagnosed case of ‘resting bitch face’) because a woman (let’s call her Julie) came and sat by me. For a moment she didn’t say anything but then she asked if I was okay. Julie had approached me because she said I looked reflective. She wasn’t wrong, but I probably wasn’t thinking of anything too profound – maybe my to-do list or how long I should endure my disappointing choice of podcast. I told her I was fine and just admiring the view. I understood why Julie had come over. We talked about the sad associations with students and the bridge and then went onto topics like where I’m from, what I’m studying, etc. Her husband, Peter, joined the conver-
sation and to my surprise, suggested that I joined them for lunch. I thought they were just being polite – we didn’t know each other after all, but I agreed because I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t. I was caught off-guard by their offer but there was no harm in being spontaneous. The idea of not having to cook my own lunch with the less-than-inspiring ingredients I had in my flat was also rather appealing, it must be said! We had soup in a cosy café and we talked about our lives. It was fascinating to hear their stories; I realised that I had never had a proper conversation with a Bristolian before and had met few people
here outside of the student age bracket. Without trying to be dramatic, it felt like something from a book or film. They were full of advice and encouragement for people I had only met about half an hour ago; Peter told me that it was okay to not know what I was doing and that life is to be enjoyed. They made me feel truly seen and heard, which is rare when you’re surrounded by a huge sea of students. It’s easy to feel anonymous, especially in first year when you’re still settling into a new life. Julie said that I had a lovely smile, which was refreshing after being told by random men on the street to ‘cheer up, love’ (yes,
