Last night my wife and I were coming home late, along the A1307, when we both thought we saw a young child on the grass at the side of the road.

Given it was nearly midnight we were concerned so stopped. It turns out it was two 17yo girls who had been at a house party, tried to get a taxi unsuccessfully and had started to walk home to Haverhill. That has to be at least 5miles. They had both been drinking and one was much the worse for wear.

My wife and I gave them a lift home and thankfully no one was sick in the car. Whilst one was struggling to speak, because of the drink, the other young lady was very polite, very grateful and even offered to pay, which of course we refused. It was also good that they stuck together.

I can’t help thinking this might have been a very different story. I have no doubts that the possibility of them stumbling into the road was high with the danger of being hit by a vehicle. More worrying was the possibility that they could have been given a lift by bad people.

As I write this I know I am sounding old. I also know I did some risky things at that age. But the world feels less safe than it did.