It’s not knowing…not being sure because you can’t see. When my little grandson Stanley stays over he insists a lamp is left on…I don’t make an issue about it …I understand.
I can remember a rag book about The Wardrobe Monster which I was given as I was learning to read and that made me extra cautious where closed cupboards were concerned especially in my bedroom. A child’s mind is a wonderous thing and mine was no exception where my imagination regularly ran riot.
When I was young I’d have a recurring dream that I’d got up in the night to use the bathroom. From the dark landing I’d glance down the stairs, the moonlight would be shining through the glass of the front door illuminating a small darkened figure with her head bowed down. She’d slowly look up and I’d see it was a very old lady with a haggard face. When her eyes made contact with mine her face would fill with rage and she would bolt up the stairs towards me.
Luckily I’d always jump out of my sleep before she ever reached me.
In my waking hours I hated having to use the bathroom at night, my dad would go mad if I left the lights on so as soon as I flicked the switch off I’d have this overwhelming feeling that something was approaching me from behind.
I’d fly down those stairs like a kid possessed This lasted until I was in my early teens. 🫣
To be fair that big old Victorian house was really spooky. 🫣
For that reason I fitted a separately switched lighting unit (10watts) outside the bathroom so that my four daughters could get up to use the bathroom (door left open) without fear of the unknown lurking. That fitting was still in place when I sold the house onwards as the new owners wanted it left in situ.
With four daughters all within 6yrs, I had to be both considerate and understanding. Unfortunately, our only son did not make it past his first day and the next attempt provided us with another beautiful daughter, so I went for a snip late in '73 as four girls were enough for any lone male in a household . A 5:1 ratio is enough for any man no matter how tolerant