This is the story of how God revealed his protection. Has anyone climbed up to the Whispering Gallery? It is 257 steps up a winding stone staircase and when you look over the edge, the marble floor seems a very long way down. It is.
I clung onto the wall, while my two children and our friends enjoyed whispering to each other from opposite sides of the great building. Then they wanted to go up to the next gallery: another 119 steps. Being a sensible Mum (or maybe not!) I followed. When we reached the Stone Gallery, we had to step outside.
The ledge was a couple of metres wide and everyone was enjoying the panoramic view. I was trying not to look down. It was a very very long way. Thankfully some kind person had constructed iron railings between the stone pillars, so we couldnโt fall out. It helpedโฆ a bit.
I took a photo of the London skyline then wanted to get back to safety, but my family and friends were eager to climb to the highest viewing area: the Golden Gallery. You can do this, I told myself, the steps are enclosed like Durham Cathedral, it will be fine. But when we walked through a narrow tunnel, the circular stone steps had disappeared and in their place was my worst nightmare: a hanging spiral staircase. I couldnโt look.
I used to have this recurring nightmare of going up a staircase, then it would suddenly dissolve and the next part would be impossible to reach. If anyone has climbed up to the Golden Gallery, they will know that the circular iron staircase is constructed in the top section of the shrinking dome and attached with tiny wires to the walls.
After we reached the first platform, I said to my friend, โI donโt think I like this,โ but our children were queuing on the rungs below: there was no choice but to go on. And on. And on. Donโt look up, donโt look down, donโt look to the sides, I said to myself, just concentrate on moving one step, one handhold at a time.
I prayed every one of those 152 steps and repeated this mantra in my mind: One hand, one foot: you can do this! When I reached the top, I canโt tell you what a relief it was. But then I saw what we were standing on: a tiny ledge only a metre wide with the whole of London lying beneath. I clung onto the wall and watched people squeezing past.
My friend joined me, but this young official kept saying, โMove along, other people are behind you.โ My friend looked at him. โWe are waiting for our children.โ He ignored us: โMove along!โ She backed around the narrow corner to find the children. I was alone: just me and a tiny ledge separating me from the chasm. I was paralysed with fear. โHelp!โ I screamed silently. โLord, please help me!โ
Suddenly, an elderly couple appeared and the lady smiled. โDonโt worry love, youโll be alrightอพ I was scared my first time here as well.โ I tried to smile back, but my cheeks wouldnโt move. The man nodded. โYou go first, weโll be right behind you.โ I looked at the gap that had narrowed to half a metre then disappeared around a corner. What if I stepped into thin air? 528 steps is a long way to fall.
I turned to the complete strangers. โCould I go between you?โ I whispered. The lady smiled again then took the lead and I found I could just shuffle my feet without lifting them off the ground. As soon as we turned the corner, there was the door leading down to the iron steps. I clutched the doorframe and knew Iโd be safe. My family and friends joined me and we descended another spider staircase to the Stone Gallery.
I took a similar photo of the iconic buildings, then finally we reached the marble floor of the cathedral. My legs were tremblingอพ my whole body just crumpled. I had survived, but there was something else that I didnโt know until that evening when we looked at the photos.
