After finding out my boyfriend was alive and well this morning, he then told me that he didn't know how he was going to get to North London to accompany someone for their Grade 2 exam. I said surely they will understand the problem.... how wrong was I.
The mother phoned up to tell him to get a taxi - from south london to north. I cannot believe some people.
There is no way I am letting him get on a number of buses or even attempt to get there - i am SURE they will be sympathetic to his situation. Absolutely ridiculous.

PS i dont even want to leave my house - so I can teven see him myself

im sure that the abrsm would understand and rescedule the exam..i would have thought that the mother would too! doesn't she know that people are worried?
but i can't believe some people...one friend who has been very depressing the last 6 months joined in a conversation today that i was having about how inspiring the kids were yesterday...and claims she can't stand depressing people and wishes our culture was different....!?!
can't you explain to this mother that although you understand it's her son's exam, you have been worried about your boyfriend and would prefer to have him at home for the time being?

Fluteytoot - it's quite possible that taxis would be impossible to get anyway.
I live south of London, and traffic was so disrupted here this morning that I ended up walking home. Not a big deal - but transport was almost impossible - especially when they evacuated our local mainline station and the crowds poured out on to the surrounding streets.

I 'm sure you don't need to worry about your boyfriend. Examiners will be similarly affected - I guess your friend's pupil's mother doesn't perhaps realise how much of the London area has been thrown into chaos - even outer districts not directly affected by the blasts.

Thats true - he couldnt get a taxi even though he tried! Maybe she isnt aware of the extent the transport system has been messed up.
And also it would have been quicker if Id walked from Notting Hill to Wimbledon this morning I think!

The AB has to be sympathetic. London's transport is at a standstill and a good part of the city is cordonned off. I heard that some of the main line stations have opened but little is actually moving. How can anyone do anything?

Hoping all is well with everyone..........

Well surely the safety of your boyfriend and the boy he is accompanying is much more important than an exam??? The mother doesn't sound a very sympathetic person if she can't understand your concern but I am sure ABRSM will be very understanding of this problem. If someone who had been injured by today's events was travelling to London for an exam they certainly wouldn't expect them to even consider taking the exam so I'm sure they will understand that people will be nervous taking public transport or even travelling into London, especially as police have advised people not to do this in case of any further incidents.

Lisa xxx

Probably someone else will have stood in and done the accompanying. I certainly would if I saw some kid at a loose end in the waiting room - and with such a good reason the examiner would surely be sympathetic!

Liz