If there is one thing I learnt today, it’s that a single woman living alone needs the number of a locksmith in her phone contact list.

So I’m one of those people who find themselves caught in awkward situations such as getting myself locked out of my ensuite bathroom in the unearthly hour of 3.30am, resulting in me having to call a locksmith in the wee hours of the morning.

I don’t usually lock the door when I go to the bathroom so I think I must have bumped into the push lock by accident and then closed the door behind me after using the toilet. As to why I was up at 3+ in the morning, well, I had drunk too much water before going to bed.

Luckily I didn’t lock myself out of my room where my phone was! Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to call (I have no fixed line) for a locksmith – a number I found through googling on my iPad. Ah, what would I do without the internet?!?

Miraculously someone picked up the call and a locksmith was at my flat in 20 minutes. I can’t help but love HK people for their efficiency. But to be honest I was slightly afraid of letting a stranger into my flat at that time of the night! I didn’t have much of a choice though, as all my toiletries were in that  bathroom and I had to get ready for work in three hours! And oh, I did remember to change out of my pyjamas. :p

While waiting for the locksmith to arrive, I decided to make my lunch for the day – baked salmon fillet with blanched baby kailan. Definitely can’t accuse me of time-wasting!

Notes to self after this rather (tragically) comic situation:

1. Get all keys to doors in the flat from landlord! I had never thought to ask. Until now.
2. Be careful walking around the door knobs.
3. Watch YouTube videos on how to unpick a lock using everyday objects.
4. Take my phone wherever I go.
5. Have the number of a locksmith (or two) on hand.
6. A side gig as a locksmith might be a good idea. The guy got HK$500 for two minutes’ work.