A couple of years ago, in late December at around half past seven in the morning, I was walking along the old village road, now a cycle path, on my way to work. The street lamps were still on, but it was just beginning to get light. It was cold, but not icy or damp – the air was still, and it was very quiet.
Suddenly, behind me, I heard the sound of tyres fast approaching. I turned to make sure I wasn’t in the cyclist’s way – but there was no-one there. What I was hearing I couldn’t see. I couldn’t place the sound – a strange and unnerving uncanny moment.