A few years ago I was on a work trip out west when I began to feel very unsafe.

I’d had a difference of opinion with my colleague earlier in the day and, although I’d tried to calm the situation down, it flared up again while we driving to the next town.

It’s not pleasant when you’re stuck in a vehicle with someone who’s swearing at you.

And then things got more uncomfortable.

It was just me and him in a truck at night when he pulled off the main road and drove down a side track.

He said something about there being a lake nearby and he was, ‘just going to have a cigarette’.

We were in the middle of nowhere. There was no lights, no traffic, nothing.

I can remember keeping pace with him on the other side of the truck when he got out because I didn’t want him to jump back in, drive off and leave me there.

Did I mention he was more than twice my size?

Fortunately, I guess after he thought he’d freaked me out enough, we got back into the truck and arrived at our motel about thirty minutes later.

I can remember being in my room thinking, ‘Holy crap! How am I going to cope tomorrow?’

I had no mobile coverage and my colleague had the satellite phone.

The next day over breakfast he made a comment that completely freaked me out. And I felt very, very unsafe.

I was a long way from home and surrounded by strangers.

I didn’t know what to do.

Thoughts buzzed around in my head and I wondered if I was just misconstruing his comments.

And then my instincts kicked in.

I asked if I could borrow the satellite phone so I could check in with my boss back in Brisbane. He said, ‘sure’, and we agreed to meet in a few minutes at the hall where our workshop would be held.

I’d noticed a small tour group in the restaurant and, after my colleague left the room, I approached one of the guides, asked for a lift back east and promptly burst into tears.

That tour guide (Dave*) and his partner (Jane*) were absolutely wonderful. They were so kind to this emotional, fearful and slightly incoherent woman.

Dave helped me retrieve my bags from the truck and stayed with me while I told my colleague I had an emergency back home and needed to leave.

I rang my boss and told her what was happening. She gave her support unconditionally. Her instincts told her I needed to get out of there.

I then boarded the tour bus, with a bunch of lovely pensioners, and took the scenic route back to the nearest major town which was a couple of hours away.

Dave and Jane kindly organised a bus transfer and railway ‘sleeper’ ticket for me, and in just over 24 hours, I was home.

A couple of days later, my colleague began his drive back towards the coast and his truck broke down. He was forced to spend the night in the middle of nowhere.

If I hadn’t listened to my instincts, I would have been stuck there with him.

Of course, this all happened years ago, so why am I thinking about it now?

I guess it’s because I’ve been thinking a lot about fear lately…how we can let it control us and push us around; and how it sometimes makes us doubt ourselves and our instincts.

My instincts told me I wasn’t safe and I listened. I risked making a complete fool of myself with a bunch of strangers because I knew I needed help to get out of there.

As it turned out, there were no flights out of town that day, no trains and no hire cars either so my instincts were spot on.

I was scared but I realised I had control over what I did. So I did what I needed to do.

I don’t ever want to go through an experience like that again. But I’m stronger because of it.

I guess that’s what happens when you face your fear and take control.