Man Takes Slightly Different Route to Work
A neighbor immediately phoned her sister in Dudley to update her.
West Midlands Police Urge Public to Refrain from Speculation
BIRMINGHAM — A 43-year-old accounts administrator took a slightly different route to work for the first time in 15 years, leaving neighbors and colleagues struggling to make sense of the disruption.
David Henson's decision to walk along Colmore Road instead of his usual path down Howard Road was described by longtime residents as deeply unsettling and "frankly, a bit much."
"He's always been a Howard Road man," said Margaret Tolley, 67, who has observed Henson's morning routine from her front window since 2009. "When I saw him turn onto Colmore, I had to sit down."
Tolley said she immediately phoned her sister in Dudley to inform her of the situation.
West Midlands Police confirmed they are aware of the development. "This kind of deviation from routine is unusual, but not unprecedented," said Chief Inspector Graham West. "We would ask that members of the public refrain from speculation and allow Mr. Henson the space to process whatever it is he's going through."
At Henson's workplace, a regional logistics firm, colleagues noted that the office atmosphere had been tense since the news spread. "David's always been one to stick to his habits," said coworker Linda Greaves. "Same desk, same route. Maybe he's just avoiding the roadworks on Howard? It's thrown off the entire floor."
Henson declined to comment at length, offering only a brief statement to reporters outside his home. "I just felt like a change today."
Pressed further, he added, "It was fine, actually. Bit longer."
Tolley confirmed she would resume her position at the window at 7:45 the next day.
"I just need to know if he's going back to Howard," she said. "I don't think I can handle another Colmore." ■
