Oh, Louise! What a story! You certainly are having a rough year. I am so sorry this happened to you. I do understand, however, that a metal water bottle can be a weapon. I work three evenings a week and during certain times of the year, it's dark when I leave the office. Ben always worries that someone will leap from a bush and grab me. I'm not so concerned. It's a well-lit office park and often there are others working in nearby buildings. However, I carry a metal water bottle just in case. It eases Ben's worries to know that I have a "weapon" because that water bottle, even if only half full of water, could easily knock out someone if strategically whammed against a head.