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Profit And Loss
Posted by
Kopite Girl
,
06 August 2010
·
89 views
Ok.
I went to the bank on Tuesday to draw on my rent money. Got on the bus, crowd of giggling kids ages from around newborn to 7 with a couple who looked absolutely awfully flat broke and worn down. I started chatting and they were chatting back. The eldest child asked the father and I do not exaggerate 'Dad, are we able to eat our dinner tonight. I'm hungry and I only had biscuits last night.'
Obviously the parents were mortified. I stopped. Took my money out of my purse and handed the woman 30 pounds to get food. The parents were crying and couldn't thank me enough, so I asked the bus driver to stop and explain to him what I was going to do. I borrowed an old mans hat, and done a whip-round explaining why. People threw pennies, pound coins, five pound notes in. Then gave it to the family. There must have been at least 40 pounds in the hat. They were very grateful and the lady hugged and kissed me and the kids just kept playing. The Dad was too emotional to say anything.
Anyway my stop came and I said goodbye. Got off the bus and went home.
Following morning, checked my purse. Nothing. I freaked out. I panicked. Checked everywhere. Retraced my steps to the bus and back home twice. Called the bus company, nobody handed my money in. I must have put it in my pocket instead of my purse. 270 pounds missing. I was gutted but comforted myself with the thought Maybe the family had found it, and something was telling me the money was meant for them.
This morning, at the bus stop, the mother of the kids was waiting. She handed the money back. She said she'd waited yesterday afternoon. I was very grateful. So I split my money with her. She needs it more than me. I've paid my rent and I'm sure I can do without them pair of boots for one more month.
I know a family is safe, and fed and warm. That is much much more than I could want.
I went to the bank on Tuesday to draw on my rent money. Got on the bus, crowd of giggling kids ages from around newborn to 7 with a couple who looked absolutely awfully flat broke and worn down. I started chatting and they were chatting back. The eldest child asked the father and I do not exaggerate 'Dad, are we able to eat our dinner tonight. I'm hungry and I only had biscuits last night.'
Obviously the parents were mortified. I stopped. Took my money out of my purse and handed the woman 30 pounds to get food. The parents were crying and couldn't thank me enough, so I asked the bus driver to stop and explain to him what I was going to do. I borrowed an old mans hat, and done a whip-round explaining why. People threw pennies, pound coins, five pound notes in. Then gave it to the family. There must have been at least 40 pounds in the hat. They were very grateful and the lady hugged and kissed me and the kids just kept playing. The Dad was too emotional to say anything.
Anyway my stop came and I said goodbye. Got off the bus and went home.
Following morning, checked my purse. Nothing. I freaked out. I panicked. Checked everywhere. Retraced my steps to the bus and back home twice. Called the bus company, nobody handed my money in. I must have put it in my pocket instead of my purse. 270 pounds missing. I was gutted but comforted myself with the thought Maybe the family had found it, and something was telling me the money was meant for them.
This morning, at the bus stop, the mother of the kids was waiting. She handed the money back. She said she'd waited yesterday afternoon. I was very grateful. So I split my money with her. She needs it more than me. I've paid my rent and I'm sure I can do without them pair of boots for one more month.
I know a family is safe, and fed and warm. That is much much more than I could want.
