Kindness

A widower neighbour is on a very low income, and an 18 year old daughter with learning difficulties - except when it comes to spending money. He nips in now and again for company. Over the last couple of weeks, after he's left there's been a can of soup on the kitchen side.

Not your cheap stuff either. We've put them in the cupboard thinking he'd forgotten them. But every time one of us mentioned them, he's blushed, shrugged and looked at his feet and muttered "Yeh, well 'ah" under his breath and left without them.

Last night The Bear took him to one side after catching him popping another one - in the cupboard this time. "Right Mr. T', what's all this with the soups?" she said, being as blunt as only The Bear can be.

"That chuffin' husband of yours. We all know around here he's always flaking out. Seen him do it! I've seen you 'plate him up' and put it in the fridge. Thought he might take the hint and actually bloomin' well Eat Something!" Exit one acutely embarrassed Mr. T.

We've since discovered his wife (who died of breast cancer a few years ago) was a Type One diabetic.

His assessment of why I 'flake out' is a bit squewiff, but. Oh. My. The kindness of strangers.


Excellent article in The Guardian today. All I can say is? Indeed. Thanks to @BendyGirl for tweeting that.