Charity begins at home

Nicola is a tall vibrant woman, in her late 60’s. She has bright blue eye shadow and a red lipped smile, she talks quickly and without pause. If I wanted to say something I would have to interrupt her. At first, I thought it was rude and then I realised if I didn’t, she would leave later feeling ashamed that she never knew anything about me.

The conversation began with Nicola saying she was told to get hearing aids that cost £5000 and she didn’t have that kind of money. ‘No way’ she said.

But have you heard about the money I found? She asked

No, what money? I asked

Well, it was the strangest thing, I found a 50 Euro note lying on my carpet a week ago. It was in the lounge behind the couch, I contacted my friend Paul to ask if he had lost some money and he didn’t think so and so we decided to give it to a charity we both support, it is for homeless people in Bristol, Paul had been to Europe in last few months but didn’t think he had any money – especially that much – but it wasn’t mine and so that is what we did.

My heavens where do you think it could have come from I asked

That is the strange thing because 2 days later I saw more money lying on the carpet, near the first note, but it was ALLOT of money, nearly 750 Euros

Good heavens!

Yes and then I saw there was a cushion I had bought from the charity shop, and I had taken off the cover to wash it, you know you should always do that if you get something from a Charity shop, I used to work in one and so I know they don’t clean everything they get…anyway (drawing breath) I think it came from the cushion. So I called the police.

You are joking! Finders’ keepers Nicola!

Well, the police did think it was quite funny, they said they looked in all their logbooks and they said they thought I should keep it. I phoned the charity shop and they said they didn’t have a record of anyone bring in the cushion, or enquiring about it.

Please tell me you are going to keep it!

She smiled, I think I will she said.

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