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I walk out of Oxford Street station and as I put on my gloves, I see a homeless man on Argyle Street. I saw him once at the exit of the Palladium, right next to Costa. “Can you spare some change?” I say that because I don’t have any change, but even if it’s true, I feel guilty. He looked back at me blankly, as if this was all he’d heard today.
There are 10 minutes left until the meeting near Carnaby Street begins. I popped into Preto to buy a sandwich and thought I’d get him one too. At that time, I think: “What if he doesn’t like what I like?” I don’t think he’ll just enjoy it. anything I’ll enjoy it. Maybe he has something he likes.
There was a line for Preto and I stood there thinking how nice and warm it was inside, with the aroma of coffee and fresh bread in the center. As I looked at the selection, I noticed a new breakfast sandwich sitting on the warm counter. Since it’s from 10am to 12pm, I think everyone likes omelettes. I’ll buy a warm omelet roll for the person outside. Maybe he hasn’t had breakfast, or maybe this is his lunch. He could have been there all night.
As I was thinking that, he appeared in the row behind me. He is rubbing his hands together and moving from foot to foot. Did he come to play the heat or did someone give him money to buy something? When I turned to ask him, he walked quickly to the counter, grabbed one of the breakfast roll sandwiches I was buying, pulled his sleeve down over the joint, and held it like an orange. Ta.
At first, I think it’s warming my palms. Then he leaned around me and looked at the distracted servers. So he turns on his heel and quickly walks away. Once outside he starts running.
At this point, I want to shout out to him: I’ll pay for it! ” But if I do that, I don’t want him to get in trouble because I would be emphasizing the fact that he came in, took a bite of his sandwich, and left.So I stand there, full of regret and angry at myself for not offering to buy him something along the way. in. What if he gets caught?
But the next moment I smiled. Because he wasn’t caught and the people of Preto didn’t make a fuss when they saw him. When I get to the front desk, I think about what I’m going to say to the young clerk. “A homeless man came and took a sandwich. I was going to buy it for him, so I’ll pay for it.” But I don’t do it, because deep down I don’t think so. Because it is happy He hurt it, and maybe they will too.
Julie Hamill is a novelist and radio host.follow her her X/on Twitter. Photo by Mrs Ellacott via Wikimedia Commons. Support OnLondon.co.uk and its writers for just £5 a month or £50 a year and you’ll get more bang for your buck. Click here for details.