WITH no cash in my pocket, I turned to the credit card to pay my park-and-ride parking fee.

My aversion to these machines still reigned and I fumbled as the bus seemed ready to leave Pear Tree.

Step forward an exquisitely attired woman probably in her early 30s. She pushed £2 into my hand and said she would tackle the cards-only monster. I promised to repay her as soon as I withdrew some cash in George Street.

I leapt aboard, but imagine my horror when the doors closed behind me, the driver engaged gear and we headed off leaving my benefactor still at the machine.

The journey was a mental nightmare. Would she have more success with the machine? I could pay my debt when she arrived on the next bus. But would she be on it? My mind was a mass of confusions.

I waited ten long minutes in George Street. Thankfully, she was aboard – heading for the railway station. I pressed a £2 coin into her hand while apologising for the hasty departure over which I’d had no control.

She thanked me – for being honest. It had made her day. But surely it was for me to do the thanking, I said.

I don’t know her name or where she came from, but her trusting nature confirmed my belief that ours is a wonderful world with lots of wonderful people in it.

NEXT week Stephanie Tye celebrates her first anniversary as press officer of Oxford’s New Theatre.

On offer for public acclaim will be The Full Monty, the hilarious stage version of the 1997 film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers who end up performing as strippers.

By coincidence, the show on during Stephanie’s first week was Cabaret, also known for some of its scenes of bare flesh. Heaven only knows what we punters might face on her next anniversary. (Suggestions on a postcard please.) Stephanie says bookings for next week are excellent, but she would not be drawn on whether the bulk of these were for women.

IT would be remiss not to mention the retirement today of Tom Hill, chief executive of the charity closest to my heart, Helen and Douglas House, the world’s first respite centre for children.

During his 11 years he has presided over the opening of Douglas House, the centre for 16 to 35 year olds, by the Queen; the expansion – or is it explosion?– of its charity shop empire; the Helen House refit, and the widening of the treatment base.

Although the name of Helen and Douglas House will, quite rightly, be forever linked with its founder, the ever-young Sister Frances Dominica, Tom’s contribution has been monumental.

Happy retirement, Tom.

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