It was a strange day travelling around Glasgow using public transport. Firstly, the bus was on time this morning for the first time ever. ( You just know its going to be one of those days when that happens.. )

Secondly: waiting for the bus this evening, I encountered a twenty something non educated delinquent wannabe standing next to me at the bus stop, slurping out of a two pint milk carton.

I think he wanted to drink the hard stuff before the kids drink that was the four cans of Miller snug in his shopping bag. Anyway, back to the transport link. A number 38 bus comes by and almost fails to stop due to his lateness in sticking his hand out.

The bus grinded to a halt, the man child walks past me and mutters ‘ If that bus didnae stoap ah wid hiv knoacked fuck oot eh ye! ‘

I did not flinch, nor did I speak. I gave him the evil eye and he quickly went on the bus.

Whenever I see men like him, I wish they brought back National Service.

The third strange thing happened on the bus I get home. As the bus kept stopping to let off passengers, 1 out of 2 passengers tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘ Does that one penny piece belong to you? ‘

There was a 1p sitting next to me on the bus. It did not come from my wallet. I denied everything to the caring passengers who worried for my financial wellfare.

I’m too damn honest. I never picked that 1p and kept it. It is still lying on the bus no doubt. Sad, lonely and cold for Xmas.

Perhaps one day, I shall look back on my life and wonder what life would have been like if I lied and grabbed the penny. I shall also look back on that journey as I will remember it as at journey’s end I was greeted by my mother who had a big smile on her face as she came home to us with a fish supper.

The smile on her face removed any feelings of worry or emotional
tiredness Ive had recently.

I never thought that would have happened.