**Diary Entry 5th of November**
I remember the day clearly. My grandmother had given a man money for the bus fare, and later, uninvited guests turned up at her door.
Martha had spent her entire life as a schoolteacher, but now, with only a small pension to live on, she had no choice but to sell vegetables at the market. Her son-in-law had moved on with a new wife, and her daughter, Emily, had returned home with her little girl. Martha did whatever she could to help.
“Mum, I feel awful seeing you like thisout in the garden, then the market all day,” Emily would say. “You should be resting.”
“Dont you worry, love. While Ive still got strength, Ill help you and little Sophie. Youve been a blessing tooclearing half the garden in two days! Id never manage alone,” Martha would reply. “And Sophie needs new shoes for school. Cant have her turning up in worn-out ones, can we?”
Thats how they got by, leaning on each other, believing that one day, their luck would turn. Of course, if Emily could have “walked over hot coals,” she wouldnt have struggled so much alone.
One morning, Martha set off to the market. Her usual spot was a good onealways busy. But another vendor, a woman named Margaret, who used to know Martha from her teaching days, had taken it.
“Had a lie-in, did you? Sorry, loveclaimed your spot. Takes me an hour to set up, and Im not moving now. Youll have to find another place today,” Margaret said smugly.
Martha didnt argueit wasnt in her nature. She settled nearby, arranging her produce, only to find her neighbour, Theresa, already there.
“Hows that son-in-law of yours? Still gone?” Theresa asked.
“Still gone,” Martha sighed. “Hes got his own life now.”
“Kids these days dont care for family. Too busy chasing their own happiness. My lads still unmarried, off hiking mountains instead of settling down,” Theresa muttered.
Time passed quickly in idle chatter. That afternoon, a scruffy young man wandered through the market, drawing nervous glances.
“Been inside, have you?” Margaret whispered, and the other stallholders stiffened.
The man approached Marthas stall, fumbling in empty pockets.
“Auntie, havent got a penny to my name. Could I trouble you for an apple or twojust until I pay you back?”
“Take them, love. Whys a fine lad like you without a penny?” she asked, shrugging.
“Had a bit of trouble, Auntie. Got tangled up in something stupidended up inside. Not a violent man, just made a mistake.”
“Family cant help?”
“They could, but Id rather surprise them. Been too ashamed to call.”
“Long way home?”
“Liverpool.”
“Thats a fair journey!”
The lad stepped away briefly, speaking to a coach driver before returning.
“Auntie, lend me a tenner? Otherwise, Ill never get home. I swear Ill pay you back once Im working again,” he pleaded.
“How much?”
“Twenty quid.”
Without hesitation, Martha handed it over, ignoring the shocked stares.
“Cant have you walking all that way,” she said.
“Thank you! My names Paulwhats yours?”
“Martha.”
“Thank you, Martha!” he called over his shoulder as he dashed for the coach.
“You daft woman! Youll never see that money again!” Theresa hissed.
“Shouldnt we help each other? Were not animals,” Martha replied.
“That ones no better than a stray dog!”
Martha ignored her, packing up for the day.
By the weekend, Emily had fallen ill with a fever. Martha gathered herbs from the garden, tending to her as best she could.
That evening, little Sophie tugged at her sleeve.
“Grandma, read me a story?”
“Of course, love,” Martha said, smoothing her hair.
Rain tapped at the windows as Emily set the table. Thena knock at the door.
They exchanged glances. They werent expecting anyone.
“Evening,” said the stranger stepping inside. Martha squintedthen recognised him.
“Paul?”
“Thats me. Sorry it took so long to pay you back. Lifes been complicated.”
“Wouldnt have known you! Look at yousmart suit, clean-shaven!” Martha laughed.
“Join us for supper,” Emily offered shyly.
Over the meal, Paul explained his storywrongly sentenced, three years wasted.
“Got my old job back nowhead of maintenance at the hospital. So if you ever need anything, just ask,” he finished, glancing at Emily.
A week later, a familiar car pulled up outside. Paul stepped out, flowers in hand.
“Emily! Look out the windowyour beaus here!” Martha teased. “Reckon well have a wedding soon?”
Emily laughed, hugging Sophie close. “Well thenlooks like our streets finally seen some luck!”
**Lesson:** Kindness comes back in ways you never expect. Even when the worlds unkind, a little faith goes a long way.
