56./ A hot chocolate, and a door to another life.

I’m in Leeds, coming from a meeting, looking for a good deed to do before I head for the train.

A guy is asking a woman for change. I ask him what he needs.

“A white hot chocolate, with mint.”

We’re outside a Starbucks, it’s his regular order. He hovers outside as I go in. I ask him to come with me. Often homeless people, and beggars, they feel so socially outcast they won’t even go into places like cafes. Literally, they are confined to the streets, in a World of doors, they feel unable to open any, nor welcomed by whatever is on the other side.

I’m pleased to see he’s decided to join me inside, leaving his sleeping bag in the doorway.

I buy him the hot chocolate, with cream, and all the extras, he helps himself to sugar sachets.

I know he has his addictions, and pain. I share some words of kindness and encouragement, tell him of a door he might like to open one day.

Donate to Once Upon A Smile charity please. https://www.onceuponasmile.org.uk

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