RECENTLY I found myself in the embarrassing position of standing at the bus door at Monks Cross Park & Ride, unable to pay.

As I was about to get off again, a kind lady behind me paid my fare. I was able to repay her later that morning as we were both going to town.

On my return to the Park & Ride, I overhead the bus driver telling a retired couple that unfortunately they had got the wrong bus, and were not at the shopping park as they'd expected.

I thought to myself that as someone had helped me out that day, I would help this couple, and so took them in my car to the shops.

I did wonder... would I have thought to help them if the lady on the bus had not been so kind to me?

Nikki Waterhouse,

Back Lane,

Gate Helmsley.

Updated: 09:26 Tuesday, October 12, 2004