Chapter 1 McDonalds
"No tables as usual," I thought balancing my tray in my hand as I fending off the usual excited kids running around. Then I spotted a woman get up from a table in the far corner and gather up a toddler and several shopping bags into a buggy. I made for the empty table. The woman seemed harassed because the toddler wanted a different toy and wasn't about to leave without it. I was hungry so left her to it and cleared the debris of their meal from the table. By the time I sat down they were heading out of McDonalds. I had a vague impression of the back of a woman in a blue blouse and denim skirt with long chestnut hair down her back. Then I noticed her purse.
She had left an old, red, leather purse on the seat opposite me. Curious, I picked it up and opened it, feeling a bit guilty about prying into somebody's secrets but wanting to know more about her. It contained a little money; not enough to be worth nicking; a dog eared photo of the daughter I had seen and a single parent benefit book. I knew immediately that I had to return the purse for the little girl's sake. After all she depended on the single parent benefit. But it didn't seem that urgent so I finished my cheeseburger and coffee.
The benefit book yielded an address I recognised on a council estate not far away. Fifteen minutes walk brought me to Poplar Avenue. The garden was homely. Not scruffy but with kid's toys and an old football on the grass. There was no sign of a car or home improvements, just a bog standard 1930s council semi.
I knocked and a boy of about 10 answered. I explained what I wanted and he called upstairs "Mum, some bloke's 'ere to see you."
"What's he want," came back a melodious voice.
"Say's he's got your purse, like," the lad told her.
"Ohhh! Come in, whoever you are. I'll be down in a second."
I stepped into the hallway. The lad didn't invite me into the living room but just stood at the foot of the stairs watching me warily. I had a moment to form impressions. There clearly wasn't much money to go around. The carpet was threadbare and there was no lightshade. But it was clean and there were wild flowers in a little vase on the window sill.
Then she came to the top of the stairs. I knew from her benefit book that her name was Debbie. She was of medium height and build. . She wasn't a classical beauty with her glasses and no make up on. But her chestnut hair, falling softly over her shoulders, was striking and she had a nice smile.
"Sorry to keep you. I was just going to have a shower," she said.