Today, I went to Slough again, a trip that involves travelling on a chunk of London’s Circle line.

Somewhere between Victoria and Paddington a very large, old, scabby, dirty and smelly tramp got on. He spent his time sat down, bent double, scratching.

We all looked on, appalled, leaving as much of a moat between us and him as the overcrowded carriage would allow.

As I got off, however, a young woman, anonymous in her bleached blonde bob, designer handbag and high street business suit, pressed a £10 note into his filthy hand.

As I followed her on to the platform, the tramp stirred, confused by the money.

I hope he realised what he had in his hand, and he exchanged it for something that brought some joy into his day.

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