Sad sign of the times

[Eve]

Came across a young lad on the way back home from the station earlier, passed half 7 in monsoon like weather in the city centre. I was sheltering hoping for a break to get a taxi home when he asked me for the time and whether I had any credit as he needed to phone his mum.

Being cautious I asked him a few (kind) questions and asked him to give me the number for me to dial then I held it to his ear when someone picked up (said mum didn't speak English). He was heading back to Moss Side on the same bus as me so got the bus too and kept and eye on him to make sure he got back safe. Poor thing was soaked, said he was 13 but looked younger, said his friends had left him.

So sad I had to be so cautious but you just never know these days. Was a bit worried when he wanted to use my phone but what do you do, risk leaving a child stuck?

[sherrardk]

That was very kind of you but you are right to be wary, it could have been a scam to set you up in some way.

[Psybbo]

You are a lovely caring person and very brave, well done, so many would have ignored him

[askyourgran]

You did the right thing Jenna, he must have run out of money or been robbed, usually youngsters carry a phone to keep in touch. It would have probably bothered you all night if you hadn't helped him.

[Purple_Popple]

Your concern does you great credit Jenna. Many people these days are reluctant to help or get involved in case of repercussions, possible crime etc. Life is a risk. I gave a lift to a stranded teenage girl a few years ago, she was 13 and I drove past her and noticed she was sat on roadside verge crying. I turned around and asked if she was ok, she said shed argued with her mum who'd left her there, I offered to take her straight home, which I did.

[excelsior-1]

Jenna.
you did the right thing in controlling the situation - not just handing your phone over, but keeping hold of it,as he could have been the type who ran off with it.
and then seeing him safely home on the bus.

you can be proud of your 'good samaritan' actions this evening.

[Eve]

Ahh, thanks all, I couldn't have just left him. Just a shame you have to be so cautious about things these days. I did explain to him why once we were on the bus and he was fine about the whole thing, just glad to be getting out the rain and back home to his mum I think.

Not nice weather to be out, was sheet rain and I got soaked, got in and had to put my shoes in the tumble dryer and hang my jeans up to try, just warmed up with a bowl of soup. Very glad to be back home and dry.

[Stephen_G]

Try and remember the 0800 reverse (0800 7383773) number - you dial that and then the number you want to call. Speak your name so the person answering knows who it is and it should connect.

I doubt I would have been as charitable.

[marval]

Good for you.

[lcg]

well done, jenna. that was really kind of you - i can't believe his 'friends' left him! at least you did do something to help. on the way home from work last week, i paid for a lad to get home from school as he had lost his bus pass and had no money. it was also tipping down and he was soaked. poor thing had tried to start walking home, but it was far too wet. my son went to the same school and he was able to describe the correct route for the school bus, so i helped him out. it's little acts of kindness like this that make the world a slightly better place x