February 15th was a bitterly cold day in Dublin. I walked down the road to Lidl in Ranelagh. Outside was a young guy collecting for a charity. He was So cold his hands were blue, and he was trying to keep himself warm by moving from foot to foot. I said I would get him a cup of tea – yes please, milk and two sugars. I crossed the road to Gammell’s deli and ordered his tea, plus a chocolate brownie. Mr. Gammell also threw in a custard slice.

Back at Lidl, his hands curled around the paper cup, and slowly came back to their natural colour. He beamed at the warmth of it.

Walking back up Ranelagh, I observed my friend rummaging in his bag of goodies, and delighted in his happy custardy face.