A story I've only shared with friends.. Until now! 😂

There was a very frail old lady on the underground with a suitcase. I gave up my seat for her and she mumbled something quietly (I assumed "thanks").

She looks a little like this:

I was looking at her suitcase and noticed it had French writing and sights on it ("J'adore" and Eiffel Tower etc). I then noticed a Eurostar tag and put 2+2 together that she was a little French lady probably visiting from her chateaux in France.

I then realised just how far the tube station was to St Pancras and therefore decided that it was my gentlemanly duty to carry her bags to the platform for her. It would mean I may miss my train but some things are more important, right?

CRAP!! What if she can't speak English?!!.. She'll think I'm a lunatic!... Actually, no problem! Je know la petit Francais and I have google translate! The challenge is on!

So I furiously try and get what I want to say into Google translate whilst I have wifi at each tube stop.

Sorted! with just enough time to practice in my head (I have to sound proper, right?!)... I look at her bag again. Sure does look heavy... She looks at me and then clenches her bag. "Oh shit does she think that I'm going to try and rob her?!"...

We edge into Kings Cross/St Pancras Tube station and she gets up (slowly) this is it Andy!!! The moment you've been training for! (For a few stops)

I stand tall and clearly speak:

"Bonjour madame je peux porter votre sac pour vous ? Je suppose que vous allez St Pancras?"....

................

And nothing....

Just a very.... verrrrry puzzled look.

Ut oh... Andy you moron you've fucked it up. Ok plan B plan B!!.... English with a French accent!!:

"Woulda yooooou like moi to takeh your bag to thhhhhhe stayyshun madmoiselle? Sil vous plait?"

To which I was met with an even more puzzled look and a response of:

"No luv I'm go'in on the Northern line, but fanx and enjoy your stay in London, au revoir!"

she salutes

I did the only thing I could do to retain the remains of my dignity I had left...

I saluted back and said:

"Merci!!... au revoir! "

The morale of this story is don't judge a bag by its cover .