Kindness DAY

Did doing good really reap rewards? Emma decided to give it a try

- Barbara Dynes

Emma, you must stay positive,' Kerry says. 'Something will turn up!'

I smile weakly. Nice of her to be so optimistic. Ever since I was made redundant from my admin job a while back, everyone has been so encouraging about my job prospects. Friends and family, Bob at the newsagent, Pam in the corner shop – optimists, one and all.

The trouble is, I'm more of a dreamer than an optimist. Especially now. In spite of returning applications galore, spending hours on the phone and scanning the internet till my eyes are sore, nothing ever 'turns up'.

However, it's lovely of Kerry to drop in today for a chat and a cuppa. When I was working, she would come in at lunchtimes to take my poodle, Lola, for walks. So we keep in touch.

'You're right, Kerry,' I answer. 'And I've actually had time to do chores, like clearing out cupboards and the garden.'

'The garden?' she queries, laughing. 'In November?'

I nod. 'The patch that came with this place was the reason I rented the flat. Gardening's my thing, I love it. I can always find something to do out there.'

I think back to the day after I was made redundant. Still feeling murderous, I went out and dug furiously, or tried to – the ground was as hard as concrete.

In my mind, I was burying all those reasons I had been given for getting rid of me – streamlining, staff efficiency... And it worked – half the garden got dug and I felt so much better afterwards!

Later, out with Lola, it's chilly and bleak; the park is deserted. Bare trees sway crazily in the cruel wind and I nearly get blown over. But I refuse to be downhearted. I think of Kerry's advice about being positive. Who knows, this could be the day! By that, I mean the day I get to meet and greet that guy who walks his beautiful brown bearded collie around the same time as I walk Lola.