A bag of body shop goodies and a tale to make us proud

Any single parent who has travelled for more than an hour with young children (whether by plane, train or automobile) knows that it can be especially arduous, even tortuous, at times. My first son has always been a great travelling companion but, alas, this is not a genetic trait! His younger brother keeps us busy en route to anywhere.

I share all this with you dear readers by way of providing a backdrop to what transpired prior to our flight and upon our arrival in Trinidad. During the obligatory ritual of packing, unpacking and repacking in preparation for our time away, I was asked by a friend to take a bag of goodies to Trinidad for a friend of hers. Having agreed to the little courier favour, I subsequently discovered that the confounded bag would not fit comfortably in any of the cases and that I would have to hold it as extra hand luggage.

Worries about leaving it on the train/at the airport/on the plane bubbled to the surface of my mind whenever I remembered leaving an original oil painting at the airport in Sao Paulo in January.

Joyous relief was mine when the children, the goodies and I all arrived safely in Tobago where we spent two wonderful days with good friends in Plymouth.

We set sail on the Lynx (partly fiscal management, partly more fun for the boys) which I really rate as a great mode of transport between our beloved isles (films shown should me more family oriented though!).

The goodies bag definitely set sail with us and was guarded closely during the pleasant two hour journey.

Reader, have you noticed how misfortune manages somehow to worm its way through even the tightest of contented spaces? By the time we arrived at our destination in Trinidad, you can guess the rest . . . The bag was nowhere to be found! I was flabbergasted and more than a little frustrated. So much care had been lavished on the blasted thing! Where could it have gone?

Family and friends tried to comfort me with sensitive words like” “Well yuh know dat gorne!”/“Somebody moisturising their skin now!”

Upon return to London in March I woefully apologised to my friend who was comforting, gracious and understanding. The sorry matter was diplomatically (her side) and desperately (my side) laid to rest.

Reader, have you noticed how surreptitiously serendipity lays its gentle hands on us at times? Two nights ago I received a call from my friend who informed me that she had just received a call from Trinidad.

Some lovely Trinidadian lady had found the bag (I know not where) and had discovered my friend’s telephone number inside hence the call. Arrangements were then made for the original recipient to be contacted and the rest as they say is happy history! I have felt obliged to share this tale with you because I feel that as Trinbagonians who often (and with reason) lament the decline of decent values in our society, it’s heartening to be reminded that there are many of us who effortlessly retain positive and valuable traits like honesty and kindness. My thanks to the lady who gave a happy ending to the “goodies” tale.