You get back what you give!

Saturday, September 14 08

The clothes sculpture didn't end up on EBay. It ended up in the washing machine, textile bank and a charity shop. Miss Bennets numbers one, two and three were ecstatic to be reunited with long-forgotten coats, embracing them as if they were long-lost friends. But trouble struck when Miss Naomi Bennet inquired as to the whereabouts of her knitted furry lilac cardigan. Mrs Bennet, knowing full well that the said item was now tightly tucked up in a black plastic bag on a charity shop floor, decided to be truthful with her daughter, who hadn't worn it for well over a year.
"Oh, but that was my best cardigan and now I'll never ever wear it again!" declared the eldest Bennet, using all the dramatic gestures she could muster.
"But Naomi, you haven't worn it for at least a year," argued Mrs Bennet.
"That's because I couldn't find it and now you've got rid of it!" responded the daughter.
Mrs Bennet apologised profusely and tried to change the subject. The older three Bennets were about to walk into town with their mother with the view of spending book tokens they'd been given as presents. The twin Bennets had the exciting thrill of travelling to the tip with their father.
As Mrs Bennet marched down Stroud's High Street, she made a sudden veer to the right into the charity shop she'd taken part of the clothes sculpture to. Straight away she could see Miss Naomi Bennet's treasured cardigan hanging on a peg, wearing a £2.50 price tag.
She was prepared to buy back the mound of purple wool if she had to.
"I'm terribly sorry but I brought a big bag of clothes into your shop yesterday. Unfortunately my daughter here now wants her lilac cardigan back. It's here on this peg. I know it's ours because it's got a button missing," informed Mrs Bennet, pointing to the precious knitted piece.
She was half expecting the lady at the till to say she was sorry but she'd have to pay. But instead she replied: "Look we can't charge you for what is yours, so take it."
Miss Bennet was surprised and thrilled by her mother's efforts and bounced out of the shop, promising to wear her hand-knitted coat.
"It's true what they say .....you do get back what you give," smiled Mrs Bennet.