Caught up in the airport meltdowns of the UK half term/Jubilee break I find myself stranded in an empty Stansted airport car park after dark. I need to cross London pronto - to connect with a young nephew waiting on me in Gatwick.

My 3 hours flight delay means it's 10.30pm. I’ve missed the last Gatwick Express and, for some unknown reason, the bank has declined my Uber payment – both cards!

Turning 'round I ask a young couple crossing the empty car park whether they know where to go for taxi pick-ups at Stansted?

Unsure, he suggests I go to the airport entrance. Then she says...

‘You can’t go walking over there in the dark on your own. Come back to our house and we’ll organise an Uber from there – it’ll be cheaper.’

‘Where’s your house?’

‘Alexandra Palace' - i.e the area, not the Palace! I've no clue where that is.

I'm gobsmacked!

‘That’s a VERY generous offer!’

‘You’re Irish... I’m Irish... the Irish help the Irish… You’d do the same.’ she adds. 

Piling my stuff into their boot we weave our way through the Wood Green and Walthamstow high streets, eventually pulling up at their door about 11.30pm.

They’ve been over to Northern Ireland on a one-day trip. Turns out Michelle’s from County Meath, an Intensive Care Sister in the Royal Free. Jon’s a singer/guitarist originally from Devon.

Despite being exhausted she puts on the kettle, and sets out a plate of biscuits. Fumbling with my phone I’m not sure whether I’ve managed to book an Uber or not.

Next thing he whips out his phone and books me an Uber on HIS account. I immediately say I'll reimburse him in the morning and he gives me his bank details. 

A minute later I’m zipping off in my Uber, arriving at Gatwick 2 hours later – God, London is BIG. You can only imagine the fare.

Piling into bed at 2am I check my messages only to find I've missed an authorisation text from my bank. Next morning a second says that because I didn’t reply to the first, the bank has blocked my cards.

It dawns on me that had this kind couple not acted so spontaneously, generously, and with such trust to help me, I’d have spent the night wandering around an empty Stansted carpark leaving my nephew on his own in Gatwick.

Jon Allen and Michelle are back in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 15th June at 7pm. He's performing at Belfast’s Black Box.

If you happen to be in Belfast this Wednesday evening, are looking for a cool night out AND would like to support two amazingly impressive people, here is your chance.

Struck down with Covid over the past 10 days, a little thing I picked in London, I am SO SO sorry not to be able to join them.

You'll find the link to Jon's concert below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jon-allen-live-at-the-black-boxgreen-room-tickets-272839158267