The opposite of me

This is Billy. I pass him most days on my way to work.

It all started when he approached me and asked what I was "deein teking a pictcha of the pavement?"

Over the last month or so we have struck up a relationship where I am greeted with, "here's David Bailey again."

He's 56 and has been living rough for the last 10 years since his wife passed on. Now in a hostel he is kicked out every morning at 7.30am and he has to roam the streets until he is allowed back in around 8.30pm

I haven't found out what his life used to be but I feel that the "system" has somehow let him down big style. He has a certain dignified air about him and for someone who seems to have lost everything he never seems bitter about things.

Whilst I appear to have the things he doesn't, work, money, family and a place to call home, I'm not so sure my life is any richer.

Today I asked him if I could take his picture and the reply was, "Aye, but divvint show me face incase the dole thinks I'm earning from doing modeling work!"

Thanks Billy you made my day start with a smile.