A Surprise Connection

Alex is my neighbour. He repairs kidney machines for a living. He left Hungary and family as a boy, post ’56. A country lad at heart, who never went back.

 I asked if he could fix my car – battery drain

 Kidney machine, car – much the same?

 Sorted - short circuit.

 As a thank you I cooked him my best bigos (Polish stew). Alex took delivery on his doorstep.

 Polish food, Hungarian food – much the same?

 I swear I saw a lump in his throat, the merest hint of a tear in his eye:

 “My Polish grandmother used to cook this”