In a Day

On the same morning that a creep throws coffee on her at a bus stop. Ashley runs into Michael, a man she recognizes as a regular at the sandwich shop where she works. He offers to help – dry her off, cheer her up, and after hesitation, she agrees to join him for a cup of tea. He offers to take her to lunch, asks her advice about a gift for his sister, and so on through the day, finding ways to treat her royally. By mid-afternoon he confesses that someone wants her to have the best possible day. Who is it, and why? And, when he does tell her, how will she respond? —