Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fiver repaid after 50 years… with interest
from a game of poker or a successful visit to the White City greyhounds.
“As our pay at the time was four pound ten shillings plus an extra eight shillings a week for jumping out of planes, you can imagine what the ten pounds he lent me meant at the time.
“I managed to repay Vic half of what I owed him then, leaving a fiver to be repaid at a later date. Time marched on and as often happens between good mates we lost touch with each other.”
Mr Keegan, who has lived in Sydney since 1973, said that the £5 debt often plagued his mind. He explains: “Many is the time I woke worrying about owing a good mate a loan given without hesitation when I most needed it.”
Mr Keegan adds that it was lovely hearing from Mr Allin again.
“What a wonderful surprise it was to be back in touch after what proved to be over half a century.
“We have stayed in touch since and I am looking forward to shaking his hand when I visit him and his wife later this month whilst on my way to Paris.
“The idea of facing him still owing him a fiver was too embarrassing, so I decided to repay him with interest before I arrived in Ashford.
“Imagine my surprise when I worked out that five pounds at compound interest over the time meant I had to repay Vic one hundred and seventy pounds and seventy five pence!
“I suppose the moral of the story is, don’t wait 50 years to repay an old mate a fiver!”
Mr Allin says he will spend his interest on a nice meal out for the three of them at the Eastwell Manor Hotel.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to seeing him. It is an exciting time. It will probably be the one and only time we see each other again. The cheque was a by-product really, the best thing is that we’re now back in touch.”
Has anyone ever paid you back some money years later? If so write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk