As I set out from Parksville to visit my family in Brentwood Bay, the weather forecast was for heavy rain, but before I reached Nanaimo it was snowing heavily.

Weather reports on my car radio were warning everyone to stay off the Malahat so I decided to take the Mill Bay ferry across to Brentwood Bay. I arrived at the ferry terminal early for the next sailing and was first in line.

I got out of my car to check the fare rates and plastered in big letters was a sign saying “Cash Only.”

I had been on the B.C. Ferry website checking schedules and fares and nowhere did it mention this. I asked the young woman who had pulled up behind me if she knew of this policy — she said she did, because she travels this route often. I said I didn’t have cash and surely they would accept debit or credit, but she said she had seen people turned away quite a few times.

However, this young woman did not hesitate and gave me the cash for ferry fare and would not hear of my making any arrangements for repayment, and said: “Merry Christmas.”

Her name is Hilary and she is from Duncan and she restored my faith in human nature. I will tell this story every Christmas from now on.

Rita Goudie

Parksville

© Copyright 2013