I always say hello and nine times out of ten I get a response. I feel better and I feel they do too.

One of them (once an addict now running our community gardens) stopped one day for a chat.

"These are for you," he says, holding out two bunches of flowers.

I protest.

"I get a couple of bunches when I finish my shifts on Sundays, and I give them to someone who deserves them. Today that's you."

I don't know which of us was more chuffed.