A widower was left surprised after kind diners paid for his dinner when he turned up for his 86th birthday meal alone.
Bob Leigh headed to his favourite Italian restaurant, Caffé Caruso in Warrington, wearing his most loved suit on January 10.
The pensioner, whose wife died years ago, ordered a curry chicken pasta dish costing £13.70, two glasses of wine, pudding and an Irish coffee.
But when he went to dig out his wallet to pay for his £38 bill, the manager informed him that his tab had already been settled.
The former rugby league referee later discovered it was the friendly fellow customers on the neighbouring table who had paid for his bill.
Describing how he was ‘blown away by their kindness’, Mr Leigh shared that they were adamant about covering the tab despite his protesting.
‘They told me: “We’re paying for your meal”. They said they had talked about it among themselves and they wouldn’t take no for an answer,’ he told the BBC.
Bob Leigh (pictured) headed to his favourite Italian restaurant, Caffé Caruso, wearing his most loved suit on January 10
And when he went to dig out his wallet to pay for his £38 bill, the manager informed him that his tab had already been settled (Pictured: Caffé Caruso)
Mr Leigh was astounded by the token of gratitude and confessed that he never believed such an act would happen to him.
‘There is so much darkness in the world at the moment with Ukraine, Venezuela and Trump that it warms my heart,’ he added.
‘I am so grateful to them. I didn’t mention that my wife died a few years ago but when I got talking to a few of them at my end of the table, I did mention it was my birthday.’
A spokesperson for Caffé Caruso said: ‘It’s not the first time something like that has happened.
‘Sometimes people see someone dining alone, and then they pay for their meal.’
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Widower is surprised by diners in Italian restaurant after they paid for his 86th birthday meal when he showed up alone
Dining and Cooking