The freezing ride

There are rough sleepers huddled up in blankets, enduring the freezing cold on the streets of Salford, Manchester. It is now well into the new year, the end of January. It is nearing four o'clock in the morning.

A rough sleeper calls to another rough sleeper from across the road: "You're being selfish, mate! Give us a couple of your blankets, please. Someone 'ere 'asn't got one"!
The rough sleeper responds wordlessly by leaving two blankets, as requested. There are cries of "Thanks, mate" in response.
Steve, the donor of the blankets, is awaiting his parents. One of the other rough sleepers comes over to Steve and offers him a hamburger, as a gesture of thanks.
Steve replies: "Thanks mate, you keep it. You'll want it later on. I'm waiting for me mum and dad to pick me up. I can't take the cold weather any more. I want me warm bed, thanks though, mate".

Steve's parents drive by at 6 o'clock in the morning. Steve hears the van's horn, leaving his blankets behind in a bundle. His mum calls out: "No Steve, keep the blankets. it's freezing in 'ere"!
Steve picks up the blankets and runs over to the van. They head back to London.

Steve's mum, Samantha, gives him a fried egg sandwich and a cup of tea from her flask. He is extremely grateful. She is wrapped in a tartan blanket, while Steve's dad, Roger, is driving the van while wearing a heavy leather jacket.

Samantha says: "When we get 'ome, the flat will be nice and warm. We 'ad a feeling you'd ring". Steve looks down, weeping: "I couldn't take homelessness anymore".
Roger replies: "Cheer up. You still have your job at the store. We told your line manager that you went on a break with your friends. You rang us in the nick of time".
Steve says: "oh thank heavens". He reflects on his motives for going on the streets and says that he feels very stupid about it.

They reach London, Victoria and the freezing ride ceases. When they get back into their flat, Samantha insists Steve has a nice, hot bath before he goes to bed.
Steve is home.