Pushkin

It was Friday the 13th and some people would have expected Badluck.

Susie Hall didn't.

She knew of course that life could deal out some hard knocks, a decade before when she was 28.

She was attacked in the street in her home city of Edinburgh by three men who took her purse,

her car and her peace of mind.

Now in her late 30s she was still being treated for depression and anxiety, trying to keep it all together as the single mother of two young children.

But Susie was determined to make the most of things.

She was studying law. She knew that could be a pathway to a steady, well-paid job.

And she had a side hustle.

She worked as a sales agent for a company called Fairpack.

It was a Christmas savings club.

People would save a little money each week with Fairpack, prudently planning for the expenses of the holiday season.

And then, a few weeks before Christmas, a year of thrift would be rewarded.

Fairpack would send out vouchers, Christmas handpests and gifts.

Fairpack's customers didn't have to worry about how they'd pay for seasonal gifts and treats.

They didn't stretch themselves with credit cards or payday loans.

It was all taken care of.

Fairpack was a word of mouth business.

Agents such as Susie Hall would save up themselves.

But they'd also go around collecting money from colleagues, friends and family.

Everyone was saving together.

...