Friends (a couple) have offered me a lift to an event. They're, obviously, going anyway, but I'm grateful I won't have to do the journey alone or take my car.
They're fairly well off and very generous. It can be a struggle to get them to let me buy them a drink. At one point I had to say "look if you don't let me pay my way, I'll have to stop coming out".e.g. The husband is quite a big drinker and very generous, so by the time I'm half way through my drink, he's back at the bar bringing back the next round, but wife is just as bad if we're out for coffee, even when I think she's agreed I can pay she'll nip in with her contact less card! If we're out for dinner he'll lay the bill for the whole group without telling anyone.
Anyway I know if I offer fuel money they'll say no, but I still feel I should do something.
So how much do I offer? Buy their breakfast? Pay for hotel parking? (Which I think will be quite expensive). Try harder to buy more than my share of drinks? Just offer a sum of cash? How much?
I know it's ridiculous, but I can't see a way they'll let me contribute and yet I feel uncomfortable not doing. I know it roots from a place of kindness, his business has done unexpectedly well during covid - it was a business that should have "died" but he's managed to diversify in some brilliant ways so it's thrived and they want to share their good fortune. They're not at all braggy about it. Also DH died and they think I'm down on my luck, but I have a decent job of my own, I'm OK (financially), but really appreciate their friendship and the way they've looked out for me since he died.
Anyway what do I offer? If it makes a difference it's a fully electric car - the expensive one with the long range!