I've been on the Isle of Wight this weekend for a family wedding. We were staying in a premier inn. We went out to lunch just prior to getting back on the ferry to come home, only for my debit card to be declined in the pub we'd chosen to eat in (family friendly, lovely pub, been there before). I phoned my bank from the pub car park (no signal) to find out what was happening as there should have been plenty in the account.
Turns out the premier inn had taken payment for our room multiple times, completely clearing the account out. I apologised to the manager, explained the situation and paid for the drinks that had already been poured with the last £5 I had in my purse. We sat down to drink them and were about to leave when the manager comes over, says she can't bear to see the kids go without and offers us a lunch for free to share amongst the kids.
What a lovely, generous thing to do. I felt really bad about accepting but the kids were just so hungry. I couldn't stop thanking her and they even gave the kids little toys when we were leaving too!
Now, I fully intend to send a card to say thank you and a box of choccies to say thank you, as generosity like this needs to be acknowledged. However I'm wondering whether I should maybe pop a cheque in the card to pay for the meal? It was given freely with no expectation of payment and I'd hate to offend and I don't know whether sending a cheque would offend her?
So WWYD?