I used to think that the pervading unluxury, which was not greatly alleviated in the chairman's sanctum, served the function of the disintegrating suit you wear on visits to the taxman: it made it harder to ask for another £25 advance when they couldn't even afford lino on the stairs.

I scabbed some money off a friend.

The last word of this sentence is bold.

This sort of relationship can improve quality of transportation and can help in negotiations between transportation providers and transportation product users.