A BAD MORNING

Morning is not my favourite time. As anybody who knows me will tell you, I am not at my best before noon, and I am totally useless before ten. Unfortunately, the world does not work this way. When I first came to this part of the country, I negotiated an arrangement that would allow me to work from 10 till 6, rather than 9 to 5. Sadly, changes within the organisation have eroded this. People actually expect me to be bright and cheerful at nine in the morning! I cannot do this.

Yesterday morning, I had set my alarm in order to allow me to be at a particular place at 0900. This meant leaving home at 0800, and therefore being awake at 0700. I set my iPhone for 0630, 0645, and 0700. When I crawled out of bed at 0715, I thought it felt very cold. I was right. The boiler had locked out and there was no hot water.

Now, I am very sorry, but there is a limit to what I am prepared to put up with, and turning up for work unwashed and smelly was beyond that. I re-set the boiler and waited the 20 minutes necessary to ensure an at least tepid bath. I abandoned the hair wash.

I thought I had been totally reasonable. Sadly, others didn’t. I was castigated for being late. By this time I was cross. Actually, VERY CROSS. Am I being unreasonable? Given that I took this job on the understanding that I would normally work 10 till 6, is it unreasonable of me to expect that to be honoured? Apparently, the answer is yes, because I had nothing in writing. I am sad that we have reached the stage where we are not prepared to honour agreements made on a handshake. It seems to me to have been the essence of English honour. Forgive me – I am only a colonial.