What Is Going Around

Last updated: Sun, 27 Nov 2005 11:01:00 GMT

Also it is coming around!

Friday night, I stopped off at the DIY place on the way home, to pick up a bunch of stuff I know I'll need sooner or later in the completion of my kitchen renovations. Amongst the many large and awkward things I put into my trolley was the missing frame for the flat-pack cabinet that I need to house my refrigerator.

When I got to the tills the cashier, understandably, scanned all of my products in situ, rather than hefting them out one. As I leaned over to sign the credit card authorisation, I noticed that he'd forgotten to scan the largest item in the trolley -- that flat-pack frame. I quickly reasoned that they'd be hard pressed to accuse me of trying to steal it by walking out, given that I'd have needed a tarp to hide it. So I said nothing and I left. I had a giggle to myself as I drove home, having enlivened an otherwise dull day and saved myself £40.

On Saturday morning I awoke to find a letter from my mortgage company stating that they were concerned about my mortgage arrears. I'd always paid my mortgage by direct debit, and I'd never missed a payment. Well, not to my knowledge. It transpired that, in the process of closing my last bank account -- I'll not go into the problems I had with the Halifax bank because my arteries need no further stretching -- said direct debit had been cancelled without my knowledge, and I've effectively been one payment in arrears for the last six months. The mortgage company charged me £35 for the letter they sent and I started Saturday in a foul temper.

That'll teach me to sneer at karma.