It was their mistake, but I should have thought of it earlier, especially since I was the one who would suffer as a result. By the time that I returned to the café H and K had already left. They had remembered to leave my papers for me on the table, but forgotten that my suitcase was still in their car. I would have to phone them to ask them to turn around and bring back my belongings. It was essential that I recovered my soap bag before my work trip next week.

My next problem was that I did not have their number. Then I remembered that K worked for KPMG. I couldn’t get through to Directory Enquiries so instead I walked into South Queensferry where I hoped to find a bank and a friendly clerk who would look up the number for me. The full reality of banking hours in provincial towns hit me as I checked the notices along the high street. There were plenty of banks and building societies here, but not a single one was open. To get any help, I’d have to come back on a Tuesday between 1 and 2pm.