From a distance we could see a baby’s head hanging loosely out of the back of its pram. Its mother, who was pushing the pram along the edge of the dual carriageway, obviously mistook our calls as friendly greetings when she responded with a cheery wave.

My friend was still doing all she could to repeat our warning that the child was about to tumble on to the road when I spotted our bus on the approach. I ran the last few metres to the bus stop and boarded the service, but my friend did not make it.

My mother was already on the bus, so I took the seat next to her. She told me that she was very excited to be heading for Haddington for the broadcast of Any questions, even though I pointed out to her that it looked like she was holding a forged audience ticket.

Unfortunately the BBC’s Chris Mason agreed with my assessment of the tiny scrunched up pellet of paper, and refused my mother entry at the door.