Why did this not surprise me?

Thursday 8th September 2011

3.30pm and no Paul from Lloyd's with my prescription. Why did this not surprise me!!!

4.pm came and no Paul.

4.30pm came and guess what, no Paul.

As David Banner used to say in the Incredible Hulk, “don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry”, the Customer from Hell appeared!!!!

I rang Lloyd’s and demanded to speak to the manager. No offence to the other members of staff but they are not paid enough to be shouted at.

I told the manager exactly what had happened and that I was not happy. After putting me on hold she came back a few seconds later.

“I'm really sorry Mrs Harper”, she said, “I can't apologise enough about what has happened. I'll get Paul to deliver them in the morning.
“That's no good”, I replied, “I'm going to be out tomorrow so can't guarantee that I'll be in when Paul comes. Can my husband come and collect it now”.
“Of course”, she said.

Half an hour later John was back from Lloyd's.

“You're not going to believe this”, he said.
John explained that he told the assistant at Lloyds who he was and that he was there to pick up a prescription for me. The assistant had a good look around but couldn't find it.
“We mustn't have it”, she told John.
“That's impossible”, he replied, “my wife has just spoken to your manager and she said they were here to collect”.
“I'll have another look but can't see where they can be as I've checked the usual places”.
She came back to the counter and again said they were not there.
“This is ridiculous”, shouted John.

From the back of the pharmacy a woman dashed out and greeted John.
“MISTER Harper”, she said, “I'm the lady who spoke to your wife. I have her prescription ready for you to sign for”.

Unbelievable!!!!!

The Hand (Wo)Man again

*Apologies for there being no ‘Joint Journal’s for several weeks. A couple of days after I published the last entry my mam was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly died on March 7th.*


Tuesday 6th September 2011

Had another appointment to see the Hand (Wo)Man this morning.

“I'm afraid you will have to have surgery after all”, she announced, “because if you don't then you will lose muscle use in your thumb”.

“How bad will that be”, I asked.

“Bad”, she answered.

It never rains but it pours!!!

When we arrived home after being out for most of the day there was a message left on our answer machine. It was from Lloyd’s the chemist. They had lost the prescription script that had been sent over on Friday from my GP’s surgery. Why does that not surprise me?

I rang them back and they explained that not only had they lost my script but they couldn't find any of my details on their computer.

“You must have something”, I exclaimed, “as Paul automatically delivers my items every month”.
“All we can do is arrange another script from your GP”, said the little woman, “however that can't be done until tomorrow as it’s 4.45pm and the prescription line closed at 4”.

I let out a big sigh.

“It'll be ready on Thursday”, she said.
“Thursday”, I cried.
“It takes two days for your GP to arrange a script”, she replied.

As the Customer from Hell I know when to argue and when to simply let it go. The latter was appropriate for today.

“Can Paul deliver my items as normal”, I asked.
“Of course”, she said.

Why do I think I haven't heard the last of this.....?