Anyway Yours Truly is getting over a cold and so in "slightly irritable" mode.
I clean a group of compact 1930's bungalows and mock Tudor houses. In among these is one I never do (a small "Minger" Bungalow = SMB") and which has had new roof tiles and which has even more minging windows than normal.
A couple of years ago lady at SMB asks me to do her windows and I say I'm only taking on regular customers and it'll be £8 pcm/don't want regular, how much for one off?£16 as I'm here/too expensive/bye.
Two months ago my customer says her friend (the one who lives at SMB) is looking for a one off. I explain I only want regular customers and she persuades me to make an exception because her friend's husband isn't well and can't do them himself. (did he ever?
) I say Ok more to keep my custy happy than anyone living at SMB.
Last month SMB lady comes over while I'm working at her friends and I agree that I'll do them for £20 and she says fine but can I do them next time as her hubby's not well and she doesn't want him being disturbed. OK fine.
So today I knock on SMB's door and hubby comes to door (imagine the bearded henpecked born again husband "Peter Surname" from the couple in Come Fly With Me) and imperiously enquires "Yes!?" of me.
Me: "Hi, I'm Mrs H's window cleaner (gesturing over the road) ... last time your wife asked me to clean your windows next time I called as you've had a new roof."
Him: (guardedly) "You'll have to speak to her, she's not in."
Me: (positively chirpily) "I already have, she asked me to do them when I'm next in the area and here I am!"
Him: "You'll have to come back I haven't got any cash."
Me: (cheerily but with what I hope is a glint in my eye) "No problem a cheque is fine."
Him: "I haven't got any money in the bank."
Me: "OK, so perhaps you'll tell your wife she had better find someone else to clean her windows as I'm obviously being messed about now."
Him: (Mouth drops - then shuts - and as I turn and go) "You cheeky sod!"
Me: (Without turning around) "And good day to you sir!"
It's lovely not having to deal with people I don't want to deal with!