Friday 22 March 2013

The Ice Age Cometh

It is cold enough to snow but it won't.

The weather forecast includes severe weather warnings and we are all getting a bit on edge about whether to replenish the fossilised Kendal Mint Cake in the glove box of the car, pack an aluminium foil survival blanket, welly boots, least favourite in style but dispensable hat and a supply of screen wash.

I appreciate that some motorists are intensely nervous on the news of a cold front approaching and will take to heart the advice of the authorities not to make a journey unless it is absolutely necessary.

It is left to us and our conscience to decide whether a day at work qualifies for such prudent absence.

A few years ago one of my colleagues phoned in on a snowy morning to report that he was stranded at his home and would not be in that day, although he would gracefully and diligently review the situation on an hourly basis.

His, and mine, Superiors regarded this as perfectly reasonable and indeed were heard talking aloud that it displayed  responsibility, maturity and polite consideration.

The status of the employee, whom we referred to as 'The Golden Boy' was not under threat of contradiction.

This was apart from the fact that when the message was relayed to me I was just passing his house with only the faintest dusting of snow, or even just a hoary frost on the ground. His car on the driveway showed no signs of attempted movement or even scraping away of the thin layer of ice from the windscreen. Even though 10am in the morning the bedroom and downstairs curtains were firmly drawn.

I did not comment although I did catch a fearful expression on his face when, the next day upon his return to the office. he was looking at my job diary and realised that between my appointments at Place A and Place B I will surely have had to drive through his village.

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