The Leaky Overflow Pipe of Retribution

I feel bad when I don't post when I say I'm going to. It isn't that I imagine there are gillions of disappointed readers out there, holding their breath, slowly turning purple and falling over like a dance of dominoes. (Well, I imagine it, but I don't think it's all that likely.) And it's not just the manners of the thing.

It's the punishment clause. Not everyone knows about this, as it is in very tiny print, but if you say you're going to do something, and then don't do it, you get punished. This usually involves water or some sort of plumbing.

So, okay, I'm punished. Having half the lino up and not being able to get to the washing machine because the overflow pipe from the cistern of the toilet is, well, overflowing, is a clear sign to me that I'm in violation of the do-as-you-say clause. It's a fair cop, gov, as they say.

It's too late to apologize, I know, but I'm saying sorry anyway.

And if that keeps the other leak, the one in the kitchen ceiling, from getting any worse, I'll have got off lightly ...

Joan.