Confusion Reigns Supreme

Today was going to be just another day delivering groceries. Or so I thought as I made my way to work this morning.

I parked Grace up in the overflow car park and headed in to the office.

“What time do you start, Rob? ” asked the guy on greeting duty today. I told him half past six and he checked his list.

“OK, you’re on the pink list so you’ll be spare today, but check with the front desk if they have a route for you anyway.”

Spare again. Looks like I’m in for a morning of endless cups of coffee and a catch up on social media.

Half way through the second cup, a call came from afar. Our colleagues on the other side of London were running short of a few drivers. So one of my fellow drivers and I were sent on a trip around the Road to Hell to assist.

We set off line-astern, and at one point he was at least a half-mile ahead of me, but by some bizarre stroke of luck, that’s exactly how we arrived at Erith. Me directly behind him.

We were directed up to the office to be given our assignments for the morning. He was sent out on a re-delivery run of three drops and then back home.

They had nothing else planned for me, except to help out around the office where I could. In other words, a spare driver seconded to be a spare driver fifty miles from home. I’d have to hope someone in the area needed my assistance with their route.

Midday came, and I had helped bring in some new office furniture that had arrived at Reception, but with everything out on the road running smoothly, I was no longer needed so I bade my farewells and headed back toward the M25 and home.