Fast track

Highlight of the day - and possibly the week - was hitting Argos for a new cover for my ironing board. I also invested in a hand-held vacuum cleaner as that has to be easier than wrestling with a larger one on the stairs when I give them the annual going over.

The voice announced that my stuff was ready for collection but as I approached the counter it was clear that the lady serving was struggling to keep up. When she got to me I asked why the announcement was obviously well ahead of reality. She told me that it's automated and gauges when the stuff should be ready rather than the reality of where she's at. Taylorism red in tooth and claw.