I knew it wouldn't be long enough

I knew as soon as he walked in.

Back in May we had a leaking roof window.  It stopped leaking, but then the motor that opens and closes it failed.  It's been stuck open for about 3 months.  We reported it.  We reported again when the temperature drops and we're sitting watching TV with our coats on.

About a month ago, 2 maintenance men came to have a look.  There was much scratching of heads and sucking of teeth.  Can't be fixed from the outside, so they'll need a ladder.  A long one.

They figure that they can't manipulate the long ladder through the hall doorway, so they'll have to take out a window that looks directly into the living room.  That needs a budget and approval.  

They finally get approval, but when they arrive, they march straight through the front door with this ladder in sections.  No window to be removed?  What about the long ladder?  (This looks too short to me.)

Eventually it dawns on them that it's too short:  
"We could balance it on a box or something"
" NO" we shout.

"We'll need the long ladder."  
"Do you have it?"  
"No - it's in Bicester."  
"So when can you fix it?"  
"We'll let you know."

I get our coats.