I had been lying awake in bed for quite some time, still with my eyes shut but aware of the light of the new day pervading through the curtains. My hopes of getting back to sleep again had long gone and instead of fretting I lay there, lovely and comfy in my soft cocoon of fresh white cotton, thinking about the past weekend. One day soon I’ll recount the tale of how Henry and I nearly didn’t make it to Gemma and Blake’s wedding on time (a journey into the unknown reaches over the border into New South Wales!) but I shall need a little more time for the telling than I have now. Suffice to say, Saturday was a day of both terror and delight for at least two people attending the sumptuous wedding.

So, as the sun gained strength outside, I thought about the wedding and then I thought about yesterday and my meeting with Jan and Neil at Birkdale – they are the lovely couple for whom I shall be house-sitting next week. I was thinking how pleasant it will be to stay there when suddenly… I heard the screech of brakes and a crash.

“Oh my God!” I shouted and jumped out of bed. I donned a pair of harem trousers and thong sandals, grabbed my mobile phone, met Lita on the landing, and I rushed down the stairs and out of the house (time was of the essence).

Sure enough, there at the busy intersection was an injured ute (one of those half car/half truck vehicles); happily the driver and had managed to get the ute off the road and onto the pavement.The other car was just around the corner and the two drivers were stood together talking. A young woman, dressed not dissimilarly to me, had arrived on the scene.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m okay,” he said and we all turned to look at his ute, which was smashed in the front and bleeding profusely.

“Want a cup of tea?” I offered.

“No, I’d better phone the police,” he said tapping at his phone and he smiled bravely, “I needed a day off anyway.”

The other chap smiled (he didn’t need a cup of tea either) and the pretty blonde said she’d like to go back to bed. I had long since given up any idea of going back to sleep, and now, after writing this, it really is time to get up!

(And here are a few shots of the blushing bride!)