aBigForehead

the cleaners that came round to strip the carpet of dirt(dog and otherwise) also broke my wardrobe.  Just to be clear- that wasn't part of the agreement.  Clean 2 carpets, remove dog hair and move on- that was the plan.

Whilst still there, one of the cleaners told me they didn't need to use a brush to remove the dog hair, that the machine was enough to take care of the problem.  I wondered what I'd paid the extra £10 for and made a mental note to contact their office if Icould be bothered.

The loud noise I had heard from the bedroom sounded like their wonder machine hiccupping hysterically.  When they put me through the ubiquitous before/after presentation highlighting what a good job they'd done, they left the door ajar.  I didn't think anything of it.  I slipped back into the living room, willing them to be quick so I could get back to work undisturbed.   Now I know they were hiding the hiccup aka wardrobe destruction.

I loved that wardobe. It was perfect for my many clothes- old and worn, new and unworn and those I live in too much to spend much time in a wardrobe.  I was looking forward to a fill-the-wardrobe Sunday.  I could walk into that wardrobe.  Walk. Into. It.  Carrie Bradshaw would have shrieked at its sight, devoted a column to it, 'Is a girl's wardobe her true sacred refuge?'.

No matter her.   I(capital, capital I) loved it. They'd broken it and there was no way of proving it.

Still I was aggrieved enough to pen a semi-snotty email querying the extra £10(now that I was bothered) and the conduct of the cleaners.   The email I got in response said the cleaners denied culpability(natch) and that I was NOT told on the phone that a brush would be used to remove dog hair as that is something they do NOT do.

Now I was hot and bothered.  In full snotty mode I replied.  How did she know I was NOT told that?  Was it she I had spoken to; did they record their calls and was lying to/about customers and breaking their sh*t(paraphrasing here) what they called customer service, then threatened to notify Trading Standards(whatever the hell they do).  Then I demanded she escalate the matter.

It took a while but I've finally received a response.  It sits in my Inbox to be opened on a particularly bad day so I may respond with venom.  It's all I can do so I'll give it my all.  The pen is mightier than a brawny, grumpy cleaner.

Life, in its humourous way(to somebody somewhere) had in the run-up to Wardrobe Gate brought 2 enthusiasts into my world, both cleaners, one may be a caretaker; one at work, one where I live- to cover all bases.   It was a curious matter at first, now a constant reminder that my wardrobe is kaput.  The guy at work  says special hellos(you'll know what I mean if you've ever been at the receiving end of any), stares after me and smiles like I've made his day.  The one in my building is  a little more...interactive.  I wish I'd never held the door for him that day weeks ago.  He wasted no time; got to give him credit, followed me out and said he'd never seen me there before.  I'm new I'd said.  I thought so he replied with confidence.

I(capital, capital,  CAPITAL I) don't think so, man.

He's stopped me in my tracks and asked after me a few times.  I'm never in the mood for boy-girl idle chit-chat.   When the carpet cleaners turned up, he was there again asking hadn't I gone to work that day.  I prefer they get to the point, ask for what they want/need and accept the response graciously. 

After a really busy day recently, with a heavy bag, laptop and shopping, I saw him from the corner of a tired eye and pretended not to have.  He stopped me with a Hi or a Hey or a Ho but he stopped me in heavy tracks.  What's the matter he said; you look down today. I'm just tried, that's all, it's been a long day.  Just make sure you take care of yourself, OK? Yes, thank you.

That mentally stopped me in my tracks.  He had a good reminder for me.  I tend to get careless with my self and can always do with that reminder.  For that I think I can overlook the boy-girl idle blah-blahs.

For a while at least.

The carpet cleaners, however, will get a hoovering.   Dyson style.