My husband left his medication at home, so I stopped by his office to bring it to him. But when I asked the receptionist to call him downstairs, she said, "Ma'am, your husband has been on leave for the past week."

I was at that reception desk at four minutes past nine with a coffee in each hand.

"Morning. I'm Emeric's wife — he left his medication at home. Could you let him know I'm down here?"

She typed. She was perfectly nice about it.

Then she looked at that screen for about four seconds longer than she needed to.

And then she looked at me.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Vance. Your husband's been on leave all week."

I could not say anything for about four seconds.

I did the smile. I said thank you, that's fine, I'll catch him later.

And I got out of that lobby and across that car park and into my own car before she could see what my face was doing.

And then the whole of it came at me at once, sitting in a car park at four minutes past nine with two coffees going cold in the cup holders.