
So, you need a painter and decorator and you find one who wants to come and quote for the job: my entire flat, inside and out. He turns up punctually, is extremely pleasant and polite and you agree a figure (for cash, in this case) and a start and finish date. On the appointed day he turns up early, says he plans to work late and through the weekend. You give him the keys to your flat and clear off. Three days later he calls and says he expects to be done a day and a half early. He also replaces,unbidden, several light bulbs (very high ceilings), repairs a damaged blind and fixes a wobbly door handle. WHen you arrive at the flat you discover the job is completely IMMACULATE, he has cleared everything up, the place is spotless and when you come to pay him he declines the full amount on the grounds that he has finished early!!!
I am in AWE