I called the taxi company when I finished my site work at Altona North.

“The next available taxi will pick you up in front of the property,” said Donna.

Twenty-five minutes later, I fumbled with my phone while holding an umbrella and called the taxi company again.

“I’ll get onto it,” Dierdre assured me. “I’ll keep an eye on your booking. The taxi should be there in 20 to 25 minutes. Give us a call if it’s not there.”

I waited 23 minutes. The wind had blown my umbrella inside out a few times already. I couldn’t wait the two minutes. I called again.

“Joan, is it?” Ahmad asked. “According to the queue, the driver has already picked someone up, I’m sorry. There’s another taxi in the northern suburbs. Do you mind holding? I can find out how far away he is… … … He’s 9 km away. If no one comes in 10 minutes, please call us back straight away.”

The taxi arrived after five minutes, three phone calls and an hour of misery.