9.08 am

When the phone rings before 9 am, it's usually because one of the boy's cooks has failed to show. He was tugging on his chef's pants and stuffing clothes for tonight in his bag almost before he had hung up the phone, then rushing out the door. I somewhat like when he leaves early because it gives me more time to get work done during the day, but the house is rather empty when it's only me here all day.