Well, this is what happened. I chose a company and booked the service,
"Would you like the engineer to phone 30 minutes before he will arrive?", said the helpful lady on the phone. Useful service, I thought - I can make sure that everything is ready for him.
Took the morning off work and mowed the lawn while I waited, leaving a note on the front door. Came back in the house and found a missed call, so I dialed 1471 and phoned the caller back.
"Ah, we couldn't raise you," said the engineer, "so we went on to the next job",
"But I was in all morning", I said.
"You asked us to phone, though," he said.
"I was in the garden - sorry".
The chap seemed friendly when he arrived.
"Lovely day," he said, 'Nice day to be IN THE GARDEN"
I showed him the boiler and timer for central heating and hot water.
"The thermostat's next door," I said, "I'll be upstairs".
He serviced the boiler, and called me down.
"Is there any power to this boiler?" he asked
"It's a constant supply isn't it?" I said, "You want it to light?"
"Yes," he said.
"Try the thermostat," I suggested.
And that was that. He left with a parting shot,
"Going back IN THE GARDEN, then?"