Wrong House!

By Bob, Newcastle

This is an old story but I still cringe and yes I?m a tradesman but this was a LONG time ago! I worked for my dad as an apprentice when he ran the firm and we were gutting a small cottage and had tight deadline to complete while the owner was away. This place was in the middle of nowhere but dad had worked for the family for years and so we came to get this job. It meant a 4am start and I had been out and had a few too many on the Friday night and didn?t make it one morning and the old man was furious but I pledged to go on the Sunday and make up. I got there and couldn?t get in (we had the key) so I guessed he must have left out the back way and the front door had stayed bolted so I climbed over the fence and sure enough the back was open. So much for him I thought?wait till I tell him he left the back unlocked. I worked through solidly and pretty much cleared and prepared the kitchen and went home exhausted. Late that night (just before midnight) the police called to question me about the ?break in.? Id got the wrong house!!! The locals had seen the van and told the owners who told the police. They were actually very good about it when I look back but then they did get a brand new kitchen for nothing and I worked every weekend that year for nothing to pay for it?knowing that every blocked drain would be reserved for me!!