I went to collect my repeat prescription today, and it wasn't ready again.

I'm supposed to have it every 28 days, not every 29. As I told the pharmacist.

I've taken to ringing mine before I go to queue up. They know me now, so sometimes they'll ring me.

I did used to do that, but when the plague was raging, I could never get through, so I got out of the habit.

The first time they rang was to confirm it was ok to give a couple of my more exciting prescription meds to my son. I was very pleased with his initiative of insisting they did so there and then, but he probably only put such thought into it so he didn't get shouted at and sent back out.

Yesterday half of it was ready, and I went back for the other half today, and I took the precaution of inspecting the contents of the bag before leaving the pharmacy. I found they'd shorted me by 21 sachets, so I insisted on being supplied with the missing ones then and there.

Which they duly did, quite apologetically too.

Yes, I understand. The good manners of taking things on trust can't be afforded these days. You do sadly have to check in front of the person. Blank cigarette packets have forced me into doing so. I've been given B&H more than once and not noticed until I've got home.