With all the brushing action and Taylor’s suctioning power, it takes us forty minutes to end up with a damp, rather than wet, puddle-free floor. The old floor tiles were at least sealed, but it’s going to take a while to dry it out completely.

Bastien opens the windows wide and we can at last stand back and appraise the situation.

‘Everything we need to serve lunch is now on the table. Fern, can you tell everyone to give us half an hour? The day room is fine, just a little soggy in the doorway. Dee-Dee, if we can drag these wet things out into the garden, that will help.’

‘Great teamwork, everyone,’ Margot acknowledges, gratefully. ‘My skirt is soaking wet and my feet are like ice!’ She laughs.

Kellie heads off to the laundry room to find some towels for Margot. I text Nico as I head back to the gym, to make him aware that lunch is slightly delayed. My shoes are squelching as I walk, so I push open the door and lean in.

‘Sorry, guys. Another half an hour and lunch will be ready. I have to go and get some dry shoes, see you all in a bit.’

I wish I could say I’m sorry to have missed the end of the exercise, but the truth is that I was way outside my comfort zone with it. For some reason I can’t even begin to explain, I didn’t want to read what was written on my sheet while everyone was watching my reaction. Saved by a burst pipe. It must be my lucky day.

‘Fern, I have something for you,’ Pierce calls out, slipping his backpack off his shoulder to unzip it.

I stop and turn. We’ve just waved off the coach and because of the upheaval this morning, a late lunch turned into an afternoon of chatting and general socialising.

‘It’s your piece of paper,’ he says, holding it out to me. ‘I thought you might like to read the comments. It was obvious you weren’t very comfortable and I’m sorry if I misjudged the situation. I’d rather hoped you’d find it a positive experience, but it isn’t right for everyone. When you have a quiet moment, take a look. It sends a very powerful message and I’ve seen a lot of these over the years, enough to know this one is rather special. Anyway, thanks, Fern. Your help this week has been much appreciated, as usual.’

I watch as he walks off across the courtyard. Staring at the paper in front of me, I have no desire to unfold it. Some people love feedback; I’d rather not know what people think about me. I know I’m not perfect. I know I worry too much. I’ll never change, because it’s who I am.