I usually go to Ms F on Thursday's on my way home from work and I'm at the mercy of Elizabeth line. Today, only between Canary Wharf and Whitechapel I heard four messages like this:

"Ladies and gentlemen, apologies for the delay."

I was trapped underground for 40 minutes and couldn't call Ms F and tell her about the delay. I still wouldn't run that distance in less than 45 minutes, so I won't be complaining too much. Besides, I was trapped in a stuffed yet air-conditioned unit, which was a luxury in comparison to the sticky dense mugginess of the Central London air, heavy with upcoming rain. The rain and the thunderstorm came indeed when I went to do Ms F's groceries, but it didn't provide much relief from the humidity. Waitrose air-con did - a little bit.

I was taking my time in the chiller section, looking for cheese soufflés and calling Ms F to consult whether she prefers the organic butter or the unsalted butter as the combination of the above was sold out. The answer was none, which was maybe for the better, given it might have later melted in transit.

Today's shop was special for at least three reasons: speciality strawberries, a Belvoir ginger beer (in place of wine) and a foodbank donation Ms F wanted me to make on my behalf. Well done Ms F!

When I came back, Ms F treated me to a glass of water with ice and lemon, which was really nice of her, given the heat. I stayed for a chat and was astonished to hear Ms F thinks about me every time she gets up because at each shopping visit I make an observation about her recovery from her leg injury and tell her how much visible progress she had made.