It was the final Saturday Pret pick-up mission, and like I had done many times over the past couple of months, I rocked up to Pret at 16:26, ready to collect for Bright Morning Star.

Alas, today was a different day. I waited with my bike patiently in the corner, wondering why the staff weren’t ushering everyone out like usual at half past. One of the colleagues came over and explained that they were closing at 17:30 today. Obviously I was a little irritated, as I there had been no communication. In fact, the website for said Pret even stated its closing was at five o’clock!? Pret lady was a little irritated too, as she only found out the closing times two days before, so there wasn’t much she could even do about it!

Ben had arrived by this point, who was the other GoodGymmer helping on the mission. The kind Pret lady gave us the option of just not worrying about collecting, but as we had agreed to do it for a charity, that wasn’t really an option. And the weather outside was a little chilly now the sun had gone in. She apologised again, and offered us hot drinks and said we could sit in the store for the next 45 minutes until closing. This was pret-tea kind of them, and we both sat around with our English breakfasts. Time went quickly and it was soon half past five.

Ready to go, and tea drunk, the team helped load us up with the few leftover sandwiches and salads, and some fruit pots, plus a plethora of pastries.

We whizzed down the Clapham Road to Lola’s house for our final delivery (later than expected) and she took the buns off our hands.

You can Pret that next time we’ll ring up before to confirm the stores closing times!!