It was good to discover that Ms M has moved from her previously noisy flat, and we had a lengthy doorstep catch up before she handed me her familiar trolley and neatly written list and I headed this time not to Tesco but to the welcoming aisles of the world's politest supermarket.

As I worked my way through her list, I did have a few moments of questioning whether what she'd requested was actually obtainable, but of course who am I to doubt the particular needs of the Waitrose shopper, and after (eventually - thank you assistant) finding the sliced butternut squash...I had a trolley full and was soon back at Ms M's door with her treasure and water.