Midway through getting Ms D's items scanned and bagged, I noticed the attention of the friendly checkout lady turn to whatever was happening outside, followed quickly by a rather loud "wow"...the heavens had truly opened and the equivalent of an Edgware Road torrential monsoon was flooding the pavement outside. A few brave souls were risking it and getting very wet in the process, but everyone else was now congregating near the exit, like an audience watching something unusual slowly unfold in front of their eyes.

At some point I had to make a run for it - and so judging that it had "eased off a little", and with umbrella in one hand and Ms D's shopping in my arms to try and avoid it getting drenched, I made the long dash for her front door...drowned rat doesn't even come close.