This is so crazy but true.

Way back then, in 1986, I bought a new suit, shoes [black patent with bows as was the vogue] and invested in a smart hairdo for my interview at what is now HMRC in Worcester. I wasn’t at all nervous, I never have been for interviews, and so I arrived at the offices fully prepared and ready for my grilling.

Whilst I had prepared for the interview, what I hadn’t prepared myself for was the huge car crash that took place outside the offices. Waiting in the reception area gathering my thoughts, I was confronted by the noise of a crash right outside the building. Without thinking, I raced outside to see a car upside down on the dual carriageway with its two occupants stranded in the seats and smoke pouring from the back end. I am not a first aider and so rather than try to help the people in the car, I ran back to the offices and demanded that they call an ambulance. Meanwhile, others attended the scene who had more medical experience than me so I returned to reception.

Looking down I saw that my shoes were filthy, covered in mud, as were my tights and skirt from where I had run through the mud. My hair was all over the place and the cup of tea that the receptionist brought me was rattling in the saucer as I tried to pick it up. I was a nervous wreck.

Fortunately, the interview panel knew all about the accident and my attempt at helping and after an hour calming down, I was called into a very successful interview and got the job!

And until today, I had forgotten all about it!