The plumber called at 1:30.

Said he was running late. (NO FAKE.)

Said he'd call when he finished the job he had just started.

It is quarter to 4. He hasn't called. I think I can reasonably assume he won't call today.

I despair of ever having hot water again.

I cannot - I WILL not - cancel classes tomorrow just to wait on a plumber who might never come. I have two students who were ill and need to take a make-up quiz. I am not going to screw them out of that. I am not going to screw my students taking a Friday exam out of their review session.

(Shoot. He just called. He's on his way into town. I don't think this bodes well for me getting the heater tonight but at least talking to him in person will mean that I can impress upon him the fact that I can not merrily sit at home with my thumb up my backside for days and days, that I have responsibilities).

I still despair of ever having hot water again; I fear there's going to be some giant huge code violation that he can't fix, or the pipes and spacing will be the wrong size to accommodate a modern heater or something. Because I can't believe that having come through so much frustration that it will end well.

One thing I have learned? Never, ever, ever, ever accept an afternoon appointment - never accept less than the first appointment of the day - from a workman if you can at all swing it. Because it seems everything takes far longer than it's supposed to.