The journey begins

The long wait at Manchester Airport having checked in 3 hours before the flight. We had been up since 5.15 in the morning. The sound of the phone woke us up. Who could be ringing us at such an ungodly hour?
"Hello"
"Hello this is Rob here. Aren't you supposed to be going to Australia today?"
"Yes this evening"
Silence.
I looked out of the window. The taxi is sitting outside.
"You said your plane left at 8.50"
" Yes this evening"
" Oh I work on a 24hour clock. See you later.
Not the start we wanted that day.