The Humans and The Tortoise (A modern fable)

Another  hot day, the hottest of the year (32.6 C at Wisley), and an extra busy one, too, for us with our guests. (My sisters.) 
This morning, Alison and Peter were due to fly to Amsterdam, for a few days, from Southampton airport.  Unfortunately, Alison  felt unwell during the night and really wasn't up to flying at 9.30am. So, Peter decided to fly alone, in the hope  she would be able to join him later. Miraculously, she did recover very swiftly,( she suspects some kind of food intolerance as the cause, as  she has  occasionally experienced a similar episode ) and by lunch time had booked herself  ( at great expense!) on another flight at 5.20pm.
Meanwhile, my other sister, Christine, made  a day trip to Harrow, to visit our sick aunt, and to meet her palliative  care nurse. She had tricky journeys due to a broken down train on the out journey and signalling  problems on the return journey. However, she  said it was a very worthwhile day, and they had discussed a lot of important  matters with the nurse. 
So, throughout the day, Martin and I were providing  taxi services to the  station  and airport, and visiting  the  laundrette again! We were  supposed to be preparing for our holiday next  week!
Wisely,  Peter, aka Stormin' Norman,  was enjoying  the sunshine, and tucking into juicy Sedum leaves and wild strawberries. In true tortoise style, there was no rushing around for him!