Shaken and stirred by a surprise guest

Many years ago, I had to travel to normandy to inspect some equipment that was being manufactured for my company. a telex was sent to the hotel in the village near the factory, explaining I would be arriving at 11.30pm for a two-night stay. Confirmation of the booking was received. It was a long, tiring journey and I arrived at the hotel around 11.45pm. The building was in darkness with the front door locked. no one came, despite me knocking. There was a security keypad next to the door and, in frustration, I punched in some random numbers. Bingo — the door clicked open and I was in. I was on a roll, so I looked at what room keys were left on the board at reception. I selected room 30 and wrote a message for the receptionist, explaining what I had done, and went upstairs. The light switches hardly gave me time to walk down the corridor before they went out, but I managed to find room 30. It was small and basic, with the appearance of emergency accommodation. not for me. So I went back to reception and selected another key, modifying my message to room 27. This time I found a lovely room. I collapsed into the bed. Just before I dropped off, I wondered if I was in the right hotel, but sleep quickly overtook me. The next morning there was still no one at reception. I breezed into the dining room and ordered petit dejeuner. as I was eating, a fretful-looking lady approached my table and said: ‘Bonjour, Monsieur Jzones, I am so sorry — I completely forgot you were coming so I locked up. I live just a block away. How did you get into ze ’otel? you are so clever —you even picked ze room I had reserved for you.’ I tried not to look too James Bondish and said it had all ended OK. She said: ‘When you dine tonight, ze drinks will be on ze ’otel.’ That evening I saw her and the chef peering through the oval window of the kitchen door. She was pointing me out to him — he probably thought I was more of a Houdini than James Bond. When I got back home and related the story to my wife, she said: ‘I bet the first thing she did when you drove off was change the door security code!’

Eric Jones, Sutton Coldfield, W. Mids.