Consideration for fellow human beings can be in short supply in Watford

However, when about to set off on a visit, we received a late call, postponing the meeting, so we were at a loose end while Watford was battling Leicester at Vicarage Road. We dropped into a pub, aware it would be crowded but knowing we would be able to sample the second half of a key match.

There was standing room available at the bar, but with Ellie having to walk with the aid of a stick, we were lucky to spot a couple of seats in the restaurant area, which provided a fine view of one of the large screens. We duly ordered a meal and enjoyed the second half with an uninterrupted view.

Then there was the classic denouement with Watford surviving a penalty and a follow-up shot before breaking away to score what proved to be the winner. Naturally everyone in the pub went ape but after the replays were shown and the pitch-invasion ended, a lady, who had a ringside seat and had risen in excitement to greet the winner, then moved from her seat and stood in the open doorway which had afforded us and others our view.

After a minute, I got up and asked her politely if she could just move a foot to the right. She seemed fazed by this request but then moved to the right and we saw the final moments of the action.

Our meal arrived and the television then featured Stoke City v Spurs, which I watched with half an eye.

It was a chance to relax before heading for our next appointment. It is not just us: our daughters in Dubai and near Barcelona love coming back to the UK but are exhausted by the constant round of visits and trips to see family and friends.

We were just about to leave when the lady, who had stood in the doorway briefly, came over to us.

“I don’t know what you said when you came over to me,” she explained.

I replied that I had asked her if she could move a foot to the right to which she replied, she was excited and overjoyed by events. I nodded understandingly and replied that is why I waited a couple of minutes before asking you to move a little to the right.

“Well, I didn’t hear your request,” she replied, “but had I done so I would not have moved.”

All of which seemed a trifle unnecessary to me, but I pointed out that we had enjoyed an uninterrupted view for all but the final minutes of the second half.

“Well I got here before the match started, as you should have done and then you would have had a decent view in there. You can’t just come in here and expect people to move for you,” she replied.

I could see that the fact she had moved to block my view for two minutes in 45 did not seem to mean anything. Apparently, having arrived there earlier gave her the right to walk about in front of other viewers. It was not as if I was asking to inconvenience her, just that she move back nearer where she had spent the previous two hours watching the match.

“So I would not have moved had I heard what you asked me,” she said, clearly outraged by the simple and fair request.

There are times when after the event you think of ripostes and replies and doubtless if the other people whose view she briefly blocked, were still there, they may have contributed and pointed out she was being a little selfish. But I don’t think it would have percolated through her indignation.

However, on reflection, I was happy with my spontaneous and unflustered reply.

“Thank you very much for your courtesy,” I said. “I hope you have a long life.”

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