I received an email from my water supplier, last week.

“We recently read your water meter and your next bill is on its way, but we wanted to let you know in advance that the meter reading is significantly higher than expected.” it said.

Well, there’s something to look forward to, then.

But, why should it be so much higher than usual?

I went outside and checked my meter, knowing that there was no water usage in the house at the time.

Sure enough, the indicator was slowly turning, telling me that water was indeed flowing… albeit, slowly.

Up in the loft, I checked the tank. Before I even got to it, I could hear the trickling sound of water, indicating that the tank was still slowly filling up.

The ball valve seemed to be working, but was a little stiff and reluctant to completely shut off the water to the inlet.

So, yesterday, I fought my way through the usual endless traffic that always heads toward B&Q on a bright, sunny Sunday and I bought a new one – not from the aforementioned superstore, but from a little plumbing shop half a mile down the road from them: no queueing; easy parking; knowledgeable staff; they always have want I want and they are just as cheap or cheaper.

An hour later, it was fitted and now shuts off properly. And when I check the meter outside, there is no movement.

I don’t, for one minute, believe the dripping valve was the cause of my impending huge bill because all the water was contained within the tank but, once I’d found that it was dripping, I needed to fix it, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to sleep at night.

I await my water bill with interest… and impending gloom.