Plumbing Problems ?

 few years ago, we  were replacing a hot water tank in the airing cupboard of a customer. There were two stop valves  to turn the water supply to the tank off. I said to my mate Barry “Water is turned off ,  cut the pipes and take the old cylinder out”I made two pencil marks on the pipes and told Barry to cut the pipes to the marks and take the tank out, while I went to get our pie and chips. Barry was very concious of the need to recycle copper; the proceeds we shared as scrap. For some reason only known to himself he cut  the first pipe above the stop valves that were turning the water off  and water gushed out of the pipe so he gallantly stuck his thumb in the pipe above his head to stop the flow , which trickled down his arm ,down his leg into his shoes..he decided to tap the pipes with a spanner to make the customer think he was WORKING! in the cupboard. I came back a bit later than expected ,stopped off at the bookies to put a bet on, and of course rescued the situation and Barry could take his thumb out .He forever told our mates that it was my fault and I was gone for hours.  I have to say self employed plumbing is not for everyone but for me and the lads who worked for me it was the best job ever.