Was having a conversation with a mate about the various excuses we have heard from people we have managed over the years. Here's a few, what other have you had?

Girlfriend locked me in the house and took my keys with her.

Wife used all my petrol so had to leave car and get the bus.

I misread the rota.

My (insert any relative) took ill and I had to go and see them.

The bus was cancelled on my route.

My (insert any pet) was ill.

My parrot escaped.

I had the flu (for one day)

We had no hot water/heating so I couldn't shower.

My car was blocked in.

I stopped to help an OAP on the way to work.

While some of these may sound credible, some people amazingly had the same experience several times over the years :-)