I had a similar experience to Henry's when we booked him at South Tyne Folk and Blues which at that time met in the Turks Head, South Shields. Before the night began we sat chatting in the club room until I had to excuse myself as I had to nip to Shields Market Place bus stop to pick up my wife (then girlfriend) as the walk to the Turks was not entirely safe for a single female.
Peter was most alarmed as he thought that I was leaving the club and I too had to reassure him that I would be returning in a few minutes!
His worry and concern over lack of work was apparent around that time too.