I have a date for Brunch this morning. But I don't know when!

My mobile rang yesterday, while I was in the car on my way home from shopping. My best friend, Esther, complained that we hadn't seen each other in weeks and would I like to go for Brunch ...
Well, of course I said yes.
Then she mentioned a time - half-something - and being in the car, I was unable to jot it down.

When the Swiss or Germans say half ten it is exactly an hour earlier, than when we Brits say half ten.
And that has been my problem since being on the continent ...
Someone will mention a time and I will promptly get it confused.
In my mind I immediately translate 'half ten' to 'nine thirty', but if I don't jot it down, I begin to ask myself 'did she say half ten or half nine?'
So now I have a time span from between 08:30 and 10:30 to go and meet Esther for brunch.
I can't phone her and ask, because she will sleep until the very last minute, jump under the shower and then into her car ...
... I'll either wake her or be too late anyway!

As I say - it has been like this for years. I was supposed to attend a very important dinner with customers once. My Boss said 'We have a table at half seven'.
I turned up at half seven. On the dot. I was proud of my punctuality.
Everyone was just finishing their meal!

It is just coming up to 09:00. I'm off now - wish me luck!