Welcome back, Dave.
I know well about monsters - or as I call them, night-demons - and having to fight them rather than work in the shop. On the other hand, sometimes the best way to fight them is to get into the shop and just do something. Anything. It doesn't matter what so long as it can take your mind away from them.
I agree with Marv in principle butr the other part of that is that a locked shop gathers no swarf. ;D
BEst regards,
Kludge