Your tale reminds me of the recent experience with my Westy. it failed the
initial safety inspection with among other needs, needing new rear brakes. I
hadn't noticed this because the pedal engage brakes nicely near the top and
the front brakes do most of the real braking...

So I get the work done and I'm driving it back put my foot on the brake pedal
and get that nice mushy feel as it goes all the way to the floor. Not to
panic, I was taught how to drive in the good old days before ABS, so I pump
the pedal and get plenty of braking action. Took a few turns and back ups
before the "self adjusting" brakes finished adjusting.

Always a bit of an experience though. :)