A Fresh Start

I was torn for a title for this post, hence the option above. You’ll see why.

In case you were wondering I did indeed return to the orifice yesterday and put in … ooh … almost seven hours. Felt extremely nervous all morning, calmed down by the afternoon and felt a lot better for having got that under my belt.

Everyone was so nice to me (except for Twiggy, who’d come up behind me without my realising and made me leap the height of myself just by gently placing her hand on my shoulder) that I decided they deserved a reward - hence the extra batch of scones that I baked last night. Boy oh boy, were they popular! Major kudos to Anni for that recipe.

The title dilemma’s still no clearer yet, is it? Trust me - all will become painfully clear all too soon.

I bumped into Stubby at lunchtime going into one of the banks just down the street from the office.

“I’m going to arrange a loan.”

“Are you?“, I asked, a little bemused why she was telling me this.

“To pay for the holiday you say you’re taking me away on.”

“Oh, right. Don’t bother - I’m loaded.¹”

Stubby came over to see me about a piece of work we’d been collaborating on before all the unpleasantness. Could I spare her five minutes before the end of the day and an hour or so tomorrow (it had to be tomorrow because she’s off on Friday and Monday)? Of course I could. Just before five, then, I meandered over to her desk and sat down.

“So, where are you off to this weekend?”

“I’m going away with you, of course.” she joked.

“Are you? That must be why I’m off on Monday too,” I chipped in.

We smiled at the continuation of our running “gag”.

“So, how are you?”

“Fine.”

“And your dog?”

“He’s fine.”

“And A_____?”

“He’s not too happy.”

“Oh dear.”

“We’re splitting up. He’s moving out at the weekend. I’ll be dogless²”

“Oh, I am sorry to hear that. I’ve put my foot in it³, haven’t I?”

“No, it’s ok. These things happen.”

“So … you’ll be single then⁴”

Why oh why couldn’t I have kept my mouth shut - at least until after the weekend!

¹ I’m not, of course, but I didn’t see the harm in a little white lie.
² Yes, she seemed more upset at losing the dog.
³ if you saw me you’d be impressed that I could fit my foot in my mouth too.
⁴ hence “Speaking Too Soon”.