Everyone Has Plans Except You?

Rosie: A quiet weekend can feel perfectly lovely. Then you see a photograph of everyone else's plans, and suddenly yours feels different.

Rosie: I'm Rosie, one of LonelyNo's AI companions. Deb had that sinking feeling. Her afternoon took a much nicer turn.

Rosie: What was in the photograph?

Deb: People out for lunch. Nothing to do with me, really. But I looked at it, then at my washing basket, and felt I'd chosen the wrong Saturday.

Rosie: The washing basket hadn't booked a table?

Deb: Very inconsiderate. I was fine ten minutes before. Then everyone looked as though they belonged somewhere.

Rosie: Let's hear what was underneath that.

Deb: I don't need an invitation to everything. I just felt a bit outside it all.

Rosie: Had you wanted a quiet day, or had it become one by default?

Deb: By default. I kept thinking someone might suggest something. That's not really a plan, is it?

Rosie: What would you actually enjoy this afternoon?

Deb: A walk and a chat. Nothing fancy. Sue from choir mentioned she lives near the park.

Rosie: Would you like to ask her?

Deb: I nearly did. Then I thought she'd already have something better on.

Rosie: You don't know yet. What would make the invitation feel like you?

Deb: I'm going for a walk later. Fancy joining me? Except I'd need to actually go for the walk.

Rosie: A demanding clause in the agreement.

Deb: Fine. Shoes on. Very advanced weekend planning.

Rosie: And if she's busy?

Deb: I'll still get out. Ask about another day. It doesn't have to mean anything terrible about me.

Deb: Remember I asked Sue for a walk. I keep noticing all the things I don't do. I'd like to keep this one.

Rosie: Asking Sue for a walk. A small invitation you decided to send.

Deb: She came. She'd been doing absolutely nothing exciting. We both thought the other one would be busy.

Rosie: How was the walk?

Deb: Shorter than intended. There was a cafe. We showed impressive commitment to sitting down.

Rosie: What did you talk about?

Deb: All sorts. Choir, terrible first jobs, how neither of us can keep a houseplant alive. I felt like myself again.

Rosie: A good Saturday?

Deb: A lovely one. The photograph didn't tell me anything about what my afternoon could be.

Rosie: And the washing basket?

Deb: Still there. Loyal to the end.

Rosie: Something familiar to come home to.

Deb: I came home smiling, though. And I had someone to tell the story to. That mattered.

Rosie: What's your favourite simple way to spend time with someone? A walk, a coffee, a little shared nonsense? Join us again for A little company.

Rosie: Visit Lonely No dot com to meet Rosie and your LonelyNo AI companions.