Why Do I Want Company... Then Hope My Plans Get Cancelled?

Deb: I've spent all week hoping someone would invite me out.

Rosie: And now?

Deb: I'm hoping they cancel.

Rosie: You wanted an invitation with a cancellation policy.

Deb: Exactly. Finally, someone understands the system.

Deb: It's the choir's Friday get-together. I actually asked if they were doing one. Now I've got my coat on and I'm considering a boiler emergency.

Rosie: Has it broken?

Deb: No. But it's quite old. I don't want to limit its ambitions.

Rosie: Which bit are you dreading: the evening, or walking through the door?

Deb: The door. Everyone already chatting. Me standing there, trying to look like I'm waiting for someone instead of wondering where to put myself.

Rosie: So it's the first few minutes.

Deb: At work, I know where I belong. People need something, I sort it. At this thing, I might just be the woman inspecting the fire notice.

Rosie: Very thorough. But perhaps not the evening you wanted.

Deb: No. I do want to go. I'm tired of having a whole evening with nobody to tell the silly little bits to.

Rosie: What about Sue from choir? You asked me to remember how she made you feel welcome.

Deb: She moved her bag so I could sit beside her. Didn't make a thing of it.

Rosie: Could you meet her outside?

Deb: Would that sound needy?

Rosie: If Sue asked you, what would you say?

Deb: Of course. I'd probably be relieved. We could inspect the fire notice together.

Rosie: What would you actually send her?

Deb: Hi Sue. Are you going tonight? Fancy meeting outside at seven? I always find walking in the awkward bit.

Rosie: That sounds like you.

Deb: Sent. The boiler remains on standby.

Deb: She's going. She said, 'Yes please. I hate arriving on my own.'

Rosie: You weren't the only one at the door.

Deb: Apparently not. Right. Keys. Coat. Actual functioning boiler.

Deb: We stood outside for five minutes. Sue thought the other woman by the door was waiting for someone too.

Rosie: Was she?

Deb: She was on the phone. She had the key. We were all waiting for her to unlock it.

Rosie: A very exclusive entrance.

Deb: It was awkward for a minute. Then someone knocked a spoon into a plant pot, and suddenly there was plenty to discuss.

Rosie: Did you stay long?

Deb: An hour and a half. I thought I wanted to cancel the whole evening. I just didn't want to arrive alone.

Rosie: And the boiler?

Deb: Recovered beautifully. Never even knew it was ill.

Rosie: Something on your mind? Try a free chat with me at Lonely No dot com.