apology accepted

I took Barbara some flowers today. I genuinely felt bad about laughing at her troubles in the canteen. When I spoke to Ted about it he suggested I man up and tell her the truth, rather than leave it and give her a bad opinion of me. He is right more often than not. I have my workplace reputation to think of, you know…
I sat with her and apologised for my giggles on Saturday and explained that it’s a defence mechanism, and my way of dealing with bad news and bad emotions. She said it was a nice gesture and thanked me for explaining, as on Saturday I had ‘come across as a bit of a bastard.’ We have decided to give each other another chance.

I spent the rest of the day dealing with comments from people who wondered why I’d presented some flowers to a woman thirty years older than me.. Some people really have nothing better to do than gossip and speculate.

Despite the childish reaction from the workforce, I feel better for having done it. I don’t like upsetting people, and for the sake of a small gesture with flowers I am now back on an even keel with Barbara, even if I’m not in her good books. Plus, I bought them from the supermarket garage using my discount card, so the bouquet only cost me three quid…

RC 17-10-11