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I try not to look too eager as I reat it would be to actually know soo for coffee with, or shopping, or the cines that suck about life in London and the things that are awesome A real-life person-friend so I don’t have to feel so much like a cat-lady loser

“I’ll be back near here on Monday,” she says “Maybe lunchtime I can pick it up then”

I quell my disappointment, but perhaps she sees it on my face

“Actually, did you want to meet for lunch?” she says “You’re the first cool person I’veto make new friends”

Cool person! My insides light up in a glow I had been thinking the same about her,

but I had worried about sounding too desperate if I’d asked to meet up

“I would love to have lunch!” I say, trying not to grin all over my face “How’s 12 o’ clock on Monday?”

“Make it one, if that’s okay? We’ve got a big weekend planned for Rachel’s birthday so I ht to Sunday Actually, do you want to co at a bar in the city near Shoreditch”

I reat but I have work tonight”

Secretly I alad to have an excuse to say no I a to a bar with a bunch of strangers is terrifying I am much better one to one

“This place can’t be open that late!” she protests

“Actually I’ shift at a restaurant I work at part-time Luca’s It’s just down the road from where we live”

“Oh yeah I’ve seen it! You’re pretty handy on the job-front, huh? I ht have to pick your brains about that at lunch I’ve been looking but I’ve had no luck”

“Sure,up her purchases at the cash register and bag the forward to Monday”

We agree where to meet as I see her out of the store I stand in the doorway to give her a little wave as she walks off “Stay safe!” I shout instinctively