Expectation and Annoyance

On Christmas Eve I surprised and delighted a customer at work by agreeing to have a coffee with him in the New Year. I even gave him my number to prove I was in earnest and explained I was away until the 7th Jan.

While I was on my abortive road trip (I really should write about that) he rang me twice. I was actually driving at the time, ignored the call once and picked up and explained I was on the road with no hands free. I asked him to call me upon or just after my return to Sydney on the 6th. He agreed.

He texted me on a couple of occasions and I chose to ignore these.

Yesterday, just as I was leaving for lunch he rang me. I asked when I would be available for that coffee today. I explained that I already had lunch plans and that I wasn't available until next week. I start swimming again tomorrow; I don't want to put it off anymore.

'Well, dinner then?'

'I'm sorry, but I have plans.' He didn't need to know I was rushing home for the first episode of Dexter Season 3.

He then ranted a bit about how he might be going to America next week for business.

At this point I was getting closer to my lunch rendezvous with a friend and wanted my caller gone.

'I only agreed to have coffee with you in the first instance. I very busy and have offered you a chance to meet next week if you are able. That is the best I can do at the moment.' I was calm.

'Well,' he said, 'in that case why don't you call me when you're free.'

'I sure will.' was my reply.

As the escalators took me to my lovely lunch company, I found Bonne Annee in my phone and pressed delete.