Book 9 of 16

Cancelling plans

Not tonight after all. Ways out that leave the invitation open, and ways out that do not.

822 verses across 30 chapters

1. 1 I've said goodbye to enough people that leaving is now the polite option Concerning
2. 2 I'd have to take a day off and I'm saving those Unverifiable
3. 3 I need to be home before something arrives Concerning
4. 4 I have to relieve somebody Concerning
5. 5 Last time I was asked to carry something heavy and I've not forgotten Concerning
6. 6 I've been asked to make a speech and I've declined the whole event instead Concerning
7. 7 I can't face the drive back in the dark Unverifiable
8. 8 My ride is leaving and it won't wait twice Unverifiable
9. 9 I have used up all of my remaining anecdotes Concerning
10. 10 There'll be photographs and I'm not photograph-ready Concerning
11. 11 I've started it and stopping now would make it worse Concerning
12. 12 I've been drafting a reply and the draft has grown Not reassuring
13. 13 I've written it down, which is the first stage Concerning
14. 14 There's a seating plan and I've been placed centrally Not reassuring
15. 15 I've reached the stage where I'm agreeing with everybody Not reassuring
16. 16 There's a window and it's closing Not reassuring
17. 17 My notifications and I are on a break Concerning
18. 18 I looked at it properly and it's a bigger job than either of us said Unverifiable