I was having a grand old chit chat in a café last week, as I am wont to do. The woman I was talking to was a worm, colourful character and the banter was flying. But our chat was interrupted.
Another woman came into the café, dressed in full cycling gear, and bounded over to my café buddy and gave her a bear hug.
‘It’s so good to see you!’ she said, letting out a woman-shriek.
They must be good friends, I thought, if she’s that excited to see her. I expected her to sit down in the chair opposite my café buddy.
But then the woman started backpedalling, clutching a takeaway coffee cup. Appropriate, given the cycling gear.
‘I must dash,’ she said. ‘I’m on the clock. Strava waits for no man.’
‘Or woman,’ quipped my café buddy.
The cyclist laughed.
And then she said it. That most socially acceptable of lies.
‘We must meet for coffee.’
Photo Description: This is a pic of three women at a high table, laughing and drinking coffee out of latte glasses.
My café buddy called her bluff.
‘That’d be great. I’m off until Wednesday.’
A pause.
‘Oh, right. I’ll check my diary when I get home. Better run. Or cycle. See you later.’
And she was gone, her performance of friendship complete.
There were so many other elegant exit lines the woman could have said. It was great to see you. You’re looking really well. Take care of yourself. Or as one local Tramore character was fond of saying: See you in the next cartoon.
But looking at my café buddy, I knew the cyclist’s exit line had left a bad taste, one that coffee couldn’t entirely erase.
Perfect Derbhile - it reminds me of my cousin, whom I love dearly but who has a habit of sending me occasional whatsapp messages saying we must meet up etc. to which I usually reply by saying great - how about next Wednesday at 11? The response is often a variation on 'I'd love to but I've to go to a wedding in Portugal at the weekend and I need to pack' !!! I kid you not!!