Some days, I just want to stay at home with my cat, drink strong black coffee and binge watch my new crime series. It’s typically those days that relatives decide to make surprise visits, or friends pop round for an impromptu meet up, or worse, bring someone new for me to meet.

Today is one of those days.

Yes it’s my birthday, but that does NOT meant I want to see every person I know, and several people I don’t know or at least don’t remember.

I mean, who even is Jay?

And I get that it’s nice, this whole surprise party thing, and I get that it take thought and love to arrange, and I’m grateful, I really am, but could they just stop fucking talking?

Words and words and words. And I have to answer with words. Not just one word either, or they look at you with that expression that means “and?”.

I can’t help but duck into my bedroom. My cat, Margo, stretches out on my bed.

Silence. Well, quiet at least. I can still hear the people. But quiet is enough. It is a safe haven amidst the damn nattering.

Someone knocks on my door.

Shit.

Maybe it I just stay quiet, they’ll leave me alone?

Max walks in.

Shit.

I’m gonna have to talk.

Words. Actual words. Multiple words.

:(