This is a mistake. I really should have just walked away but… the waiter said that dinner was served and, well I just didn’t know how not to leave.

This all began on the night of the work dinner. I wasn’t supposed to go, I mean, I spend all day with these people - do I really have to eat out with them too? But then Debbie mentioned we were going to Bernett’s and, I admit, I let my mind be swayed by the promise of finally getting to dine at the most prestigious restaurant in Calton.

Debbie also mentioned that some employees from another branch were coming so when I arrived at Bernett’s and a group of strangers waved me over, I really didn’t think anything of it. Then, I started talking to this woman.

“I’m Clara, who are you?”

“Samantha” I replied, “what do you do?”

“I’m a veterinarian nurse”.

Now I admit that this should have been my first major red flag. But I thought, hey who am I to judge how other branches do things?

“What about you?” She asked.

“Just a clerk.” I replied. “I must ask” I added, “how does it work?”

She looked puzzled.

“How does what work?”

“Well, do your patients come to you independently or do they have to be customers of the branch? Is pet healthcare an incentive we’re introducing?”

She stared blankly at me. Suddenly the waiter bounds up to the group, “ladies and gentlemen, you’re table is ready”. I wondered where the rest of my team was, but like the obedient little sheep that I am I just followed the group to their table.

We’re now three courses in and I can tell you quite confidently that this is not my table - mainly because I don’t work at a veterinarian practise, and everyone else at this table does. Also because, on the other side of the restaurant I can see the table where I’m supposed to be sitting. But how do I leave? I mean, no one’s actually noticed that I don’t work with them. Or if they have they haven’t mentioned it.

I guess I’ll just have to have dessert.