Hectic Social Whirl

I am living proof that the idea of playing hard to get works in friendship terms as much as it does in romance.

During the last few weeks of being intensely self-absorbed - work, newlywedness, dieting, Thims departure and the associated feelings - I have been perfectly nice but rather distant to everyone, partly as was busy being wrapped up in a sense of unworthiness and/or loneliness, and partly because said feelings led to paranoia that my friends don't really like me, and just tolerate me because they feel they have to.

BUT in the last few days I have been inundated with texts, calls and invitations from people all claiming they 'miss my company'. Hot damn! (If I sound a little conceited, it's because I am today - so there!).

Most excitingly, one of my invitations has been from new friend Scarfee, with whom I am going shoe shopping next week. I really do think new friendships are like dating - you start with 'safe' dates like weekday lunches (anyone can find enough conversation to last an hour), progress to after-work drinks (ditto), the maybe venture to the cinema (it's two or three hours, but for most of that you don't need conversation) and progress finally to things like shopping days, lunch up town, or nights out with the girls/lads/partners (delete as appropriate). So... Scarfee and I are at the third date kind of stage. Shopping has been introduced. Watch this space....