Arranged last week that tonight would be spent in the Crown catching up with Mirfee for the first time since he started whatever new job he has just started.
But apart from a text about 4pm suggesting that everyting was "so far so good for tonight" I have heard nothing and so can only assume he is late back from London.
Mind you, wouldn't be the first time this has happened. More than once I have sat like this and then had a text from the pub saying "I'm at the bar, what are you having..."
So we shall see.

In the meantime, feeling very tired. First day in the office since Thursday and I'm wondering if that's enough to make a difference. First Job review today, with Jo was nerve-wracking but went well. I so need some training at this kind of thing. She ranted. There's a lot of issues to face.

And then he rings. He is still at work, but its Whiteley, not Fareham. Every intention of going to the pub and suggests we meet there at 9.30. Its now 8.41.
I have no idea how that's going to work.
What about going home, to eat. Wife/ kids? not my problem I suppose and he seemed put out that I might suggest we forget it if its a hassle.

Meanwhile, it's Lent.
We have a bracelet, a hand mixer and two books in the box.
It doesn't feel much like a journey of hardship and self-denial. More of reflection and, hopefully, some spritual maturity.
To that effect, I've just read the book of Jonah. NIV Study version is SO helpful, because I do get more understanding from the text if I can set it in some historical context. (Like the Phoenician Trade Routes between Israel and Spain, which meant he could catch a ship heading west to 'run away from the Lord.'
And the historical/narrative/literary notes fascinate me too.
Historical fact, embellished with narrative biography.

Jonah's prayer (from inside the fish) interested me most (Ch.2)

In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me (2:2)

Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs (2:8)

Interesting conclusion to the story as well, when the Lord is questionning JOhnah's right to be angry.
The key to this message lies in the Lord's sending of the vine and the worm, and Jonah's reaction to them. He's a bit of a miserable so-and-so really.