Early evening: OD and H world OD and H meet for a drink prior to the networking event. H smiles broadly when he sees me and I am completely my normal self, talking animatedly about what I've been doing. We talk about his family quite a bit and laugh and smile. H maintains quite good eye contact, but it's intermittent. I think how lovely he is, and feel bad for not staying out with him. As we walk to the networking event, H says he printed out vouchers for us to save money on a meal. It was so sweet, a response to me telling him I loved when he looked after our money that way. We get to the event, and sneak in at the back. We whisper to each other while the lecture's happening
Early evening: CEO world CEO texts me to say he's not sure where they're going to watch the match. Then to say they seem to all be scattering. Then calls me to say he's going to watch it at his club and I'm welcome to join him. I say I will. (I know, you guys can 2x4 me if you want to).
Mid-evening: OD and H world H and I are at the networking thing, networking. or I'm networking and H is hanging around with me. I don't know how to introduce him, so do it by name. One person who H knows asks me how I know H. So annoying, but I wasn't that bothered overall. It chipped a little at my hope, but what can you do..... I see an old friend who I haven't seen for about 10 years (he and H have never met). He comes and hugs me and says hello exuberantly. Quite a few of my other male networking contacts also greeted me effusively, so that was good. I feel bad about this, but H seemed so lost. I feel my heart go out to him thinking of it, but he used to be so totally in control, and he just seemed so much like a little boy yesterday evening. *sigh*
Mid-evening: CEO world CEO calls and asks where I am. I say I'm still networking, and he gives me directions to where he is. After a while I leave to go and joing him. I say goodbye to H, and he manages a weak hug, whereas my old friend gives me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Late evening: OD and CEO world I get to the vicinity of the pub after being on the tube. CEO has called and left me two messages to give me instructions and location. He then calls again so I don't pick up my messages. I eventually meet him at the pub. We stand side by side, watching the match and talking about the football. England were brilliant, BTW, one of our best ever victories! After the match, I move to leave, and CEO says he's tired and going home. He walks me to the tube station. As I wait for the tube I hear his voicemails. They're both very sweet- he's walking around looking for a pub to watch the game and speaking to me describing what he's doing as he does it. When I get home I find he's texted to check I got back OK.
