I also tried to act as if. I got an immediate response. As I approached the door to knock on it, I thought about how W would probably open the door and scowl or look away, or generally not be too welcoming. I thought about how if she was happy to see me I would knock on the door, and once it was opened I would smile and give her a big warm, hello, good morning. That's exactly what I did. She was clearly going to open the door in her 'oh you're here' manner when she caught sight on my big hello and it prompted her to change her demeanour and respond almost in kind, with a vaguely warm good morning. Questions from me about school and kids followed in an upbeat manner, and the conversation went well.
