Botanica

It is very rare to see Dan in bad spirits. I can't remember the last time he was even a little bit grumpy. Today, though, he was out of sorts. Much as he loves his new job, I think he was looking forward to a day off and didn't appreciate being told he had to come in for both the afternoon and evening shifts.

Of course, I tried to jolly him out of it and, bless him, he attempted to respond with good cheer but I could tell he was quite profoundly pissed off. 

I also suspected that he. hadn't eaten much before going to work, so the Minx and I took him out to Botanica for something to eat between his shifts. He was friendly enough when we met him but I could tell he was still unhappy, so we ordered several plates of food. 

It's the first time we've eaten at Botanica* and the food was excellent. Dan's not a fast eater but by his standards he was wolfing it down. And, as I hoped, is mood lightened and he became more like his usual self. 

Indeed, by the time we popped in for a drink at The Red Dragon later on, he was still rolling his eyes at the situation - lots of customers, not enough staff, out of his depth manager - but the dark cloud seemed to have lifted. 

*Abi works at Botanica and has taken a dim view of any plans I make to go in. However, she wasn't working today.

PS. I started learning German at the start of last year. I'd miss the odd day but eventually settled into the. discipline of doing lessons every day. Today was my 500th day without missing a lesson. Duolingo's congratulatory message? "Keep learning tomorrow to make it 501!"

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-11.4 kgs
Reading: 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernadine Evaristo