So Mrs Grim... was in a state when I got home last night. Apparently the Grimlet had been learning about pocket money at school, and he wanted to do jobs around the house so we would pay him pocket money. Sounds legit.

"And then I can use my money to buy medicine and make you better, Mummy."

Jesus.

I've got painters in

Get your health sorted first. If she likes you then she'll stick around for some walking when you're better.

this period

Oh, yeah, I mean she's not running away or anything and this won't at all affect our relationship I was more bemoaning the terrible timing that whatever's wrong has picked this period to go to town on me.

Isn't she meant to be the one that says that?

I was exactly like this last week although only for a few days. I felt like I was massively hungover, I was off work but felt so ill that I couldn't even be bothered playing any games to pass the time. Put it down to some sort of virus.

I think I've gone past the cough stage which has now turned into a cold. I may be dying.

So the possible, maybe, sort of, might be, future Mrs B has just emailed me to say that she's decided she can only really be friends. Absolutely fucking gutted, if I'm honest. Fuck sticks.

Well that sucks, sorry to hear it, man. What you need is a big blowout to take your mind off it. Come to the Christmas quiz.

So the possible, maybe, sort of, might be, future Mrs B has just emailed me to say that she's decided she can only really be friends. Absolutely fucking gutted, if I'm honest. Fuck sticks.

If it helps Bamba, I say "fuck sticks" too.

If it helps Bamba, I say "fuck sticks" too.

I also, but as 'fucksticks'. Not sure why that's important.

Further emo nonsense: not-Mrs B is perfectly happy to remain friends so now I need to work out whether I can do that (hmmmmm) and, if not, make sure that I do cut contact rather than falling in to the obvious trap of waiting for her to be ready for something more while pretending I'm totally not doing that (as the issue genuinely is that she's not ready for a relationship rather than because things aren't actually quite good between us). I do so want to avoid the obvious fucking cliche trap here, while also not throwing a nice friendship under the bus if that level of drastic reaction isn't required. Fucksticks.

That sucks, and is a situation I don't envy. A couple of things I will say (that you should not take as anything other than my opinion, I'm just putting it out there for consideration even though you didn't ask and probably don't want it... But fuck it ): I believe she means that she isn't ready for a relationship but she'll probably only realise she is ready when the right person comes along. If you stay friends with her, and actively pursue friendship, you risk being around to watch her move on with someone else. If you take a step back, tell her you'd like her to keep in touch and to let you know if she's ever in your neck of the woods, you put the ball in her court. That way, if she realises she would like a relationship with you, she'll get in touch. If she doesn't, both of you avoid any awkwardness and you don't fall into the trap of wondering whether and when would be a good time to email her or otherwise get in touch when you don't have much to say and you just want to speak to her. I know a faint heart never won a fair maiden and all that but if you've been close, she will definitely get back in touch with you if she wants more.

That sucks, and is a situation I don't envy. A couple of things I will say (that you should not take as anything other than my opinion, I'm just putting it out there for consideration even though you didn't ask and probably don't want it... But fuck it ): I believe she means that she isn't ready for a relationship but she'll probably only realise she is ready when the right person comes along. If you stay friends with her, and actively pursue friendship, you risk being around to watch her move on with someone else. If you take a step back, tell her you'd like her to keep in touch and to let you know if she's ever in your neck of the woods, you put the ball in her court. That way, if she realises she would like a relationship with you, she'll get in touch. If she doesn't, both of you avoid any awkwardness and you don't fall into the trap of wondering whether and when would be a good time to email her or otherwise get in touch when you don't have much to say and you just want to speak to her. I know a faint heart never won a fair maiden and all that but if you've been close, she will definitely get back in touch with you if she wants more.