Another bleary morning on my so-called retreat
pull on joggers and the t-shirt I slept in
stumble down to grab some breakfast shower later
- Hello Lee!
- Oh, it's you (quick, think) Tameka
- What are you doing here you look
- I know, I was in a hurry. What are, oh
The old team - Elaine, Nick, Professor Peach,
Gorden with an E, the new girl -
were seated at the largest table
come on over and we'll grab a seat for you
my protests are drowned, Look who we've found
have you come back to join us?
Explanations dispensed with,
they pepper me with questions
I try to bat them off, apologise for
not looking my best, keep touching my hair
greyer thinner since the last time
we'd all shared a space
They pretend to envy my 'carefree' lifestyle as
I mumble about my projects which had
brought me to the same hotel
where they were having a team away day, Elaine
rolling her eyes at me, my office pal
why hadn't we kept in touch?
Others turn up clutching plates
gawping and gasping It's Lee, Lee!
Damon, Aoife, Big Tom, Little Tom (they both hated that),
Mother Hubbard (she had no idea) and then
they rapidly dispersed, Elaine rubbing my shoulder
'Those whiteboards full of action points
won't fill themselves'
I head out later, showered and more presentable
determined to make the most of my day
let the hours pass by
in idle pursuits, my head ablaze
with breakfast shame
It won't do to return to the hotel too early,
I can't allow myself to be roped in
to any team building revelry
although I'd love to know the gossip
Those days are gone
this is my fresh start
my freedom years
I must forge my own path or
die in someone else's ditch
It's late now and time to head back
maybe sneak in through the car park
check directions on my phone
and see it's an hour's walk or
a short bus ride
So I wait at the bus stop
it's dark now and cold
as I check my phone again
waiting at the bus stop
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