Resolved

Forgive me, please, if I sound in any way complacent, because I don't feel it, but I do feel very glad.

I spent yesterday building myself up nervously to phone Miss B, and then was out all morning and lunchtime today, so hadn't before, this afternoon, she phoned me. To thank me for my help and kindness, and to apologise for 'being nasty' to me.

I asked her, of course, if she had been satisfied with the place where she had been sitting and if she had enjoyed the lecture (which was splendid, actually) and we had quite a long chat. She is quite reconciled to sitting in the designated place, which is actually a good one, and I was sympathetic to her situation, at being obliged to use a wheelchair and the adjustment in personal perspective (I don't mean physically) that this entails.

I really do feel for her, it is hard for someone, especially one who has been used to, and proud of, her independence, to have to go out looking frail and needing help. When she apologised, I said that she is right to fight her corner and to challenge what she sees as unfair (oh dear, am I a bad person, to say that when I've won my point? Well, it's the impression you give as much as the words, isn't it?).

It's not the first time that I've stood up to someone who has afterwards looked upon me as a trusted friend. I'm not sure how I do it, but it is a knack I possess. I think it's that I stand my ground, but don't look pleased to win, and am conciliatory afterwards and aim to concede a way to save face. I do sound self-congratulatory. Sorry. I'm not, really. I'm just glad that she doesn't look on me as a bully, and that she has said that, having made the effort, she feels able to come to the lectures again - where, of course, I'll make sure I stop and chat to her for a while.

By the way, I'm a good loser too. I give in very quickly, unless I'm right. Then - I'm pragmatic. I win if I can, but if not I don't waste the powder.