I Never Held Her Hand Again

I moved schools up north a fair bit when I was young. I used to hold the hand of one nice dinner lady at break times and remember telling her all about the birthday party I was about to have.  She asked me why I was having a party with all these children when I spent my lunchtimes with her rather than playing and making friends. 

I felt embarrassed and a little guilty. I thought she was right, I shouldn’t be having such a big party if I didn’t play with anyone that I’d invited.

She meant it nicely, she was kind; I didn’t hold hands with just any old dinner lady! I think she was trying to encourage me to make friends, so that’s what I went and done. It was the last time I held her hand. 

Occasionally now, if I ever walk into networking event or similar type thing, I think of Mrs Dent and how I can’t hold her hand.