Friday morning - that means a date with my new 'friends' at the village hall. I say 'friends' because I am not sure I count them as friends and I am certainly not yet one of their friends I am sure!
But either way it is a weekly toddler and baby playgroup in the village hall which I feel compelled to visit. The playgroup is an odd one but that's another story. It is different than most playgroups as it is more for the mums than the kids! There is always at least 2 freshly baked cakes for us to feast on at 9:30am and barely a beaker or biscuit for the kids in sight! The chairs are laid out in a circle for maximum mum-chatting, with the toys spread around the room or even next door. You almost think it is a time for mums to turn their backs on the kids and gorge cakes; kind of ok really!!
Today it was fun from my perspective..today I was replaced as 'playgroup new person' by another new resident! I felt the burden lift! It almost felt like everyone was more chatty to me as I was more familiar to them. I got invited out to the village mum's pub drinks tonight too!
So let me explain a little about this local playgroup: it is organised by a lovely, polite, 30 something girl who supplies it with half of her own toys. Serving teas is the domain of an older lady, clearly with a mission in life..she is the wife of a local pastor belonging to a born again Christian church. I try not to look her directly in the eye; I am sure she belongs to the sort of church that my Dad used to warn me about in the 70's!! There is always a risk that the beverages are being drugged; better watch that one! Then there is a close clique of timid but friendly mousey types. In my first few playgroup visits I found them to be very friendly and warm but not quite my type of person. But, you know, can't rule anyone out in the early days. It was like Fresher Week I suppose. After numerous conversations, the penny dropped... They were all part of the same church! Oh God, (perhaps the wrong exclamation in this situation) but I realised I was in deep doo-doo. Church attendance was not anywhere on our agenda; we didn't even marry in one! Panic and cold sweat! I had to find some other 'friends'!
My 'prayers' were answered and over the weeks, more girls turned up. Some ex-Londoners; one who knew the landlord of the house where my friend lives; it was all hope and felt more familiar to me! I made an effort to try and break into the next new clique without offending the other set!
So that's where I am at...very slowly meeting people and making acquaintances, maybe friends will follow soon.
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