Just when Baggy thinks she is besting Hormonal Hannah it all goes pear-shaped......

People who are sent on the Stress Management Course that Baggy was referred to a few weeks ago, are suffering from anxiety, depression, or often (as in Baggy's case) both. They are likely to have other issues as well, for example, they may well have O.C.D. (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), which Baggy doesn't believe that she has. But they have issues - probably quite a lot of them! When she was booked onto the course, the counsellor who spoke to her said that, "It's a four-week course, the first of which is on Wednesday 6th July". So Baggy explained that she wouldn't be able to the last Wednesday, as she was taking Grotty Groom on holiday and the Wednesday was the last day of the three-day break. The counsellor said that that wouldn't be a problem, as long as she did the first three, she could have the booklet for the last session. Okay fine. She put the three seeions in her diary for the Wednesday's at 2.00pm. So as bloggees who read Clara's blog will know, Baggy went to her first session last Wednesday. When she "enrolled" she explained that she would not be able to attend the last session as she was on holiday, and the Wednesday was the last day. "No problem, we can let you have the booklet and if you wish to do the session, you can come on a later course". This made Freda Fretter relax. Although Hormonal Hannah then gave her a meltdown during the presentation.

On Monday Clever Bird got a text message reminding her that she had her second session in Stowmarket on July 12th. Since her first session, Baggy has been able to manage Freda and Hannah considerably better, so she was almost looking forward to her second session; nervously, and with considerable anxiety about unravelling again, but optimistic that it would help even more. So she set off on the forty-five (plus) minute drive feeling positive. She parked the car with Clever Bird thinking how busy it was, then took Hormonal Hannah for her "flight" visit to the loo. As she passed the presentation room, she wondered why the door was closed. Clever Bird had already decided that she would act on the first session and make Hannah face a real fear and sit in the middle of a row - not at the seat she always has to have at the end of the row, by the exit door. She optimistically took Baggy from the loo to the room. The door was locked and the room was empty. As Baggy took Hannah round to reception, Clever Bird was thinking "how stupid it was to change the room for a bunch of stressed-out worriers".

"Can I help you?" asked the very pleasant receptionist. "Urmmm, yes, I'm here for the Stress Management Course", said Baggy. "Oh, that was yesterday". Cue Hormonal Hannah to provide a simultaneous hot flush and total meltdown; tears seemed to launch horizontally from the eyes in Baggy's bright red, sweaty face. "Are you joking? Why the bleeping heck didn't they say last week, 'Remember that next week's session is on Tuesday', the idiots? There's a reason why we are on this course". Blub, blub, snivvle, apologise. The poor woman didn't quite know how to react to Baggy's complete over reaction. "So what is the date today?", "It's the 13th." "Oh". "I think all the remaining sessions are on a Tuesday". "Okay, thank you, so sorry", said Baggy trying to see through her tears to get Hannah out of the poor woman's sight. "Pity they didn't put Tuesday July 12th on the text", growled Clever Bird to herself as Baggy attempted to walk to her car that she'd left five minutes earlier.

Clever Bird phoned Calum and explained while crying even more hysterically. Then she decided to call the office to explain that she hadn't deliberately missed yesterday's session. She could not stop crying, but that lady was clearly used to dealing with hysterical people, because she was very caring and understanding and is going to arrange for Baggy to take Hannah to the next course in a few weeks time instead. However, this just made bloody Hannah even worse. She sat in the car park trying to stop panic shallow breathing. Blew Baggy's nose. Put on her sunglasses and set off back home. Then she re-dialled Calum and started crying again! Seriously, what is wrong with the woman? It was a stupid mistake (admittedly compounded by the organisers), but not exactly the end of the world, but for the next twenty minutes or so, it felt like it. Baggy obviously needs more help than Clever Bird realised. Calum suggested stopping for a cappuccino on the way home. Amazingly, Baggy managed this, without the chocolate or side order of cake. Baggy is now trying to get Creative Clara to cheer her up by laughing about it, while the Hinge cat gives her a cuddle. And breathe..........