Dinner Time

I get into the car, switch on my engine and start the drive over to my friends where he and his partner are cooking dinner for me. They always cook such nice dinners, my stomach rumbles and I look at the clock knowing that i'll make 7.30, the time they wanted me to arrive.

I always enjoy being a dinner guest. I guess I love to have someone cook for me, where I don't have to do much but provide conversation and maybe my washing up skills after.

As I pulled up to their flat I checked my phone to see a text had been received:

COULD YOU MAKE IT 8PM, WE'RE RUNNING LATE, X

I looked down at the clock which read exactly 7.29pm and quite frankly couldnt believe they had only just sent me this. There was no point in going back, so I replied that I was here and I'd wait in the car.

All sorts went through my head as to why exactly they needed the extra time. I got an instant reply:

YOUR HERE? OH...WELL COME UP X

Of course I am here, I was told 7.30pm. I locked the car and bounced up the stairs going through their flat door which was open.

I was greeted by them both wearing what I could only describe as outfits from the orignal Fame movie, with a smirk I realised they must have only just got in from the gym.

As I walked in ready to start the evening, my friend turned around and said, "Were just off out for a run, make yourself at home, we'll be back in about 25 minutes."

I must have had the most shocked and dumb-founded face I had ever had. It was now 7.35pm and as I sat down on the sofa and watched the two spandex runners leave the flat I looked around the room thinking, where are the hidden cameras?

I turned on the sky and started watching the television, inbetween intervals of TV I continually said out loud, "What has just happened?"

25 minutes were up and it was just past 8pm when the two now sweaty hosts, came back through the door.

I instantly perked up and put their weirdness behind me ready to hear the sizzle of a frying pan and smells from the oven...Instead I heard the shower turn on and the bathroom door shut.

It was now 8.30 and they were still refreshing themselves from there run. I had watched the television for a good hour when my hosts came into the room with beaming smiles. Would my dinner evening finally start?

8.45pm the oven went on, as we got chatting I saw them preparing the dinner and when I heard one of them say to the other, "Do that first it takes 45 minutes to cook!" I looked down at my watch and calculated that the actual time we would be eating after preparation would be 10pm.

As my stomach let out a whine, I took my glass of wine and smiled with enthusiasm letting them carry on preparing. Deep in convo whilst his other half was cooking, we chatted, looked at old pictures, laughed and drank wine whilst my stomach yearned for food.

As the night progressed my friends phone beeped and indicated he had received a text. As he turned the phone I noticed the time read 7.54pm. I double looked at the phone, then looked at my friend.

Only then did it dawn on me... The clocks had gone back.

I had turned up for dinner at 6.30pm. An hour and a half earlier than when I was actually wanted.

We laughed so hard no sit ups were required that evening. I had a lovely dinner, but still cannot forget the looks on their faces when I walked in at what I thought was 7.30pm, while they were in their leotards ready for their run.

I do love being a Dinner guest...at any hour!