I am a Tuna fish / Swimming in a sea of discontent

12:50pm. The designated time for meeting...so where was Georgia? I hung back, away from the queue of people, hoping that it was just a case of her running a bit late rather than her having arrived early and gone in without me. I alternated between keeping an eye on the stairs and on the lift, catching snippets of conversations from the people ahead of me.

"If you just wait here, we'll see if we can fit you in."

"Have you booked? What was the name?"

12:55. Still no sign of Georgia. Maybe she had gone in already, after all? Quickly texting her, I moved closer to the line of people, figuring that it was long enough that even if she was just running late, she would probably still arrive before I got in. Besides, I didn't want to miss my chance for hearing Sue Townsend speaking.

Ping. The doors to the lift opened, revealing several adults and Georgia. She grinned at me and moved to join me in the queue.

***

12:54. I was eager to reach the lecture theatre, and wished the lift would move quicker. I was excited about seeing Sue Townsend as I had read Adrian Mole countless times since I was about ten. Adrian Mole inspired me; I loved the writing style and was determined to ask questions to aid me in my own writing. After all, its not everyday this happens is it?! It was the only reason I stayed for Cultural Exchanges really. The other speakers were good but not as famous as good old Sue Townsend.

12:55 I recieved a text from Sam. 'Where are you? I'm waiting outside, hurry up.' The lift door opened.

***

They hadn't been waiting long before two fellow creative writers from their class headed towards them. Georgia invited them to stand behind her and Sam and the four waited to be allowed in. Suddenly two girls ahead of them in the queue turned around, looking disappointed and complaining that all the seats were taken.

"There aren't any spaces left. We were told that you had to be here 15 minutes early even if you booked, to ensure that you actually get in. But we've been here since quarter to, and we still can't get in."

"But we booked spaces..." Georgia said quickly. "We booked online over a week ago, how can all the seats be taken?"

One of the girls shrugged. "We booked too, but they've already let in some people that didn't."

As the disgruntled and somewhat confused girls turned to leave, a steward walked towards them and apologised, but all the girls could talk about was how to write a blog about a talk they hadn't got to hear.

The end.

G. Norwood & S. Pavely.