Vocal Voices

My niece from Germany is currently visiting a friend in the UK. She messaged me early last week asking if it was OK if she came to visit me afterwards and that she'd be with me this coming Monday. I have a lot of time for this niece - she really is a lovely girl so of course I said yes. Admittedly I should have there and then asked - or she should have said - just how long she's staying. I found out yesterday that she'll be with me through to Thursday evening; when her flight leaves.

Now, I'd made plans two weeks ago to meet up with a friend for dinner on Wednesday - either at my house or at a restaurant and we finally settled on a restaurant. So yesterday afternoon I sent her a message to let her know that my niece was here and could we either shift things back to my house or meet up another day?

Below is the message I sent and her reply which I'm a bit 'bemused' about

Me to her
howdy hon, how are you doing?
just to let you know that I most likely will have a problem re next week Wednesday. I got a message from one of my nieces (my sister in Germany's eldest daughter) last week saying she was visiting a friend in Sheffield and was planning on being down in London this coming Monday. I today only found out that she's going to be with me through to Thursday. So options are we keep the Wednesday in the diary but do it at mine (with Lisa joining us) or we rearrange to another day - only one I could do is next week Friday? So sorry, I really thought that she's only going to be with me for a day or so; wasn't quite expecting a four day stop over. But she's definitely one of my favourite nieces and I have a lot of time for her

Her reply
Hi, Can you not pop out Wednesday and leave Lisa at home? Or is it too difficult?


And I'm really not sure what to do now

Well that's what I was thinking. Can't you just tell your niece that she is welcome to stay but you had made a prior arrangement to go out on the Wednesday evening.

Ah Ria, I think you should explain the position to your niece when I expect she would volunteer to stay behind as it is only a self invite. As long that is if you dont mind leaving her in your house. Your friend obviously wants a one to one.

i think your niece might like a evening on her own at your place
as long as she can lounge on your new settee use the tv remote
bottle of wine /chocs
go out and enjoy seeing your friend

Agreeing with the other replies Ria xxx

Me too.

I shouldn't worry about it Ria. Just explain to your niece that you will be popping out to meet your friend as planned. She will understand and probably wouldn't expect you to change your plans for her

I agree with the others Ria, just explain to your niece that you already have plans for Wednesday.

I agree with what the others have said. Explain to your niece that you'd arranged to go out before you knew she'd be staying on that day and although you've tried to rearrange your friend can only do that day. I'm sure your niece will be fine about it.

Can only concur with the others - if I was your niece, I'd hate to think that I was intruding.