[Sundae]

Really silly. More disappointed than irritated.

Today in school I was given a gift from one of the teachers I work with every week. Not personally - it was given to me by another teacher, because the one I work with is off sick (see below).
I didn't open it immediately, but when I got home tonight I opened the card (thanks for your help etc) and then just couldn't help it. It was in a lovely stocking and as well as the wrapped present there was a tiny cracker, so I thought it was all gorgeous. The present was a toy penguin and a net of chocolate penguins from Thorntons (a well respected chocolatier). I was so pleased.

Until approx 20 minutes ago.
I checked my emails only to find an apology from said teacher.
She's been off all week with the horrible bug that has literally halved the school attendance this week.
She was sorry that I hadn't received my Secret Santa on time, but was sending it in today.
In fact the Secret Santa exchange along with the staff buffet was postponed until the first day of next term, as the staff have been equally stricken.
So as it turns out, what I thought was a thank you gift was in fact my Secret Santa and now I will have nothing to open when everyone else does.

I'm less bothered about me (I genuinely prefer to give rather than receive) and I'm not annoyed at the person who gave it to me (well - a little) but I'm more sorry for her. I'm going to reply and explain I've already opened it, and thank her. Any other option would involve silly lies that could get awkward. I only wish I'd checked my mails before opening it - I would def have returned it to school tomorrow otherwise.

Sigh.