I sat there, paralysed with, what was it... Doubt? Heavy-heartedness? Misery? Wishing that I can just bury myself in the earth. Although I probably wouldn't do a good job about it anyway - an elbow or a heel might stick out as a marker, surreptitiously waiting to be spotted.

And what if I allowed the words to fall from my lips? Would that in any way lighten the burden? I'm quite certain you will consent to listen, although whether they are what you need to hear is quite a different matter all together.

Perhaps I'm just being silly. I've been silly quite often enough these days.