Mum's cousin just phoned. Can I edit some video he shot at a concert on his phone last night and "make it look good"? Basically, I put him off (if I say yes and do it, he'll want others doing, and I don't want to to go down that path really). So I put him off. Told him he'd have to get the phone to me somehow, and editing takes up a lot of time. So is there anyone else who he knows who can do it?

He'll probably phone back later. If he does, my excuses will start to get weaker and I'll end up doing it. The thing is I only ever hear from him when he wants something, and whenever he's meant to be at a family event, he's always always late. When my grandma (his aunt) was ill he oho bed me up NOT to talk about her, but to ask where in Chelmsford is a good place to meet a woman for an Internet date.

you're allowed to say no. you don't need excuses.

I'm on a course and having to do the awkward lunch in the canteen thing. At least we're getting away early.

What's awkward about lunch in a canteen? That's what they're for.

It's ernie we're talking about here, so it's probably having to talk to people without stabbing them in the head, or something similar.

explain themselves before HR.

She said that's no way to talk to a superior.