Dear T,

Maybe I'll take my shoes off too. I cannot/will not yet take my coat off, because that is an extra layer of protection that I still feel I need, but maybe I can take my shoes off like you do, to signal to myself that I am staying. That I won't be running out the door. (Though to be fair if I felt the need I'd leave the shoes anyway!)

But first you need to apologise and I need to explain.