CAPPUCCINO challenge

Her best friend had thrown down the gauntlet – but could Lorna really claim the prize?

Looks like it’s going to rain,’ Lorna said glumly, glancing out of the cafe window.

‘You always look on the negative side, Lorna. You should try to appreciate all the good things in your life. It says in this magazine that gratitude is good for your health. Here, you have it.’

Lorna had heard this many times, not just from best friend Morag. Did she always see the glass as half-empty? But life wasn’t all hearts and flowers, was it?

‘We’ll each come up with three things we’re grateful for,’ Morag said brightly.

Lorna’s heart sank. With a boiler on the blink, a demanding boss and a skirt that felt a little snug, she was stumped. Morag began excitedly, ‘I’m grateful for meeting up with you, for this lovely cappuccino, and for my dog. Your turn.’

‘Um, I’m grateful I’m not at home doing housework.’

‘You’ll have to do better than that, Lorna. When we meet for coffee next week, you’ve to bring a proper list. See it as a challenge. I’ll buy the coffees if you succeed.’

As Lorna headed home, she was lost in thought. ‘Maybe I am a misery gut, always seeing the negatives. I’m going to prove Morag wrong,’ she decided.