How Do I Handle This

[newtofl]

OK, I came back from lunch late, about 7 minutes due to traffic (it should have taken 10 minutes but it took almost 20).  

The other assistant took her lunch later to go out with someone so they were waiting for me.  I left for lunch at 11:55 and got back at 1:03 - her lunch really should be 1:00 and she did not tell me she was leaving early.   I really felt bad that I was late and I ran into the building (not a good thing with asthma) so it would not be so bad  

The assistant said in her usual not so nice manner, "where were you, you are late" and did not let me explain and huffed out with her friend.

My situation is that she does that to me at least once a week and I never really said anything to her.  What should I say when she returns - I'm sure she will not be very friendly but I am not here to make friends either.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Susan

[radaro]

I would simply say, "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."  Don't engage in an argument if that is what she wants and don't finger point.  Just stick to "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."  Any explanation will sound like an excuse.

[Judy Loux]

I woule agree with "radaro" except that I would say "I will try to not let this happen again".  You can't guarantee it won't happen again because you can't always control the traffic and other elements around you.

Don't engage in any further discussion about the incident.

Ddiva

[newtofl]

Thanks for your replies.  It turned out that the other assistant thought I left the office at 11:45 to go to lunch but I thought that it was 11:55 (it only too me 10 minutes to get home not 20).  I think we cleared this up for now but for the next time......

[radaro]

I never say "try".  To quote Yoda "Do or do not, there is no try".  If it happens again just clean up the mess.