We have a colleague about to retire from our department. I’m the one who’s organised everything from the present to their leaving lunch. Head of department hasn’t helped, just contributed her section of the gift. She now wants to change the day for the lunch and present giving so that it’s more suitable for her. I can’t make this date. And other suitable date is when she’s out. Now the problem is that in reality, this is mainly her trying to gain some control back over the situation (she has form for this) and that actually I know that the woman in question doesn’t care if boss is there but would if I wasn’t as we’re close. Is it worth trying to push back with this, or should I just suck it up and accept that she’s likely to attempt to punish me for this later? And as I’m trying to look for an alternative job, that’s where she’s likely to hit? (She phoned another staff member’s potential new employer and slated her during the conversation. She bragged about it after and was flabbergasted when it didn’t work). What’s the best option here?