I've just inadvertently upset someone and feel terrible. I'm posting here to ask if I should apologise the next time I see her or just leave it.
She isn't a friend as such, but we are friendly and will often sit on the same table. I see her once a week for the three hour while we listen to talks etc..
She has sight impairment and I think experiences other problems that aren't obvious. She has an assistance dog.
So today we sat at the same table an she clipped the dog's lead to the leg of the table. When it came time to go she was unbuckling the leash but seemed to be taking quite a while so I thought she was either struggling with the strap or couldn't quite see what she was doing as the lighting was quite dim.
I said 'can you manage' and she said yes she was fine, but then added 'I'm not that useless.' She didn't say it in a nasty way at all but I felt terrible like I had patronised her. I think she thought I asked because she has an assistance dog etc. but I would genuinely asked anyone as she did seem to be having problems and taking quite a while.
Should I apologise when I next see her or will that make it even worse?