I work from home. I sell a weekday to a client, 8.30-6 and work with them remotely but closely, so constant emails back and forth, phonecalls etc. The significance of this is that even though I am self-employed and work remotely, I can't just pick and choose when I work. DP's working set-up is quite similar, but he is less answerable to his clients on an hour-by hour basis.
The PiLs have been trying to arrange a weekend to visit us, but the one date they suggested was the only date we have had a prior engagement in the diary for months which cannot be rearranged. All of the other dates we offered (about 5 options) between now and Christmas are inconvenient for them. So this weekend, they arranged with DP that they will visit tomorrow (Tuesday) as they are 'in the area' - (we're actually an hours' detour from where they are but closer than usual as they live a good 200 miles away) He explained that we are both working, (they are semi-aware of the nature of our work, but they've never really listened when we've tried to explain) but they are still insisting on coming.
They're quite hard work, think Victor Meldrew and Hyacinth Bouquet, and require hosting (unlike my parents who just help themselves to drinks, initiate chit chat and generally blend in) I'm happy to host them when I have time at the weekend, but it will be extremely difficult on a working day. Particularly at the moment as we have an 11wk old puppy who is manageable, but a handful. They have never been particularly enamoured/fond of our dogs.
DP can manage his parents on his own, and has said I only need pop in from my office and say hello, and then I can get back to work, but I think this is totally unrealistic. Not only would it be awkward making my excuses and getting back to work, I think they would find it a bit odd too. I also worry about the puppy, she is at that bitey, defiant stage and DP struggles to multitask, I worry he won't be able to engage them in chit chat, make them drinks and keep the puppy from destroying MiL's handbag without a bit of support. I imagine they'll be here a good few hours at least.
Now every other Tuesday I work in-house for a client (i.e. in the client's office). DP told his parents he wasn't sure if that was the case this week or not (he genuinely wasn't sure) but in actual fact it is not the case. I have the perfect get-out clause though, I could go and work at my Mum's house, and we could tell his parents I'm at my clients. I would take the puppy with me as usually my Mum does have the puppy when I'm working in-house so DP can get on with his work uninterrupted, so nothing out of the ordinary there...
God that's all a bit long winded, sorry, so WIBU to let my In-laws believe I'm working in-house for a client when they visit tomorrow? WWYD? Thanks.