Posted in AIBU but probably not the right place for it so posting here.
I have employed contractor X to do some work. He has ordered parts from supplier Y for which I am to pay directly. Contractor X forwarded the email chain to me which contained an invoice and the following passage written by supplier Y along with the invoice:
‘I've taken into consideration the inconvenience caused this week with delivery of job reference xxx so hopefully this will soften the blow.‘
I replied directly to the supplier Y to ask what that meant and they explained they had caused contractor X an inconvenience but did not explain what ‘soften the blow’ means. There are no discounts on the invoice which is higher than expected. The delivery charge is high but the parts are large/heavy so could be the going rate.
What do you think it means?