Q1, Working.
Q2 - Feign illness, but giver her a chunk of money to spend on herself because you feel so awful about not being able to go. She'll be too busy plotting the purchase of many pairs of shoes to notice your subterfuge.
( Wicca'd Witch needs ideas for a new sig on..., Mon 22 Jun 2009, 23:19, archived)

your use of the word plotting
brings all my shopping fears back to the front of my mind, in reality of course shoeshopping will be accompanied by handbags, cushions, presents for relatives "that dress i think i might look out for oh but i'm not sure if i want it yet or should i wait, what do you think of this one but i don't really like it now anyway" and "but i don't mind...where would you like to go for lunch?"
(Just Harry What should I put here?, Mon 22 Jun 2009, 23:23, archived)