The short version is we got approved unanimously.
The long version follows-
We had most of the morning to rattle around the house, practice questions and drink coffee in silence. I knew there was nothing to be nervous about but I was still nervous anyway. Cue Rescue Remedy.
We arrived at the office and waited in one of the rooms we were very familiar with after 7months of staring at the pattern on the tissue box whilst waiting for social workers to make our tea. This time I opted for chamomile. Our SW and the manager joined us for a chat and run through and before we knew it the chair arrived to introduce himself, 5 mins later we went into the big room upstairs, sat down at our table facing 8 people in a circle. I noticed I was shaking when I lifted my glass of water, I hoped they would be kind.
In fact I felt a bit grilled! First question bam! straight in with questioning my previous bout of anxiety years ago, I expected this but can't say I appreciated the wording and stern expression on the guys face, I answered as best I could with help from our SW. Second question was much the same theme but phrased differently, again i didnt appreciate the way it was put and it seemed to need quite a lot of clarification. Now I was panicking I hadn't answered clearly, or perhaps they viewed it as a real stumbling block. This guy didnt give much away in his face either. The following questions varied and were quite meaty, always preceded with the 'so many positives...' We got some smiles and bits of positive feedback so we started to relax a little. Mr K also got some questions about his healthy diet and laid back nature then back to the chair for a question about finances - we didn't expect this but seemed to stumble through ok. Then it was over, it lasted about 25mins but felt like a time warp. We went back to the little room to wait for the decision and for the first time ever I doubted the outcome, I was worried they were hung up about the risk of my anxiety coming back. I studied that tissue box pattern like never before, held Mr K's hand very tight and realised what having your heart in your throat meant. 5mins felt like 50. I was welling up, finally the chair came back and said he was delighted to say we have been approved as adopters unanimously. And Breathe. Phew!