I have to cancel an arrangement with a friend

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I planned to meet up with a friend who is reliable and doesn't have many other decent friends. We arranged to go shopping and have a McDonald's. But now I can't do that day because something important has cropped up at work, so I'll have to go in that day for this important meeting. I can't do any other days this week because I'm working those days.

My friend messaged me this morning saying ''what time do you want to meet on Thursday? I have printed off the bus timetable so we know the times of the buses''. Now I feel guilty having to cancel our arrangement. I hate letting people down, and because she's rather lonely, she might feel disappointed. She seems quite happy about meeting up with me.

How can I make myself feel less guilty? What could I put back in the text? Just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt with guilt. I can't help it.

Just tell her you've been called into work and can't get out of it and suggest another day to meet up. That way she will know that you do still want to spend time with her.

My wife keeps a diary. We have to constantly move dates around to fit people in. A friend might cancel, or we might have to cancel, so instead of seeing someone this week, it might become next week or the week after. No one seems to mind. As long as your friend gets to catch up with you at some point that should make her happy. You have a perfectly good reason for cancelling, as long as your friend understands the reason, so you're not really letting her down. Maybe you can see your friend after work or on the weekend, if work is taking up too much of your time.

If you are honest and tell her in good time of the cancellation, that should be acceptable and not cause you any guilt.
Just rearrange your meet-up for another convenient time.

You could also say something to her about how you are disappointed in having to make this change, because you were really looking forward to seeing her on that day. That way you are letting her know that seeing her is important to you. And it might help her feel less disappointed. If you can call her and say it on the phone instead of text, it would likely have even more positive impact.