So I left her alone.

[Topstudent]

I wrote this. It's part of a monolog/dialog.

I was there alone, having a drink, when this woman came in and sat down two stools away from me. I could tell she'd been crying, so I asked her if she was okay. She said she'd just had a bad day. She clearly wasn't interested in talking, and neither was I, so I left her alone. So we just sat there, next to each other, drinking in silence for about half an hour, until she suddenly turned to me and asked if she could borrow my phone.

Is 'left her alone' appropriate here? Can you leave someone alone and still sit right next to them?

 

[teechar]

Is 'left her alone' appropriate here?

Yes, it's okay.

Can you leave someone alone and still sit right next to them?

Yes, you can.