a refund on the first ticket would net me the vast sum of €4, which is why I want to keep it even though there's only a slim chance of my making it. I am none of the things you mentioned... if I stop by the ticket office at the airport this week can I ask then nicely to keep both open ?

Alternatively, do I just keep my mouth shut and then argue at the gate as to why they've unilaterally cancelled my confirmed reservation which is not contrary to any of their 'conditions of carriage' ? Or *is* there something in their CoC which would mandate against this ?