Transcript

EXTRACT ONE [AVA]: Did the café find your keys? You looked everywhere after lunch. [NOAH]: They did, but not where I'd been sitting. Someone had handed them to the counter because they were on the floor near the door. I must have dropped them when I took my coat off. [AVA]: Oh, good. Did you have to go all the way back? [NOAH]: Yeah, but the manager stayed ten minutes after closing for me. I'd already asked my flatmate to leave his spare under the plant pot, so at least I wasn't locked out while I waited for the bus. [AVA]: Were all the keys still there? [NOAH]: Everything was there, even the little supermarket card I never use. The bright orange tag helped them identify the set when I rang. I bought a coffee to thank the manager, although it was nearly nine at night, so I didn't sleep particularly well. [AVA]: Maybe choose cake next time. [NOAH]: I know. I wasn't thinking. I was just so relieved that I ordered the first thing he offered. The place was empty by then, and he still didn't rush me out. [AVA]: Did he remember you? [NOAH]: Yeah, unfortunately. He laughed about the coffee when I called the next day. EXTRACT TWO [RUBY]: Has your new internet service started yet? [ELLIOT]: Sort of. The router arrived on Monday, but the connection wasn't meant to switch over until today. I plugged everything in last night because the instructions said it could take an hour. [RUBY]: And was it working this morning? [ELLIOT]: No, nothing happened. I called support this morning and found out the old company hadn't released the line. The new provider can't finish the change until that's done, so I'm still using my phone for work. [RUBY]: That must be costing you a lot of data. [ELLIOT]: Using the phone would, but they've added extra data to my account for free. Actually, the phone signal is faster than my old broadband ever was. I just can't keep doing video calls on a tiny screen, and the battery disappears by lunchtime, which isn't ideal. [RUBY]: When should it be fixed? [ELLIOT]: They've said tomorrow afternoon. I'm not completely convinced, so I've booked a desk at the shared office nearby. If the line works, I'll cancel it; if not, at least I won't be trying to lead a meeting from the kitchen doorway. EXTRACT THREE [HANA]: Did you find something for your cousin's wedding? [MARK]: Eventually. I tried on a blue suit that looked great from the front, but the jacket pulled across my shoulders whenever I moved. The assistant suggested a larger size, though the sleeves then covered half my hands. [HANA]: So what did you get? [MARK]: A dark green jacket and trousers that aren't actually a matching set. You can't tell unless you look closely, and both pieces fit properly. I already own a white shirt, so I didn't buy the one they displayed with it. [HANA]: What about shoes? [MARK]: That's the part I haven't solved. My smart shoes are fine for the ceremony, but the reception is in a garden and the ground may be wet. My sister says I should take trainers for later. I used to think that looked odd, but I'd rather dance than spend the evening protecting my shoes. [HANA]: Are you going back to the shop? [MARK]: Only to collect the trousers. They're shortening them by a couple of centimetres. I asked them not to make them too neat because I may wear them with boots in winter. The wedding's next weekend, so I've got time to decide about the shoes.