Transcript

EXTRACT ONE [AMY]: How did the dinner go? You sounded worried about cooking for eight people. [LUKE]: It was fine in the end. Well, the soup was much thicker than the recipe photo, so I added more water just before everyone arrived. Then I forgot it was still on the heat and had to add a bit more. [AMY]: Did anybody notice? [LUKE]: No. They asked for the recipe, which was generous. The main problem was the oven. Two dishes needed different temperatures, so I cooked the vegetables first and kept them warm under foil. That worked better than trying to fit everything in at once. [AMY]: And dessert? [LUKE]: My neighbour made it. I was going to attempt a cake, but she offered to bring one, and I'm glad I said yes. It meant I could sit down for ten minutes before the doorbell started. Next time I'd prepare the table earlier. I was still looking for matching glasses while people were taking their coats off. I had written the timings on a note beside the cooker, but steam turned it into a wet blue square. EXTRACT TWO [DAN]: Did the repair shop fix your phone screen? [KEIRA]: Yes, and they finished a day early. The new screen looks fine, but at first the face recognition wouldn't work. The technician cleaned a tiny mark near the camera and set it up again while I waited. [DAN]: Did they charge extra? [KEIRA]: No, it was included. I did pay for a stronger case, though. The old one looked nice but left the corners exposed, which is probably why the screen cracked when I dropped it. [DAN]: Have you got everything back on the phone? [KEIRA]: Most things were already backed up. My banking app made me prove who I was again, and I'd forgotten one password. Actually, that took longer than the repair. The shop gave me a printed receipt with a six-month guarantee. I've photographed it and emailed it to myself because pieces of paper disappear in my flat. [DAN]: Are you going to be more careful now? [KEIRA]: For at least a week, yes. The technician also checked the speaker because calls had sounded quiet before the screen broke. I've put the guarantee date in my calendar as well, because six months will disappear quickly. EXTRACT THREE [RAVI]: Is your sister still driving you to the airport? [LUCY]: She is, but not from my flat. There's road work outside my street and she doesn't want to get stuck behind the temporary lights. I'm taking the bus to her house and we'll leave from there. [RAVI]: That's a bit complicated with a suitcase. [LUCY]: It's one direct bus, and she's only three stops away. Actually, it saves her driving into town first. My flight isn't until midday, but the airline sent a message suggesting three hours at the airport because security queues have been long. [RAVI]: Are you really going that early? [LUCY]: Probably. I'd rather have coffee after security than watch the clock in the car. My sister thinks two hours is plenty, so we've agreed on something in between. I've checked in online and only have one bag to drop. Oh, and I've downloaded my boarding pass, though I'll keep a paper copy because my phone battery has a habit of becoming dramatic on travel days. My sister has space in her boot for the suitcase, though she has warned me not to bring the large one.