Twenty Nine

….and I said I would very much like to go to a Prom because I have never been to the Royal Albert Hall and perhaps Renee Fleming will be singing and/….you need to place the sheet face down in the scanner Nadine, that’s right, it’s face down in the scanner but face up in the fax….. and she said that maybe we could go for a walk by the Serpentine beforehand because it looks beautiful on a summer evening and…. I do like your shoes by the way….. where did you get them from if you don’t mind my/
‘Excuse me? Hello. My name is Michael Leary and this is Tim Robertson. We’ve come for a meeting with Simon Lewis’.
Good morning Michael. Good morning Tim. I’m George.
‘Do you have an appointment?’
Yes they do. Don’t worry Nadine. I shall deal will this. Simon is expecting you. Just follow me upstairs’.
‘George! Not again. What are you doing in reception?’
Hello Pips. I thought you were in the toilet. I am just meeting and greeting the clients because Nadine is a little overwhelmed with/
‘Hello. You must be Michael…?’
‘Leary. Yes. And this is Tim Robertson’.
‘Hi. I’m Philippa, Simon’s PA. I was just copying a report and I didn’t realise…. have you been waiting long?’
‘No, we’ve just arrived’.
‘I’m sorry. George is mine and he’s not supposed to be down here…’.
‘Oh I think he’s got everything under control, haven’t you George?’
I have Michael. If it wasn’t for me this organisation would go under there’s so little organisation.
‘We’re a little early so if/’
‘No no, Simon is ready for you. His previous meeting finished a short while ago so I’ll take you up’.
He was playing about with his iPod just now actually Michael. It was one of the busier moments of his day.
‘Good. We’ll follow you and George then’.


‘Simon? Michael Leary and Tim Robertson are here’.
‘Hi! Morning. Simon Lewis. Good morning’.
‘How do you do’.
‘Morning’.
‘Nice to meet you. Come on in. Thanks Philippa. You’ve met her dog already I see’.
‘Yes, he introduced himself to us at the reception’.
‘Of course. No surprise there. It gets everywhere. Shame he doesn’t also make teas and coffees, then Philippa would be completely off the hook!’
‘Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha….’
‘Come on in and I’ll close the door……. I actually rather regret telling her she could get/


‘George you know you’re not supposed to be in reception’.
I was telling Nadine that we are going to go to the Proms and how thrilled I am at the prospect because I have never been to the Royal Albert Hall.
‘It’s really unprofessional to have you wandering around and getting under the temp’s feet’.
Her name is Nadine, Pips, and I was only helping her out/
‘She’s got enough to deal with without you pestering her’.
because no-one had bothered to explain to her what she is supposed to be doing. By the way she has smashing shoes. Why don’t you have any shoes like hers? You never wear heels.
‘OK so I’ve got to ring up the drycleaners again about Simon’s suit that they’ve lost, I’ve got to call the courier company who delivered our proposal on the wrong service so we missed the submission deadline and…. I had something else to do. Oh yes, I’ve got to call India to complain about being given the wrong train times for Simon yesterday which meant he arrived late at that meeting he couldn’t be late for. So…. who shall I call first? Oh actually let’s book the tickets to the Proms quickly while Simon is in his meeting….’
So is Renee Fleming singing Pips? I would very much like to see her. Rupert used to listen to her sometimes and/
‘Sorry to interrupt Philippa, can you make us some coffees?’
Simon I know perfectly well what you were saying to Michael and Tim as you closed the door. I just want you to know that. In future you should make sure that the door is closed before you say something like that. It’s not polite. And we will make your coffees after we have booked to see Renee Fleming at the Proms because the world does not revolve around you.