‘Morning Mr Pendleton, it’s Clarissa here. Did you have a good ... cough...Christmas?’
‘Yes thanks, did you?’
‘Lovely ... cough, splutter...thanks. Umm...afraid I’ve caught a bug. Don’t think I can...cough...come into work today.’
‘Alright then...take care’
‘Oh! Thanks a lot Mr Pendleton’.
Hangs up.
His inner thoughts: ‘Gosh she’s a good actress, how come she’s always ill just before or after the weekend? A weak constitution or binge drinker perhaps. Anyway she’s fun and gorgeous - adds a pinch of spice to my boring job ...she’s the one thing that gets me out of bed each morning. So she’s worth it!’