５  Making Arrangements

Joanna: Here you are.

Ben: Thanks very much. What time do you want to get to Brussels, Joanna?

Joanna: Well, the meeting starts at eleven o’clock. So I have to be in Brussels by about ten. Sonia,...

Sonia: Yes?

Joanna: You’re going to Brussels, aren’t you?

Sonia: No I’m not hove to do some more work on that travel company account ... you know ... omnitour. Mike asked me.

Joanna: Oh. Well, it’s a shame you are not going to Brussels.

Sonia: Yes.

Ben: There’s a flight at 8.05. And it arrives at 10.05.

Joanna: Why does it take two hours to fly to Brussels?

Ben: They’re an hour ahead.

Joanna: Of course. OK. The eight oh five? Yes, that’s fine.

Ben: And are you coming back the same day?

Joanna: I’m not sure. What time does the meeting finish?

Ben: Let me see ... it’s five thirty.

Joanna: Hmm. Who else is attending? Could I have a look, please? Oh, Francesca and Alessandro from Milan ... And they’re staying over for a budget review on Friday. I’d like to talk to them about the new campaign.

Ben: Shall I try to arrange dinner on evening?

Joanna: Yes, please. And if that’s OK, can book a room for me at the Hilton? We can eat at the hotel.

Ben: OK. Leave It with me.

Ben: Buongiorno. Posso parlare con Alessandro Fontana ... Si. ... Si. Va bene. Grazie. Buongiorno. Ben Morrison. Oh, hello, Alessandro. ...Yes, just a minute ago. ... It’s about your visit to Brussels. Would you and Francesca like to have dinner with Joanna on Thursday evening? ... Good. She’s probably staying at the Hilton. ... Oh right. Well that’s very convenient. ... OK. Thanks for calling. Bye.    Hello. Yes. I’d like to book a room, please, for next Thursday night, the twenty-fifth of October. ... Just the one night. ... One person.  ... It’s Joanna Castle. ... And could we have a non-smoking room, please? ... Thanks. ,,, Yes. Yes, that’s right. ... It’s a company account, Bluestream Advertising. ... Yes, OK, thank you very much. Bye.   The hotel’s fine. Alessandro and Francesca are staying there, too.

Joanna: Great.

Ben: So, when do you want to come back from Brussels? Friday morning? You’ve a meeting with Mike about Omnitour at eleven, remember.

Joanna: Yes, know. What time’s the first flight?

Ben: Hold on. First flight’s at 7.30. The next one’s at eleven oh five.

Joanna: The 7,30 then, suppose. The eleven oh five’s a bit late.

Ben: Are you sure? It means leading the hotel at about six in the morning.

Joanna: Yes, you’re right. Make it the eleven oh five. But check with Mike that we can start later.

Ben: OK. I’ll see to that. Good morning, Ben Morrison:... Yes, just a minute, please. It’s for you. It’s Steve Newton.

Joanna: Oh, I wonder what he wants. Could you put him through to my desk, please, Ben?

Ben: Hello, Mr. Newton I’m just transferring you now.

Joanna: Hi, Steve. What can do for you?

Steve: I’m going to be in London next week. Would it be possible to meet for lunch?

Joanna: That would be nice. What day?

Steve: Thursday the ... er... twenty-fitth.

Joanna: Oh, I’m sorry. can’t make Thursday. I’m in Brussels that day. But I’m coming back on Friday morning. How about lunch a late on Friday?

Steve: No, that’s no good for me, I’m afraid. I’m flying out to Germany at eleven. Hmm. It is a bit difficult. You see, I’ve got some ideas for the new business, and I’d like to talk to you about them.

Joanna: Well, I can get an earlier flight from Brussels. It gets to London at about half past seven.

Steve: Yes, OK. Why don’t we do that? We can have breakfast at the airport.

Joanna: Sure.

Steve: Great. Thanks a lot. See you at the airport at about a quarter to eight on Friday then. Bye.

Joanna: Bye. Ben, can we change my return flight?