Last Friday afternoon I needed to contact Helping Hand to stop a contractor coming on Wednesday afternoon 6th October to deliver tall boys and tables and collecting our old ones. I wanted to reschedule.
Wednesdays I go on my Heart Foundation walk and once a month to an important lunch at the Glynde Hotel with friends.
I thought it would be easy to rearrange. About 2 pm I ring Helping Hand on my mobile. That would be right, on a loop you go. ‘Your call is important to us, you will be answered by the next available operator, blah blah…’
After a while another voice cuts in, ‘If you want to leave your name, number and a detailed message we will return your call.’ I listen for a few more minutes then decide to do as she says: name, number etc.
My friend Steve says ‘You haven’t a hope, they won’t return your call, they’re a semi-government organisation. They have gone for the long weekend.’ He’s right, my phone’s silent for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll try Tuesday.
On Tuesday, after a long delay I get to speak to a real live person. ‘Unfortunately,’ she says, ‘the coordinator’s taking an extra day off. Can you ring Wednesday?’
I’m writing my story Tuesday evening. If I can’t get through to the coordinator in the morning I’m still going to my lunch, but I won’t be popular with Jane if all these contractors turn up. Wish me well!
Burnside Writers Group 