P for Phoebe
(Monday morning. Imran phones Hilltop Vets in Bristol.)
Linda: Hilltop Vets, Linda speaking.
Imran: Hi. I’d like to book an appointment for my cat, please. She’s stopped eating.
Linda: Oh dear. What’s her name?
Imran: Phoebe.
(Linda types.)
Linda: Phoebe… sorry, love, I can’t find her. Is she new?
Imran: No, she’s been with you for four years.
Linda: Let me check again. F, double E, B, E. No, nothing.
Imran: Ah, that’s the problem. It doesn’t start with an F. It’s spelled P-H-O-E-B-E.
Linda: P-H? Oh, of course, like phone.
Imran: Everyone does it. It’s a Greek name.
Linda: P… H… O… E… B… E. Oh, here she is! Phoebe, grey cat, four years old.
Imran: That’s her.
Linda: Right. Our first available appointment is tomorrow at ten. Is that okay?
Imran: Perfect, thanks.
Linda: Lovely. I’ll put her in the diary for the vet. Tomorrow, ten o’clock, Phoebe. F…
Imran: Linda!
Linda: Sorry, love! P-H. I know, I know.
(They both laugh.)