Kristy has just been chatting to three of her friends on the phone. Now she is depressed and needs cheering up. Why? Each of her friends has had bad new to give Kristy and she feels upset about what they have told her. But there is nothing she can do. Listen to the phone conversations she’s just had. First, Kristy spoke to Jane, then to Bobby and finally to Jenny.
Case 1
Kristy: You know, we haven’t spoken for over a week. I called you twice at the weekend and once last night, and you haven’t been answering your calls. I left messages each time and you didn’t get back to me. I was getting worried.
Jane: I do apologise. It’s my fault. I should have got back to you, but my life has been in turmoil since last Friday night. I haven’t known which way to turn.
Kristy: Why? Whatever’s happened? Are you ill?
Jane: No, no. It’s not me. It’s my dad. He was involved in a car crash on Friday night driving back home. A lorry came out of a side street and crashed right into his car.
Kristy: Oh no! Is he okay?
Jane: We don’t know. The car was completely destroyed. Dad was lucky to be alive after the accident. An ambulance was on the scene quickly and he was taken to hospital. Mum and I have been there with him most of the time since Friday. I have hardly slept a wink these past few days. I’m exhausted.
Kristy: Goodness. You must be shattered. How is your dad now?
Jane: As I say, we just don’t know. He has broken both legs and he’s been unconscious since the accident. The doctors aren’t saying much. I don’t suppose they can. We are just waiting for something to happen. It’s terrible. Mum is in a right state as you can imagine. We just don’t know what to do. I feel so helpless.
Case 2
Kristy: Hi, Bobby. Nice to hear from you. How are you?
Bobby: Don’t ask!
Kristy: Where are you? You don’t sound like you're at home. I can hear people chattering. Are you still at school at this time of night?
Bobby: You will never believe this. I’m at Accident and Emergency. I’ve been here for four hours. It’s been a nightmare.
Kristy: Why? What’s happened? Are you okay?
Bobby: I’m not bad now that they’ve patched me up. I’m just about to leave and go home. You should have seen me when I got here. I thought they would keep me in all night.
Kristy: What have you done?
Bobby: I walked into a glass door at my school just as I was leaving. They have installed new doors at the end of the corridor that leads to the entrance from the science labs. Two new glass doors. I knew they were there. We all know they are there. But they aren’t fire doors so they are usually kept open. I was merrily walking along to go home and didn’t see the doors were closed. I walked straight into them. What a mess. There was blood all over the place. I've given my face a real bashing.
Kristy: Oh, no! Do you want me to come and meet you and help you get home?
Bobby: No, thanks. I’ll get a taxi. I just look a bit of a mess. I’ve knocked my two front teeth out, and had some stitches in my forehead. I’ll give you a call when I get home. But don’t worry! I’ll be okay.
Case 3
Kristy: Hi, Jenny. Have you thought more about where the two of us are going to take Mark for his birthday next month? You said we should book an expensive restaurant. It will be nice to treat him to a posh dinner.
Jenny: I’m afraid I’m going to have to back out on that one, Kristy. I’m having a few financial problems at the moment and there’s no way I can afford dinner at an expensive restaurant.
Kristy: But it was your suggestion in the first place.
Jenny: I know. I know. But that was last month. I didn’t mention it to you because I didn’t want you to be concerned. But four people in my dad's office are going to lose their jobs at the end of this month. We knew this might happen but I was hoping he wouldn’t have to go.
Kristy: Why didn’t you say something?
Jenny: I just didn’t want to talk about it until it happened. Well, it has and he's one of the unlucky ones. He's not going to be able to give me my allowance for a while.
Kristy: He’ll get another job quickly. He's great at work he does. In the meantime, do you need me to lend you any money? All my relatives were really generous last Lunar New Year.