Temporary Duties

From Blushes 39 Brrrinnnggg. Brrinnnnggg. The phone. Again. Stanley Cardew mutters an expletive under his breath. He has only just replaced the receiver. With an anguished expression he picks it up again. It is a good job he is not an excitable man. ‘Hello. Cardew Partners.’ Forcing his voice into polite, sympathetic tones. He listens. Rolling his eyes. He has heard it before, so many times. The basic problem is that demand greatly exceeds supply. One might imagine in broadly economic terms that for a supplier this would be an ideal situation. But it is not. It simply creates unending hassle, agitation, aggravation. ‘I’m very sorry.’ The tones are kept meek and apologetic. ‘I’m afraid we simply do not have anyone. At the moment.’ There follows the usual response. No one will accept this answer. They all assume there is at least one who must be free. One who is being kept for an especially favoured client. And why should she b...