Annie had arranged to go out after work.

Rosie：Oh，Annie，you still here?
Annie：Yeah，I am.
Rosie：But I thought you were going out tonight?
Annie：I’m supposed to be，yes.
Rosie：Well，hasn’t Blain appeared?
Annie：No，he’s not turned up yet.
Rosie：Well，when did he say he’d come?
Annie：Three quarters of an hour ago.
Rosie：Ooh，it’s quarter to six，yeah!
Annie：I know. It’s not like him. is it?
Rosie：No，it’s not. He’s the one who likes being early, isn’t he?
Annie：Mm，exactly. That’s why I’m a bit worried really.
Rosie：Well，how do you mean?
Annie：Well，he might’ve had an accident or something. Don’t you think?
Rosie：Is there anywhere you can ring up?
Annie：I’ve tried. I’ve tried phoning the office…he’s not there…they said he’s left.
Rosie：So…
Annie：I’ve tried phoning the flat…he’s not there. either.
Rosie：It looks as if he’s on his way then. Well，the traffic’s very heavy.
Annie：Mm.
Rosie：He’s probably been delayed.
Annie：Maybe. Maybe not.
Rosie：Well. what do you think?
Annie: Well … you see, the thing is, we … you know how I’m always late, and how he hates it.
Rosie: Mm.
Annie: Well, we went to a concert the other night…, he and Helen and I. And … I was a bit late because I’d to wash my hair, and we got there fifteen minutes late…
Rosie: Oh, Annie!
Annie: … and he was absolutely furious. And he said that, you know, he wasn’t going to put up with it much longer. I mean, he really does get angry about it.
Rosie: And you think he might be showing you what it’s like?
Annie: I don’t know. I mean, I hope that’s all it is, but he did say…
Rosie: I don’t think he’d be like that.
Annie: … if I did it again, he’d … oh, you don’t know.
Rosie: He’d be what?
Annie: Well, he’d just have to think about calling it a day.
Rosie: Oh, Annie, he’s only just trying to make you pull your socks up, that’s what he’s trying to do!
Annie: Well, maybe he means it, Rosie.
Rosie: No, he likes you!
Annie: I don’t know.
Rosie: He’s a lovely fellow.
Annie: I know that.
Rosie: He wouldn’t do that. Something’s delayed him, that’s what happened!
Annie: I don’t know what to do. I mean, how much longer should I sit here?
Rosie: Look, no more. I tell you what. We’ll go … we’ll go round the corner and have a coffee, round … round to the café…
Annie: Well, supposing he phones. Rosie?
Rosie: No, well, you can leave … er … you can leave a little note in case he calls … er … Elsie’s still on the switchboard, if he rings in, you can leave a message with her, and if he calls in, he’l 1 see your note, and if we come back and find he hasn’t been here, or there’s no message…
Annie: But supposing he’s had an accident? Supposing somebody phones from the hospital?
Rosie: Well, let’s try this first.
Annie: Mm.
Rosie: We’ll try this first. If anyone gets in touch here, we’ll know.
Annie: Yeah, all right then.
Rosie: And we’ll have to take it from there if he hasn’t turned up, but you can’t go on sitting here chewing your nails.
Annie: No. All fight. Okay, thanks a lot. Do you mind?
Rosie: No, not a bit. Here’s a bit of paper.
Annie: OK, thanks.
Rosie: Here you are. Shall I go and ask Elsie to take any message?
Annie: I’ll do it on the way out. Don’t worry.
Rosie: All right then.
Annie: Thanks, Rosie, Thanks a lot.
Rosie: Come on, come on, let’s go and get a cup of coffee.
Annie: Okay. Thank you.