RC.

Ch5 ........... K

Last night, I met Lisa and her colleagues at a bar for a drink. I don't know them very well.

(I like girl's nights out.)

I love girl's nights. In truth, We do have a good laugh together ...

Lydia obviously gossiped and it was all as far-fetched as usual but, when you don't take it literally, it can be kinda funny.

Lisa and I gave each other the knowing looks as she babbled.

As I check my e-mails, the phone rings.

T:"Mr. Carter's assistant, may I help you ...?"

Water company:"Miss White it's Paul from the water and sanitation company in Congo."

(I say hi warmly. And ask him how things are?)

T:"Yes, Paul, hello. How's the construction work going on?"

Water company:"Well ... It's on fire ..."

T:"What do you mean?"

(There's been a delay?)

(The construction site has burned down ?!)

Water company:"It's crazy ... I don't understand ..."

T:"What's going on Paul?"

Water company:"The plant was sabotaged during the night ..."

(What ?!)

T:"Sabotaged ?!"

Water company:"Yes ... We're going to have to start some of it over ... The equipment was badly damaged in places, we'll need a shipment ..."

(Oh no...)

It can't be!!

T:"How much of it, exactly?"

Water company:"I'll make a complete estimate but, unfortunately, it looks like it'll take several months to get everything back on track ..."

T:"It's going to take months!!"

Water company:"Yes, at least ... The team and I are really sorry ... Mr. Carter had done so much to save time ..."

(But who could possibly want to sabotage the plant?!)

T:"Do you have a lead on who might be behind all this?"

Water company:"It's hard to say ... The villagers didn't see anything, we discovered the state of the site this morning ... I called you right away."

Carter is going to go mad. He'd invested himself personally on this project ...

T:"I'll inform Mr. Carter as soon as possible and let you know!"

Water company:"Thank you, Miss White. We're going to start clearing up and see what can be salvaged ..."

The poor guy is completely horrified.

(I be encouraging.)

T:"Don't worry, we'll find a solution."

Water company:"Yes..."

(To be honest I'm horrified too)

I am too ... Months of work for nothing ... Who could be stupid enough to screw it all up, a project aiming to help poor people?! ...

T:"Speak to you soon, Paul ..."

As I hang up, I'm overcome with anger. It's crazy! There's always some idiot to spoil everything!

How to break it to Carter ...?

(Call him? Or, send him an e-mail?)

I decided to call him. I can't see myself telling him by mail ...

It goes straight to voicemail ... Damn.

I leave him a message: "Mr. Carter, it's Miss White. I got a call from the water company in Congo. Could you call me back as soon as possible? Thank you."

I sigh. I know he won't be happy...