live: Hello, Edwina, is it? Have a seat.
Edwina: Yes, Edwina. Thanks. I’m looking for a job as a nanny. I like working with children. I talked to you yesterday?
Clive: Oh, yes. Well, we covered most of the ground on the phone yesterday. I’ve got a form I need to complete for my records. So, you’re Edwina Riley, and how should we contact you?
Edwina: By email.I check it regularly.
Clive: What’s the address?
Edwina: (1) It’s Edwina like my name then R-l, the first two letters of my surname, at worldnet dot com.
Clive: E-D-W-l-N-A-R-l at worldnet dot com?
Edwina: Yes.
Clive: Good. And you’re from Australia?
Edwina: (2) Actually, I’m a New Zealander.
Clive: Oh, I’m sorry. I bet it’s really irritating being told you’re an Australian. Like Canadians being asked what part of the States they’re from.
Edwina: I’m used to it. It happens to us all the time.
Clive: And now, you said on the phone that you could bring me some references? One from someone who’s known you in a professional capacity and one personal one?
Edwina: Ah, yeah. Here’s one from (3) John Keen, who was the manager at the play centre in Wellington where I worked for three years after I left school. It’s got all his contact details on.
Clive: Thank you. So this was your last employer?
Edwina: Yes, apart from a bit of waitressing recently, but that was just temporary. I’m sure John will answer any questions if you contact him.
Clive: We do run checks, yes. And a personal reference?
Edwina: Ah, you can contact the friend of my mother’s I’m staying with here in London: (4) Eileen Dorsini. She’s a professor. She’s known me all my life because she used to be our neighbour back home when she was a primary school teacher there. Now she’s working here at the Institute of Education.
Clive: Oh good! Edwina: I’ve got her contact details here for you.
Clive: Thanks. I think I have some jobs to suit you. Oh, do you have any practical qualifications, by the way? Life-saving, music,
anything?
Edwina: Um, (5) I’ve got an up-to-date first aid certificate. I did a course when I was working.
Clive: That’s good. First aid. Anything else?
Edwina: Well, I’ve got a driving licence, as I told you on the phone.
But that’s not special, you said, almost everyone needs that really. (6) I’ve got a sailing qualification, it’s a certificate of competence.
Clive: So you’re a yachtswoman?
Edwina: I love sailing.
Clive: Well, I’ll note you have a certificate. Hmm. Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10.
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Clive: Now, as I mentioned yesterday, there are three families and the job description is much the same for all of them, as I explained. There are a few other things you need to know. Anyway, the first family’s here in London.
Edwina: Yes, I did make a few notes. London, er, that’s the Bentons? With two children?
Clive: Yes. That’s right, a girl of three and her brother who’s eight. The little boy has a quite serious food allergy. Did you learn about things like that on your course?
Edwina: Oh, well, I know what to do if someone has an allergic reaction.
Clive: Good, but (7) what they mainly want is someone with an interest in sport, as that’s the kind of family they are.
Edwina: Oh that’s OK. I’ll enjoy that.
Clive: Good. Now the next people are in the country, near Oxford.
Edwina: Oh yeah, the Grangers?
Clive: So, (8) they have twin boys of five, who are a bit of a handful, I suspect, but it’s a lovely place, quite a grand house, and the family is extremely welcoming. They keep horses. Do you ride?
Edwina: I did when I was younger. I like animals generally.
Clive: Well, ‘animal-lover’ was their special request, so you’d be fine there. The last family …
Edwina: Yes?
Clive: I don’t think I told you (9) they live in Scotland.
Edwina: Really? What’s their name?
Clive: Campbell.
Edwina: Oh, yes. And they have four girls under ten?
Clive: That’s it. They have a lovely city fiat, and they own a small island.
Edwina: Wow!
Clive: Actually, you might get on with them very well. (10) They particularly wanted someone who would be prepared to cook when they go camping on the island.