Part 1: Vacation Cottage Rental

the week beginning September 21st, if it’s available.

Dave: Let me check.

Dave: No, I’m sorry.

Dave: It’s already booked that week.

Dave: You could have it the previous week, from the 14th.

Woman: Well, we could manage that week.

Woman: If we change a couple of arrangements, how much would it cost?

Dave: That would be $835.

Woman: Ah, that’s rather more than we wanted to pay, I’m afraid.

Woman: We were hoping to pay closer to $790, which our friends paid last year.

Dave: We also have a slightly smaller cottage called Perrywinkle Cottage.

Woman: Excuse me?

Woman: How do you spell the name?

Dave: P-E-R-I-W-I-N-K-L-E.

Dave: Perrywinkle.

Dave: It’s available the week you want it, and it’s the exact same price that your friends paid last year.

Dave: I take it you want a place that sleeps just two people, like Aster Cottage?

Woman: Yes.

Woman: Is it near Aster Cottage?

Dave: Yeah.

Dave: It’s right across the street.

Woman: And what’s this cottage like?

Dave: Well, it’s part of a historic building that was originally a school a hundred years ago.

Dave: It was converted into a post office around 1950.

Dave: Then, later on, the post office moved, and the building was divided to make two cottages.

Woman: So, is it on several floors?

Dave: No, it’s all on one floor.

Dave: There’s a large living room, a kitchen that’s really well-equipped, a bedroom, and a bathroom with a tub and a shower.

Woman: Very nice

Dave: From the living room, you can go out onto the deck, which is a great place to have your meals when the weather’s nice.

Woman: That sounds fantastic.

Woman: Can you see the river that flows through the town from the cottage?

Dave: You sure can.

Dave: It’s close by.

Dave: You can see it from the bedroom.

Woman: Okay.

Woman: Uh, would we need to bring anything, bedding, say?

Dave: That’s provided.

Dave: But we make a small charge for towels, unless you bring your own, of course.

Woman: Oh, okay.

Woman: I’ll do that.

Woman: Uh, because we’ll be driving, there’ll be plenty of room in the car for things like that.

Woman: Oh, that reminds me.

Woman: Is there a garage that we can use?

Dave: I’m afraid there isn’t one.

Dave: Uh, but you can usually get a parking spot on the street right in front of the cottage.

: No problem.

Woman: We probably won’t use the car much while we’re there anyway.

Woman: We like to go for walks.

Woman: Oh, and what about the town itself?

Woman: Are there any restaurants in the neighborhood?

Dave: There are a few, all within walking distance.

Dave: A lot of people like the fish restaurant, but in my opinion, the Chinese restaurant has got to be the best for miles around.

Woman: That’s good to know.

Woman: We might end up eating out every evening.

Dave: Well, why not?

Woman: Our friend said the town is pretty famous for antique stores.

Dave: That’s right.

Dave: There’s a whole bunch of them, at least ten on the main street.

Woman: Marvelous.

Woman: Okay, I’d like to make the booking, please.

Dave: Great.

Dave: We ask for a deposit of $200 and final payment at least six weeks before you stay.

Dave: But we’ll be away ourselves for much of August, so let’s say no later than the last day of July.

Dave: Is that okay with you?

Woman: Fine.

Dave: Okay.

Dave: Then let me give you our details so you can send the deposit.