Big City Small World:Family Matters

Olivia: Hey, Harry! How’s it going?

Harry: Not bad, thanks.

Olivia: Are you a millionaire yet?

Harry: Eh? What? Oh ... Fadi’s “FindLondon” business. Actually it’s going pretty well – we’ve set up a website and now we’re taking lots of enquiries, there’s a lot of interest. But I’m only an investor, you know. It’s not my real job.

Olivia: Sounds even better – if you can make money without working!

Harry: Yeah! I guess that’s the plan. That’s Fadi’s plan anyhow! But, as your friend Magda says, there’s more to life than money.

Olivia: Well, that’s certainly true.

Harry: I mean, I want to spend more time with Bindyu – that’s what makes me really happy ...

Olivia: Why don’t you just go out more together?

Harry: Well, we see each other most days ... but it’s not that ...

Olivia: What is it then?

Harry: I’d like to take our relationship a bit more seriously.

Olivia: But?

Harry: But she doesn’t want me to meet her parents.

Olivia: Oh, I see. Why not?

Harry: That’s just it. I don’t know really. I think she’s embarrassed by me, or ashamed of me ... or something ...

Olivia: No! That can’t be true! Why do you think that?

Harry: I don’t know. Perhaps I’m not rich enough, or successful enough. You know, I’m just an ordinary London guy. Anyhow, I must be off now – if you see Bindyu, let her know I was looking for her!

Olivia: Will do! Bye!

Bindyu: Hey there!

Olivia: Hello! Oh, Harry was just in here looking for you.

Bindyu: I knew it! I meant to catch him – but just missed him!

Olivia: He was talking about you, actually.

Bindyu: Oh yeah? All good things I hope.

Olivia: Yes, but ...

Bindyu: But? You mean there’s a “but”?

Olivia: Yeah. He thinks you’re not taking the relationship as seriously as he wants.

Bindyu: Oh no! That’s not true ... Why does he think that?

Olivia: He thinks you don’t want him to meet your family.

Bindyu: Oh, I see. It’s not that I don’t want him to meet my parents, it’s just that it’s ...

Olivia: What?

Bindyu: It’s just difficult, that’s all.

Olivia: Why?

Bindyu: Well ... you know ... We’re so different ... from different backgrounds ... and my family are very traditional.

Olivia: I see ... Still, perhaps you should try.

Bindyu: Yeah – maybe you’re right. I’ll try.