Tuesday, 9.57am
Klaus Hartleben
I'm sorry but Kathy isn't able to get to the phone right now so please leave your message after the tone. Thank you.
Hi Kath, it's Steve. Sorry about last night - I know how much you wanted to go to Joe's party and I know he's a mate of yours but I had to work late again. You won't believe the time I got home - gone ten thirty! I was shattered. Anyway, I'll make it up to you, I promise. OK, so I've been saying that for the past month, but it's been so busy at work. See you on Saturday night at the pub as usual? Love you.
Wednesday, 11am
Kathy, it's Steve again. Thanks for calling earlier. I was a bit surprised you went to the party on your own, but at least I don't feel quite so bad about letting you down again. I hope you said Happy Birthday to Joe for me. Did you like the flowers I sent? Roses - your favourite. Let's have lunch together. We could meet at our special place in the park and then go for a pizza. See you there around one thirty? Look, got to go, expecting an urgent call. Bye.
Wednesday, 4.13pm
This is Kath's answerphone. I'm either in the bath, on the loo or out somewhere. So leave a message after the tone - unless your name's Steve!
Kath, I'm really sorry about lunch. I hope you didn't get too wet, waiting in the rain and I know you hate eating alone so I don't blame you for being annoyed with me. But there was an emergency meeting at work and I couldn't get away. Honestly, I'm as fed up about it as you are. Are we still on for Saturday?
Wednesday, 7.33pm
Since you haven't called, I expect you're still mad at me. Please believe how sorry I am. Love you lots. Oh, by the way, I bumped into Joe and he said I missed a great party on Tuesday. He also said you looked great - I'm a lucky guy!
Wednesday, 9pm
Kath - have you forgiven me yet? I have to go to Manchester on business early tomorrow, but I'll leave my mobile switched on in case you decide to ring. Bye, love.
Thursday, 6.57pm
I'm back, Kath, and I really miss you. Why haven't you called? OK, so I forgot to recharge the batteries on the mobile, but you could have left a message at the office. Anyway, see you soon.
Thursday, 8.45pm
Kath, it's me, love. Hope there's nothing wrong. I thought you might have called me tonight, but you're obviously out somewhere. Again. Are we still on for Saturday? Call you later.
Thursday, 11.15pm
Me again. I'm beginning to feel like I'm having a relationship with your answering machine. Where are you? Call me when you get in. Miss you.
Thursday, midnight
Kath - Steve. Call me.
Friday, 4.31pm
I tried four times to ring you last night. Where the hell where you? Surely you didn't stay out all night? If I was the suspicious type, I'd be wondering if you were bonking some other bloke. Just joking! Look forward to seeing you tomorrow night. Bye.
Sunday, 8am
Kathy, this is Steve. What happened last night? I waited until nine thirty but you didn't turn up. I felt a right pillock, sitting at the table munching the contents of the bread basket and drinking wine alone. It isn't like you to keep me waiting. Is everything OK? I'm getting worried. Please call me.
Sunday, 3pm
It's Steve. What's going on, Kath? Don't tell me you're still angry with me? I hate sulky women. If you stood me up on purpose to make a point, well, point taken. But we should talk about this. Call me, damn it!
Sunday, 3.23pm
Kathy, this is Steve. If you're there, pick up the bloody phone. Katherine?
Sunday, 3.25pm
This is the answerphone for Kathy - oh, and Joe. We're in bed right now, but if you want to leave a message please wait for the tone.
Elizabeth Cage - bio info
A published writer since her early teens, Elizabeth Cage has mainly been writing erotica since 1999. Her stories, poems and articles have appeared in many magazines including Scarlet, Desire, Forum, For Women, and her fiction regularly appears in the anthologies and e-books from Xcite.