A nice cock-up to have

We, it has to be said, were at home to Mr Cock-Up in the office the other day.

It wasn't a bad cock-up, just funny, which is nice.  But it did make me smile because it simply proved what an eejit me human Richard is.

So here's the story.

It's January and I'm the principle woofer in an accountancy practice which means I'm busier than usual directing me staff as we deal with a million tax returns.  Here I am really making sure everyone is on top of their game:

At the beginning of the month me other human, Renee, met with a lady.  The lady handed over her records and they were passed to Richard to work on.

The process was repeated with another lady a day or so later and this work was handed to Stewart to complete.

All good so far and everything was under control, work done and tax returns completed.

So, on Thursday, lady 1 (who we'll call Rita) booked an appointment to sign her return at 10am on Friday.  Lady 2 (Sharon) didn't.

10am on Friday arrived and it was bedlam in the office: our new sharer, Graham from Contempo Lettings (www.contempolettings.co.uk/contact-us/contempo-edinburgh-south.html), had a client in, Renee was meeting with a new client, the window cleaners were in and then a lady walked in through the door and said she was here to sign her tax return.

'Ah', says Alan.  'You're our 10 o'clock!'

Renee still had her previous client so said to the person we had in reception 'Hi Rita.  I'm just with someone so I'll introduce you to Richard who'll talk you through your tax return.'

'Oh, okay,' says the lady smiling, 'No problem at all.'

Richard, with me padding softly behind him to make sure he did the job right, smiles at the lady and takes through into our Board Room.

'Okay, Rita, let's talk you through you tax return.'

At this point things got a little confusing.

'My name's Sharon,' says lady 2 in response.

'Oh,' says Richard.  'Do people just call you Rita?'  His voice tailed off slightly... 'Maybe as a nickname?'

'Not that I know of, my name is Sharon.'

Ah... Mr Cock-up was knocking on the door.

But not to worry, cos quick as a flash, with a mind like a steel trap, Richard grasped the situation.  'So, you don't have an appointment at 10?'

'No.  I was passing and you'd called a couple of days ago to say my return was done.  I thought I'd drop in on the off chance.'

'Right-e-o... so you don't want to sign a return for someone called Rita?'

'Not really.'

Richard left the meeting room to go and print the correct tax return form just as another lady was coming through the door.

'Hi,' says she to Alan.  'My name is Rita and I have an appointment to sign my tax return at 10 this morning.'

Don't worry, it all worked out in the end.  Richard explained he was with another customer and Rita kindly agreed to wait... 

But Sharon asked for a little time to digest her tax figures, which is fine.  Richard used the time wisely: he took Rita into our third meeting room and explained her figures to her.

Rita was delighted, signed the return straight away and left a happy woman.

Back to Sharon in the Board Room... she, by now had had the opportunity to digest the figures and was happy with her tax bill.  (Or at least accepting).  She also signed her return and left.

Phew!

Disaster averted and it all worked out in the end.  I'm glad Ricky Boy passed the little test I set him.