Carmen poked her head into Isaac’s office.
“Dad?” she inquired. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, come in honey,” Isaac replied his face serious.
Carmen frowned a little as she closed the door behind her.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m afraid so. Your uncle Zac has been in an accident.”
“Oh! What happened?’
“Got hit by a car while on his motorcycle,” Isaac replied solemnly.
“Oh no!”
“They reckon he’s going to be okay,” Isaac assured her. “It’s serious, but not fatal, thank God.”
Carmen nodded. Isaac paused, and then continued slowly:
“Zac, ahh, Zac’s asked if you could take on IMHBITD for him.”
Carmen started.
“What?” she asked, surprised.
“Well, it’s going to be a couple of months before they’re even going to consider letting him out of the hospital,” Isaac replied. “So they kinda need someone to take on the show.”
“But... but me? I... I only did work experience on it a few years ago...”
“Zac was very impressed though.”
“Yes but...”
“It wouldn’t be that much different to what you already do with Sandy, except you would be on live television instead.”
“Oh, you say it wouldn’t be much different.”
Isaac chuckled.
“You don’t have to,” he assured her. “But remember, you’ll have a huge support team with you, and you can have a the guest hosts you want to share the burden with. Your Mum could help – she’s done this kind of thing before. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Carmen nodded slowly.
“How long do I have to think about it?”
“Just a day,” Isaac replied. “They need time to make arrangements for this weeks episode.”
Carmen paused and chewed her lip.
“Okay,” she said slowly. “I guess I’ll do it.”
“You guess?” Isaac asked, amused. “You don’t sound too sure.”
Carmen shrugged.
“The next episode is only a couple of days away. I’m sure I can hold down the fort for this episode. If I suck they still have time to get someone else for the next one.”
“I’m sure you won’t suck.”
“Yeah well, I just remember that you need a good deal of preparation time, and the more they waste finding a host the less time they have to prepare. So...” Carmen shrugged. “Besides, Uncle Zac’s the one in hospital, and if he thinks he can trust me with his show...”
Isaac smiled and gave his daughter a hug.
“You’ll do great,” he assured her.
“Thanks. I guess I’d better go pack then.”
“I’ll get you a flight.”
“Okay.”
She took a deep breath and left the office. As the door closed behind her, the first thought to cross her mind was; what have I gotten myself into?