Episode 11: Phoning the landlord

Helen:	Hi, dad it’s Helen
Dad:	Hello my dear, how are you?
Helen:	Studying hard as ever, dad. Can I ask you something as our landlord? Our lease says that we’re not allowed animals in the flat. Well, is there a way that we could get around that? You see, Alice found this kitten and everyone really wants to keep her.
Dad:	You have a cat in my flat? Oh Helen, why can’t you ever obey the rules?
Helen:	Oh dad! Please, won’t you bend them for me?
Dad:	Well…
Helen:	Please!
Dad:	Just this once.
Tim:	Kitty, did you hear what I just heard? She called the landlord “dad”. What a dark horse Helen is!

Speaking tips

get around that: lách (luật)/ tìm cách/ giải pháp cho vấn đề (mang tính quy định/ luật lệ)

won’t you bend them for me? “ý nói ‘bố có thể nào điều chỉnh (quy định) cho con?'”

dark horse: a person who keeps their interests and ideas secret, especially someone who has a surprising ability or skill: người giữ bí mật về mình, không nói cho ai biết

 What a dark horse Helen is! “ý nói Helen giữ bí mật về bản thân mình với những bạn ở cùng”