Which option is more natural in the following situation?

[tulipflower]

I’m sorry but the pictures are not ready yet.

You are a professional photographer. Last month you took many pictures at a company party. You promised that the prints would be ready for the next company newsletter. The editor of the newsletter comes into your office to pick up the prints but they’re not ready now.


​

a) I’m sorry but the pictures are not ready yet. Could you call me up before you come here? I’m sure I’ll get them down by this afternoon.
​

b)

Oh, I’m very sorry but the prints are not ready now. I’ll have them ready by this afternoon.
​

c) I’m sorry. They’re not ready.

I've receive different answers asking one native speaker and some proficient Iranian English teachers. Which option do you think is more natural in this situation? The Iranian teachers have chosen 'a'.

​

 

[andrewg927]

Since you only want to know a or b, I'd go with b.

 

[GoesStation]

Asking the customer to call before coming, on the date the work was promised, gives option A a note of implied blame which is not appropriate.