One has to read the implied understanding that there
might be an agreement, so the fact that it will only take a few light years is close ... by French standards. I'm sure the Germans know that!
I recently submitted a candidature for a position in a French local agency to be filled "immediately" - closing date 19th July. Having had the usual zero-respose and it being T+10d, I 'phoned them this morning to find out what point the selection/decision process had got to. "I've printed off your submission," said the secretary. "We'll be considering all the applications ... in September."
