In fact Arthur has no twin brother but he has a father, a mother and a teenage sister, Jennifer. Arthur’s father is a doctor in a village in Berkshire called Applefield. It’s a small village with no many people and it’s only a few miles from reading. Arthur’s parents have a small house between the church and the village pub.
It’s Thursday morning in Middleford and Arthur’s in the kitchen. He isn’t late today - he’s early. This morning he has time for breakfast. It’s only half past seven and so he can have a lot of things for breakfast.
Now Mrs Harrison’s bringing in the post. There aren’t many letters this morning; there are only two - one for Mrs Harrison and one for Arthur. Arthur’s letter is from his parents. There’s a party at Arthur’s parents’ house on Sturday. It’s Jennifer’s birthday and she’s seventeen; so Arthur must go home for the weekend.
Arthur is now taking his wallet out of his pocket. How much money is there in it? There isn’t very much - in fact there’s very little. How much is the fare to Applefield? It’s 2 pounds 20 return and 1 pound 10 single. He must pay Mrs Harrison and he must pay about 3 pounds for Jennifer’s birthday present.
***
Arthur is at the booking office at Middleford Town station.
- A single to Applefield, please. How much is that?
- It’s 1 pound 10.
- Which platform is it?
- It’s platform four. You must change at Reading.
- Thanks very much. Goodbye.
- Hey! Your change!
- Oh, sorry. Thanks a lot.
***
- Oh dear, this train is full. I can’t find an empty seat at all. There aren’t any seats in this compartment … and there aren’t any in this one either … and this one’s full too. I must try the next carriage … This one isn’t too bad and this compartment’s almost empty. There’s only one girl in it … Excuse me, is this seat free?
- No, I’m afaid not. That’s my friend’s seat but there’s lots of room here. All these seats are free.
- Oh, good. By the way, this is the Reading train, isn’t it?
- That’s right. My friend and I are going there. Ah, here she is.
- Mary! What are you doing here?
- Oh, hallo, Arthur. This is my friend, Sheila. We're going to her aunt's in Applefield.
- Well, isn't that funny? I'm going there too. My father's the doctor there, actually. It's my sister's birthday tomorrow.
- Oh, how many brothers and sisters have you got?
- Only Jennifer. I haven't got any brothers. Ah, good. The train's leaving.
- That's good. How many stops are there before Reading?
- Oh, there aren't many. There are only a few becuse this is a fast train. But there are a lot of stops on the one from Reading to Applefield.
- Is there a buffet car on this train, Arthur?
- No, there isn't one on this train, unfortunately.
- Oh, isn't there? Oh dear, I must have a cup of tea soon.
- Yes, I'm thirsty too … Look, we're stopping and there's a buffet on the platform. Arthur?
- Yes?
- We must have some tea.
- Oh, must I go? Oh, all right. Sugar?
- Not for me, but lots for Sheila.
***
Now Arthur is at the buffet on the platform.
- Three teas, please … Can you hurry, please?
- I've only got one pair of hands.
- Oh God! The train's leaving! And my bag's on the train; my coat's on the train and my ticket's in my overcoat pocket and …
- Here are your teas.
