Last weekend in Applefield Arthur was broke. It was the end of the month. But on the last Thursday of each months, Arthur gets his pay and today is Thursday, twenty-seventh June. It’s pay-day and Arthur’s happy. The weather’s fine and warm and Mr Steele is going to start his holiday on Monday 1st July. He’s going to be away until 15th July. Arthur is happy about this too.
So Arthur’s going to have some money this weekend. Mary’s not going to go out with Bruce; he’s still in hospital. His injuries weren’t serious but the doctors have not allowed him to get up. He’s going to stay in hospital for another ten days. Again, Arthur’s happy about this.
Last weekend wasn’t a great success for Arthur but this week is going to be different - Arthur hopes. The summer weather is good. It hasn’t rained for three weeks and the sun has shone all day today. Now it’s a beautiful evening; it’s not dark yet - the summer evenings are always light.
Mr Steele has just gone home. Arthur is locking the library doors and Mary’s finishing her last letter. She’s wearing a light summer dress and is looking very pretty.
***
- Have you locked up, Arthur?
- Yes, I’ve just done it. We can go home now, can’t we? It was a busy day today, wasn’t it? There were a lot of people in.
- I’m only going to be a few minutes. I‘ve just got this one letter. I’ve nearly finished it. There were a lot of letters yesterday but I haven’t had so many today.
- That’s all right. I’m in no hurry at all … I say, Mary, look. Actually … er … well, are you doing anything this evening?
- No, I’m not, as a matter of fact. Why?
- Well, it’s a lovely evening, isn’t it? Perhaps we can have a meal or something. It is pay-day, isn’t it?
- Well, what's the time?
- It’s seven o’clock.
- Hmm, I don’t know.
- Come on, Mary. We can go to that restaurant by the river. It’s lovely at this time of the year. We can sit outside. I expect it’s still quite warm.
- Oh, all right, but I mustn’t be too late. We must both work tomorrow, mustn’t we? I’m just going to give my mother a ring.
***
- That wasn’t a bad meal, was it?
- No, it was lovely. That was very nice of you, Arthur. Now I really must go home.
- Oh, it's only ten o’clock.
- No, really Arthur, I must be off.
- Well, look, Mary. What about Saturday? Would you like to come out with me on Saturday? We can go down the river on a boat and have a picnic, can't we?
- Saturday? That’s the twenty-nineth, isn’t it? Let’s see. Here’s my diary. Saturday, the twenty-nineth of June … hmm … Bruce. Well, he’s in hospital, isn’t he? Yes, all right then.
- Oh, lovely. Let’s meet outside the Town Hall at two o’clock, then.
- Yes, that’s all right.
***
- Oh, look. There’s Sheila and her brother, Michael. Hey, Sheila!
- Hallo, you two. Arthur you haven’t met my brother, Michael, have you?
- No, actually. How do you do?
- Hallo.
- Look, Arthur and I are going on the river on Saturday. Would you two like to come as well?
- That’s a good idea. What do you think, Michael?
- Yes, lovely. Look, Mary, we’re going to catch the 10.15 bus now. There isn’t another one for half an hour. Are you comig with us?
- Yes, that’s a good idea. Bye-bye, Arthur. Thanks for a lovely evening. See you tomorrow.
- Oh hell!
