In this book we are going to read some more adventures of Arthur Newton. Arthur works in a library in Middleford, a town in southern England. He lives in digs at 21 Gladstone Avenue, Middleford. His landlady, Mrs Harrison, is a widow. She has lost her husband. He died five years ago.
Arthur’s parents are still alive. They live in a small village called Applefield. Arthur’s father is the village doctor. Jennifer, Arthur’s seventeen-year-old sister, still goes to school and lives at home with her parents.
We are also going to read about Mary Stephens and Bruce fanshawe. mary also works at Middleford Library and Bruce sells second-hand cars at the Middleford Used Car Mart. Recently Arthur bought a car from Bruce. Mary and Bruce often go out together and this does not please Arthur. Bruce is tall, good-looking and has a big moustache. He wears expensive clothes and has a gold wristwatch. Arthur does not like Bruce for several reasons and the most important reasons is that Arthur is in love with Mary himself. But of course, he has not told her about it.
There’s another girl called Sheila Lawton. She is very interested in Arthur but he has not shown much interest in her so far.
It is New Year’s Day. Arthur is at home with his parents and sister in Applefield. Mrs Newton is in the kitchen and Jennifer, Dr Newton and Arthur are talking together in the living-room.
***
- Have you made any New Year’s resolutions yet, Arthur?
- Huh! He made lots of them last year and he didn’t keep one of them.
- What about you, Jennifer? You promised not to be rude to me any more.
- Shut up, Arthur.
- See what I mean, Dad?
- Why don’t you give up smoking, Arthur? Have you seen the latest report on smoking and lung cancer?
- Well, as a matter of fact, I’ve already decided to give it up. I haven’t had a cigarette since last night, actually.
- You’ve been too lazy to go out and get any, that’s why. What other resolutions have you made?
- Mind your own business.
- Well, I’ve made one or two myself, if anybody interested.
- Oh, yes.
- Yes, I’ve decided to grow more vegetables in the garden. They grow very well here. Fresh vegetables are very good for you; you get a lot of vitamins from them. And what’s more, I’ll save money and the exercise will do me good.
- Don’t expect Arthur to help you; he’s much too lazy.
- Well, I don’t even live here. I only come home for the occasional weekend. Why don’t you help in the garden for a change?
- By the way, what’s happened to Mary? You haven’t mentioned her once this holiday. Is she still going out with Bruce Fanshawe?
- I don’t know; she may be.
- Not that young man in the car accident a few months ago?
- Yes, that’s right.
- I didn’t think much of him.
- I don’t like him either.
- I’m sure you don’t. Anyway, there’s always Sheila. She likes you, you know.
- Oh, really?
- Now where are you going? What are you putting your coat on for?
- I’m just going across the road to get some cigarettes.
