The first man who came was obviously not from the television repair company; he was a confidence trickster. Mrs Harrison had said goodbye to her television set for ever.
She immediately telephoned the police. A very polite and friendly detective, the one who had questioned Mr Smithers about the bank robbery, came round in about a quarter of an hour. He wanted to know what time the first man had come, what he looked like and whether Arthur had noticed the number of his van. The detective said that the man had done this trick many times recently. he was well-known in Middleford. he often came to houses where there were lodgers after the landlady had gone shopping on a Saturday morning. Mrs Harrison told him that she'd only been out for about half an hour when he came. She'd just gone to the local shops to get her coat cleaned and have her shoes repaired and to do a little bit of household shopping.
Mrs Harison was very glad that her television was rented and not her own property. She was going to ask to have a colour set installed soon anyway. When the detective had gone Mrs Harrison went out to the television shop to explain what had happened and to order a new colour set.
After Mrs Harrison had gone out again, Arthur made a cup of coffee for himself and Mr Smithers and brought them into the living-room with some rock cakes that Mrs Harrison had made the day before. Mr Smithers remarked that the cakes looked rather hard. Arthur agreed. Mr Smithers bit his cake, and suddenly let out a shout - he had broken one of his front teeth.
Mr Smithers immediately telephoned the dentist and explained to him what had happened. The dentist agreed to see him ammediately, so Arthur volunteered to drive Mr Smithers round to the dentist's straight away.
***
- Where do I go now, Mr Smithers, right or left?
- Straight on actually, Arthur. Ooh, this tooth hurts. I hope I don't have to have it taken out. It's the next turning on the left - the one-way street. Here it is - the big house on the corner. Oh dear, I hate having my teeth done.
***
- Ah, good morning. It's Mr Smithers, isn't it? Mr McKenzie's just gone out for a moment. He won't be long. Would you like to go into the waiting-room?
- Thank you very much. Ooh, ah.
- Never mind, Mr Smithers. It'll soon be over.
- Mr McKenzie'll see you now. Would you like to come this way? … Ah, Mr Fanshawe, Mr McKenzie's got an emergency so I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit.
- Never mind. I'll go and sit in the waiting-room. … Well, if it isn't Arthur! I thought I recognized your car outside. Still going all right, is it?
- Yes, just about.
- Ha-ha. Going to have your teeth done, are you?
- No, actually. I'm just waiting for a friend.
- Your girlfriend, Sheila, eh?
- Very funny.
- Now now, Arthur. Don't get annoyed. I was only joking. Have you been to this chap before?
- No, I have my teeth done by old Pearson.
- I expect McKenzie's too expensive for you, anyway.
- Perhaps. Especially when I have to get my car repaired every week.
- No need to be offensive, Arthur. Anyway, the way you drive I'm not surprised.
- Oh shut up.
- Ha-ha.
- Now don't forget. It's only a temporary filling, Mr Smithers. Try not to bite on it if you can. We'll get a permanent filling done next week some time. Let's see. Susan, am I free next saturday at all?
- Yes, I'll make an appointment for Mr Smithers. Right, Mr Fanshawe, you're next. Would you like to go in now?
- Right you are. Cheerio, Arthur.
- Who's that, Arthur? I'm sure I've seen him somewhere before.
