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Did Arthur learn to drive? Probably not, you may think. But Mr Taylor’s hair didn’t go completely white and in fact Arthur learnt to drive without too much difficulty. He did not take his driving test two or three times - he passed the very first time - six weeks after his first  lesson.

So now he needed a car but he wanted a cheap one because he only had about two hundred pounds. By now Bruce was out of hospital and back at work. Bruce is a second-hand car salesman, by the way. He sells cars at Middleford Used Car Mart just round the corner from the library.

One Saturday afternoon Arthur put his cheque-book into his pocket and caught a bus to the High Street. He wanted to have a look at some good second-hand cars. He got off the bus at the police station and crossed the road to the Car Mart. There was a yellow sports car outside the showroom with the following information on the windscreen.

THIS WEEK’S BARGAIN

ONE CAREFUL OWNER - LOW MILEAGE

1978 M.O.T. - RADIO - MANY EXTRAS

200 pounds deposit - THREE YEARS TO PAY

Arthur looked at it for a long time. It was bright and shiny. The paint looked new. ‘I need a car like that,’ thought Arthur. ‘I may have enough money for the deposit next month.’

***

- Hallo, Arthur. So you passed your test. Congratulations. So now you need a car, don’t you? What do you think of that one?

- I must say it looks very nice. May I get in and start the engine?

- Of course. The key’s in there … Beautiful, isn’t it? Nothing wrong with that, is there?

- The only thing is that the price is a bit high. I’ve only got about two hundred pounds at the moment but it’s pay-day again soon.

- Well, that’s out of question then. The insurance alone on this car comes to about two hundred pounds a year and there’s the road tax. That’s another eighty-five pounds. A bit too much for you, perhaps?

- Yes, I suppose so. Yes, you’re right. It is a little too much for me, I’m afraid. May I look at something else?

- Yes, certainly, Arthur. We’ve got one or two inside. Come and have a look.

- What about the car over there?

- Ha-ha. I can see you’ve got the taste. That’s only three thousand, five hundred pounds. Not for you really, is it?

- I suppose not. I haven’t got that much in my pocket today.

- Never mind. What about this one instead? One hindred and fifty pounds deposit, three years to pay.

- How much are the monthly installments? I may just have enough.

- About fifty pounds a month, I should think.

- Oh … er … well, I see. What else have you got?

- Well, we don’t give cars away, you know, but I think we may have something suitable for you. Come on round the back for a moment … Now what about this one here? I can let you have this for three hundred pounds, as it’s you, Arthur. Seventy-five pounds deposit.

- How old is it? It looks a bit scruffy.

- What can you expect for three hundred pounds? It goes well. That’s the main thing. It belonged to our mechanic and he’s looked after it really well. Charlie, come over here for a minute.

- You want to buy that, do you? You’ve got a bargain there, sir. Why not drive it round the block?

- Oh, thanks. That’s a good idea …

- Well, Charlie. We may get rid of that heap of junk with a bit of luck. Don’t forget. It was your car and you looked after it personaly.

- I get it. Ha-ha …

- Yes, it doesn’t seem too bad. It goes all right. I’ll take it.

Two small boys in a canoe brought the boat back to the island after about three quarters of an hour and Arthur rowed the boat back to the bridge. He didn’t row very quickly because this time it was upstream and Arthur wasn’t very good at rowing anyway. Sheila steered and Mary sat next to Michael. They arrived back at the bridge by eight o’clock.

Because they were all wet and miserable they went home immediately. Mary didn’t even say goodnight to Arthur. When Arthur got home, he went straight to bed.

The following morning it was still wet so Arthur didn’t get up until twelve o’clock. Then he had lunch and sat in front of the television for the rest of the day. He didn’t go out and he didn’t even have a shave.

On of the programmes on the television was about learning to drive. What a good idea! - Arthur thought and so the next day he went along to the Licence Office in his lunch hour and got a Provisional Driving Licence. Then he went to the Driving School and made an appointment for his first lesson on Wednesday evening.

***

- Good evening. My name’s Newton. I’ve come for my driving lesson.

- Sorry. What was your name again?

- Arthur Newton. Here’s the card. You gave it to me on Monday.

- Oh, yes. That’s right, Mr Newton. I remember now. Did you get your licence by the way?

- Yes, here it is.

- Good, that’s fine. Do sit down for a minute. Mr Taylor, your instructor, is out with another pupil at the moment. You are a bit early, actually. Ah, that’s him now.

- My God, Elsie! I had a terrible time with Mrs What’s-her-name. She nearly drove the car into a brick wall just now. Is my hair completely white? Oh, hello.

- This is your new pupil, Mr Taylor. Mr Taylor - Mr Newton.

- How do you do, Mr Newton. Have you ever driven before?

- Well I had some lessons from my father once but after a few lessons he refused to continue.

- Oh, I see. Well, are you ready, then? Let’s go.

***

- Now, then. Did you ever learn about the controls?

- Yes, I did but I think I’ve forgotten them now.

- Well, anyway, this is the steering-wheel, as you know, and these pedals are - the clutch on the left here, and that’s for your left foot, the middle one’s the foot-brake and the one on the right’s the accelerator. You use your right foot for both the brake and the accelerator. This the hand-brake and that’s the gear-lever. OK?

- I think so, but what’s the clutch for?

- When you put your foot down on the clutch, you can change gear. Now, start the car. Make sure it’s in neutral first. All right.

- Now?

- Yes, go on.

- Like this?

- Yes … Now switch off. Well, you didn’t do too badly that time. Now try again. Put your foot on the accelerator and press down a tiny bit … Switch off again. Now for the gears. This is first - up here; second’s down like this and third’s up and to the right like this, and forth’s straight down. Don’t worry about reverse just yet.

- My father’s car didn’t have the gear-lever here. It was up here.

- You mean on the steering-column. Anyway, now try to start the car again. Put it into first gear and move off. But first check your mirror and put on your right indicator. That’s the lever there. Are you ready? Now!

Arthur got up early on Saturday morning. He had a shave and put his clothes on. He doesn’t put his suit on when he isn’t working. He opened his drawer and took out his light-coloured trousers. He put his suit on a hanger and hung it up in the wardrobe, and then closed the wardrobe door.

  He went downstairs and switched on the radio. He wanted to hear the weather forecast. What was the weather going to be like? The forecast was good - sunshine, clear skies and high temperatures. Arthur was pleased about this. Then he switched the radio off and went into the kitchen for breakfast.

  After breakfast he rang Mary up. He told her the forecast was good and asked her about the food for the picnic. She asked him to do the shopping because she was busy.

  So Arthur went to the supermarket and bought some cheese, ham and tomato sandwitches, some pickled onions and some fruit. After that he went to the off-licence and bought some drinks. This weekend, of course, he had enough money for all these things. Usually he is too broke.

  At too o’clock sharp Arthur got off the bus outside the Town Hall. He had his bag with him with the sandwiches, drinks, and the rest of the food. The others were not there yet. Arthur was the first. It was a very hot afternoon.

  After about three minutes, Sheila and Michael arrived. Michael had a picnic basket with cold chicken in it, some French bread and a bottle of wine. They waited for another two minutes and then Mary appeared. She looked very beautiful.

  They all walked down to the bridge and hired a boat for the afternoon.

***

- Who’s going to row?

- I can row first if you like.

- All right, then I can steer.

- Yes, and you can sit in the front with me, Arthur.

- Which way are we going?

- Let’s go dowstream to the island, the one with the trees on it. We can have our picnic there. It isn’t too far.

- Have you got enough room, Shelia? It isn’t too uncomfortable for you, is it?

- No, there’s plenty of room for us both here, isn’t there? The seat’s quite wide enough. I’m not too big, am I, Arthur?

- No, I suppose not.

- Everybody comfortable? Right, off we go.

***

- What are those sandwiches like?

- Very nice. Would you like one?

- Yes, please. Thanks.

- Do you want some pickled onions?

- Are there any?

- Yes, there are some over there.

- Have another sandwich, Arthur?

- No, thanks, I’ve got one already.

- What about some wine, then?

- I’ve got enough here, thanks.

- What about Mary, Shelia? And me? We’d like some.

- Oh, haven’t you got any? Sorry. Here, pass your glasses over. There you are.

- Thanks.

***

- Have you been here before, Mary?

- Yes, I came here a fortinght ago actually.

- It’s getting a little chilly now, I think.

- Yes, it is. I’m not really warm enough.

- Here, take my sweater.

- Thank you.

- Perhaps it’s time to go back now. It’s a bit cloudy too, isn’t it?

- Yes, I think it’s going to rain soon.

- Yes, let’s go.

- Hey! Where’s the boat?

- Who tied it up? It was you, Arthur, wasn’t it?

- Yes, I’m sorry. Look, there it is on the other side of the river.

- Never mind, Arthur.

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!

It’s Monday morning. Arthur and Mary have already gone back to Middleford. Sheila hasn’t returned yet. She is still in Applefield with her aunt. She’s going to go back to Middleford in a couple of days. Bruce, of course, is still in hospital.

Mary and Arthur are once again in the library. It’s ten o’clock. Arthur has been there since ten past nine - he still can’t get there at nine o’clock. Mary has been at the library since five to nine. She has been there for over an hour. She is always early for work. Mr Steele has not yet come to work. He’s the boss so he sometimes comes late but he often stays late. Sometimes he is still there at seven or eight in the evening.

Arthur has a lot of work on his desk. He must send some postcards to the readers. They have ordered some special books and these books have already come into the library. He has already sent a few of postcards but there are still a lot on his desk. He hasn’t sent any for several days.

Now Mr Steele has just come in. He hasn’t gone into his office yet. He’s still standing near the door.

 ***

- Good morning, Mary. Good morning, Arthur. Have you had a good weekend?

- Yes, thank you, Mr Steele.

- Have there been any telephone messages for me yet?

- No, there haven’t been any calls.

- Good. Now, what have you done this morning, Mary?

- Well, I’ve already taken the old magazines away from the reference section but I haven’t put the new ones out yet.

- Ah, good. Now, Arthur, how long have you been here? Have you been here since nine o’clock?

- Yes, Mr Steele. I’ve been here since nine - well, perhaps five past.

- And what have you done this morning? Have you finished those postcards yet?

- Well, I haven’t finished all of them yet. I’ve still got two or three of them to do.

- But you’ve still got all those on your desk over there. Haven’t you done them yet?

- You mean these? Well, I haven’t had time …

- But you’ve had the for a week or nearly a week.

- I’ve had them since last Wednesday, actually.

- Well, that’s nearly a week. Come into my office for a minute. No, wait a moment. Somebody’s coming.

- Has my copy of A History of Knitting come in yet? I’ve waited six weeks for it.

- Just a minute, madam. Yes, as a matter of fact it’s been here for over a fortnight.

- Well, you haven’t sent me a postcard. You usually do.

- Arthur, come into my office at once!

Arthur has seen the car and the driver and he has recognized both of them. Who has Arthur recognized? Yes, you’re right. It’s Bruce Fanshawe, the Casanova of Middleford. Dr Newton has examined his patient and now he is in the ambulance on his way to Applefield Hospital. He’s going to stay there for a few days. A breakdown lorry has arrived from the local garage and is going to take Bruce’s car away. The policeman has written down Bruce’s name and address and he has looked at his driving licence and insurance certificate.

Dr  Newton and Arthur have driven back home now. The party has finished. Jennifer has said goodbye to her guests and all of them have gone home. Mrs Newton has just arrived home and she is going upstairs to bed. Jennifer is still up. She’s taking all the dirty glasses and plates into the kitchen and she’s going to do the washing up in a minute. She has put all the records away and tidied the sitting-room.

Now it’s eleven o’clock on Sunday morning. All the Newtons have got up and have had their breakfast. Arthur has just telephoned Mary and Sheila and told them about Bruce. Dr and Mrs Newton have both gone to church. Neither Arthur nor Jennifer has gone because Jennifer is cleaning the house and Arthur is too lazy. He has not even had a shave. He has asked both Mary and Sheila to meet him in The Applefield Arms, the village pub, at twelve o’clock.

 ***

- Oh, Arthur! Look at the time. It’s twenty to twelve and you haven’t had a shave. You’ve been in that armchair all the morning reading the News of the World and I’ve done all the cleaning and I’ve done all the vegetables. I’ve put the meat into the oven and I’ve had a bath. Come on! Get ready! We’re going to meet Sheila and Mary in a quater of an hour.

- Oh, shut up, Jennifer! I’m reading the paper. It only takes me a couple of minutes to get ready. Here! I say! What are you doing with that paper? Give it back!

- You can read it after lunch. Now hurry up. Don’t you want to see Mary? … Oh, he’s gone up to the bathroom at last.

 ***

- Hallo, Jennifer. Hallo, Arthur. Thanks for the lovely party. I say, it’s bad news about Bruce. Mary’s gone to the hospital so she’s going to be a bit late.

- And we’re a bit late too, thanks to Arthur. Now none of the seats are free and neither of us can sit down.

- You can have my seat.

- No, sit down, Sheila. Arthur!

- What?

- Neither Sheila nor I have got a drink. Are we going to stand here all day without one?

- There are a lot of people at the bar. Can we wait a minute?

- No, we can’t. All that work in the house has made me thirsty.

- All right. I’m going.

- Arthur, come back!

- What is it now?

- You haven’t asked either of us …

- Oh dear. I’m sorry. Sheila, what do you want to drink?

- Oh, just a sweet sherry for me, please.

- And I’m going to have a tomato juice.

- That’s a sweet sherry, a tomato juice, and a half of bitter for me … Oh dear! I say, Jennifer …

- Well?

- Can you lend me a couple of pounds?

Dr Newton is in the dining-room at the Lesters’. Mrs Newton is with him. They are having coffee after an excellent meal.

Now the telephone is ringing and Mr Lester is getting up from the table. He’s going to answer it.

Dr Newton is just going to have another cup of coffee but Mr Lester is saying, ‘It’s somebody for you, Jack. It’s the police. There’s an accident at the crossroads near the school.’

Dr Newton is now putting on his coat. In a minute he’s going to get into his car and drive to the scene of the accident. Mrs Newton isn’t going to go with him. Mr Lester is going to drive her home.

Now Dr Newton is standing by his car. He’s going to take his black bag out. He must check the contents because he must have a number of things like bandages, dressings, syringes and various medicines.

Now Dr Newton is going back into the house. He’s going to telephone Arthur because he wants something from the surgery. He’s going to ask Arthur to bring some penicillin to the scene of the accident.

-----------------

- Can you see anything? Is it a bad accident?

- Somebody’s standing in front of me. I can’t see anything.

- There’s a young man in the car. There’s nobody with him.

- Stand back, everybody, please! There’s nothing to see. You, sir, stand back. Don’t come anywhere near the car, please! There’s petrol everywhere.

- It’s me. I’m Dr …

- Oh, it’s you, Dr Newton. Sorry. There’s a young man. He’s unsconscious. The ambulance is going to be here soon. It’s coming from Reading.

- Somebody’s going to the car now. It’s Dr Newton.

- Is my son, Arthur, here?

- No, I don’t think so.

- Well, he’s going to bring something for me from the surgery in a minute or two.

- Are you going to take him out of the car now, doctor?

- No, I’m going to examine him first. Can you hold this torch for me?

- Yes, of course. Now do go home, all of you, please! Haven’t you got anywhere to go?

- Now can you shine the torch on my watch, please? I’m going to take his pulse. Hm, yes. Now, can somebody give me my bag?

- Here you are, doctor.

- Now I’m just going to check for any fractures. Yes, his legs are OK. Ah, two of his ribs are fractured.

- Is he going to be all right?

- Yes, I think so. It’s nothing serious. He must spend some time in hospital, of course. Oh, there you are, Arthur. Have you got everything?

- Yes, here it is.

- Well, give it to me, then. Don’t just stand there.

- All right … Good Lord! I know that car.

- What?

- I know that car and I know the driver.

- Well, he isn’t anybody from the village. Who is he, then?

Poor Arthur! He has three cups of tea and he doesn’t like tea very much. Poor Sheila and Mary! They like tea and they haven’t got any.

Now Arthur is talking to the porter.

- What time is the next train?

- The next one’s in an hour.

 ***

After a miserable journey Arthur is now at home in Applefield. It is Saturday evening and Jennifer is welcoming her guests to her party. Like many young girls today, Jennifer and her friends often wear jeans and sweaters at parties. They don’t always wear pretty dresses. There is a record on the record-player. Young people usually listen to records, dance and of course eat and drink at parties.

Arthur’s parents, Dr and Mrs Newton, are not here this evening. Thes don’t like young people’s parties very much. They are having dinner with their friends, Mr and Mrs Lester. Mr Lester works for a large engineering firm in London.

Now Sheila is coming in and, yes, Mary is with her. Jennifer knows Sheila because she often comes to Applefield. But Mary doesn’t know any of the people here except Sheila and, of course, Arthur.

 ***

- Hallo, Bob. Nice to see you. Is that for me? What is it?

- Open it and see. Happy birthday, Jennifer.

- Thanks … Oh, look, it’s a necklace. That’s very kind of you, Bob. Do you know my brother Arthur?

- No, hallo, Arthur? What do you do?

- Well, I work in a library - in Middleford.

- Have you got a flat there?

- No, I live in digs. I don’t like it very much. My landlady, Mrs Harrison, cooks awful meals. I only eat good food here. My mother’s a good cook. What do you do?

- I’m a student. I’m at Reading University.

- Hallo, Arthur. I don’t know many people here. Who are you talking to?

- Oh, hallo, Mary. This is Bob. Bob, this is Mary.

- Hallo! Where do you come from?

- Excuse me a minute. Jennifer wants me.

- Arthur, say thank to Sheila. She’s got your bag and your overcoat.

- Oh, thank goodness. That’s nice of you, Sheila.

- Where’s my cup of tea, Arthur?

- Oh, no, I don’t want ot hear the words ‘cup of tea’ again!

- Yes, poor Arthur, I am sorry.

- So your aunt and uncle live in Applefield, do they? What’s their name?

- It’s Dawson.

- I think I know them. Does your uncle play cricket for the local team?

- Yes, that’s right.

- I sometimes see him in the summer. He plays quite well.

 ***

- Jennifer! Telephone!

- Coming … Applefield 5234 … Yes … No, he’s out. What? … Oh dear, he’s at Mr and Mrs Lester’s … Yes, I’ve got the number here … It’s Applefield 3972 … Arthur, come here. There’s an accident up the road. They must have a doctor.

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.

Arthur’s bedroom is between Mrs Harrison’s bedroom and the bathroom. These three rooms are upstairs.

The kitchen, the sitting-room and the dining-room are downstairs. There are two lavatories, one upstairs and one downstairs.

It is half past eight on Monday morning and Mrs Harrison is downstairs. She is standing in front of the stove and she is making breakfast.

Arthur isn’t downstairs; he is asleep in bed.

It is now a quarter to nine and Mrs Harrison is going upstairs. Arthur is late and Mrs Harrison must wake him up. ‘Can you hear me, Arthur? You must get up,’ she is calling to him.

Arthur is lazy. He cannot get up in the morning. He has an alarm clock but he cannot hear it.

It is now nine o’clock. Arthur is getting out of bed. He is wearing his pyjamas. He is looking for his socks but he cannot find them. ‘I must find them,’ he is thinking. ‘Where are they? They aren’t under the bed and they aren’t on the chair.’

Where are Arthur’s socks?

Now it’s five past nine. Arthur is downstairs. He cannot drink his tea; it’s too hot. He cannot have breakfast. he is very late. He must go to work immediately.

It is now a quarter past nine. Arthur is standing at the bus-stop. He is waiting for the bus. He cannot see the bus because he is reading the newspaper. Oh dear, the bus is not stopping. There isn’t another bus until half past nine. Arthur must walk. He must walk quickly; he mustn’t walk slowly.

Now it is twenty to ten. Arthur is looking through the library window. Mary is there. He can see her through the window but he cannot see Mr Steele. That’s good. Mr Steele must not see him at this time.

***

- Gosh, Arthur, you are late.

- What’s the time, then?

- It’s nearly ten to ten.

- My God! Is it really? Where’s Mr Steele? Is he in?

- Yes, he’s in his office. Arthur! You aren’t wearing a tie. You must wear a tie in the library. You can’t possibly come to work without one.

- Yes, you’re right. I can’t. What can I do? Tell me.

- Mr Steele mustn’t see you. He can’t see us now. His door’s closed and he’s talking on the telephone. You must go quickly.

- I can’t do that.

- Yes, you must. You must telephone Mr Steele and say you’ve got a headache.

- But i haven’t got a headache.

- Oh, Arthur, you are stupid! Go on now, quickly!

- But I haven’t got a 5p coin for the telephone. I can’t telephone without one.

- Oh Arthur! Where’s my handbag? Oh dear. I can’t find it … Oh good, here it is. There you are, Arthur. Now you can telephone. Now go! You mustn’t stay for another minute.

- Now, what must I do? I must find  a telephone-box. Good, there’s a phone-box here across the road …

- But Arthur …

- Hallo, Mary. Is Arthur here? Look at the time! It’s five past ten. he’s an hour late.

- No, he isn’t here. he is late, isn’t he?

- Yes, he is. He’s late every day.

- But it’s very late now. Perhaps he’s ill.

- Then he must telephone … Answer the phone please, Mary.

- Very good, Mr Steele … Middleford Central Library. Can I help you? Oh, hallo, Arthur … Oh, I’m sorry. Is it bad? … Mr Steele, Arthur has a headache and he can’t come to work.

- Give me the phone, Mary … Is that you, Arthur? What? You’re at home and you’ve got a headache? I see. Well, tell me this then. Who can I see in the phone-box across the road? Is it your twin brother?