Learn English Through Story - The Stranger by Norman Whitney

 the stranger by Norman windy chapter 1 a

stranger in would end on Saturday th

e

31st of October 1964 a man arrived in

the village it was late in the evening

he was looking for somewhere to stay the

night he knocked at a door and a woman

opened it good evening madam the man

said I'm sorry it's so late but can you

help me please is there a hotel in this

village I want to stay here tonight the

woman laughed a hotel here in Woodend

no sir I'm afraid there isn't what a

pity

said the man I'm a stranger here and I

want to see your village tomorrow the

stranger was very polite he was tall and

had dark hair and he had strange green

eyes perhaps mrs. Harrison can help you

the woman said she has a room perhaps

you can stay with her wait a minute I'll

get my coat and I'll take you there

the woman took the stranger to mrs.

Harrison's house mrs. Harrison gave him

a room for the night he was very glad it

was the last night of October and it was

cold the next day was Sunday the man

looked round the village he was very

interested in the history of the village

he met some of the villagers and asked

them their names but he did not visit

the church that was unusual the church

in Woodend was the most beautiful

building in the village but the stranger

was not interested in it he did not go

to church that night with all the

villagers it was the first Sunday

evening of November when the villagers

came out of the church the man had gone

they had all liked him

the ladies had thought he was very

good-looking a few weeks later he came

back it was the first Sunday in December

the villagers were coming out of church

it was cold and dark hello he said I'm

back again

it's nice to see you all once more his

next words surprised everyone perhaps

you can help me he said I'm looking for

a house I want to buy a house here here

someone said but why here there's no

working would end for a young man all

the young people leave the village they

find work in Ligny the nearest town I'll

get a job somewhere the stranger said

perhaps in Ligny then one of the

villagers told him about old mr. Smith's

house mr. Smith had died in the summer

his house was empty it was for sale the

house was on the corner of Main Street

and Church Lane I'll ask about the house

tomorrow said the young man perhaps I'll

be lucky goodbye I'll see you soon the

villagers watched him leave they all saw

his car it was very big and luxurious

he looked rich a few days later mr.

Smith's house was sold and in the middle

of December the young stranger arrived

he moved into the house and worked very

hard he fixed the roof he repaired

broken windows he painted and decorated

he changed the whole house but there was

a big surprise for the villagers on the

morning of Monday the 21st of December

they saw a big sign on the front of the

house and on the sign with these words

the corner shop proprietor Dave Slaton

chapter 2 the village meeting the

villagers could not believe it a shop in

would end everybody talked about it

there was once a shop in would end but

it had closed 20 years ago some people

wanted the shop but others did not

the villagers met in the evening in the

village hall everybody was there

everybody was interested in the new shop

the corner shop is a good idea someone

said we need a village shop we won't

need to go to Lib nee then mrs. Harrison

spoke she liked the stranger Dave

Slayton I agree she said a village shop

is a good idea it's too quiet here would

end needs a shop nonsense said Miss

Brown she was the village schoolteacher

Ligny is not far away there are lots of

shops there soon everybody was shouting

then mr. Hardt spoke he was a very big

man with a loud voice listen everybody

he shouted we've never had trouble in

this village before we've always been

quiet and happy now this shop is causing

trouble let mr. slaton speak someone

said is his shop let him speak ladies

and gentlemen said Dave Slayton I don't

want to cause any trouble I'm still a

stranger in your village but I want to

be one of you I want to be your friend I

liked the people of Woodend he smiled

and a few people clapped they liked him

the corner shop will sell lots of things

he went on it will sell food and things

for the house everything will be cheap I

promise everybody was listening

carefully and I have another idea

he continued I'll sell village products

what do you mean by village products

asked miss brown I'll tell you miss

brown he

I know that you make beautiful bread and

cakes Ms Brown smiled yes she did make

bread and cakes everyone knew that and

you mr. Hart I've seen your flowers you

grow beautiful flowers now mr. Hart

smiled yes

his flowers were beautiful everyone knew

about them and mr. Everett makes pots

someone said and mrs. Davis makes dolls

said another voice and I do paintings of

the village said old Miss Lucy gray yes

said Dave you can all do something you

villagers are clever you make lots of

things we can sell them to the tourists

in the summer wood end can make a lot of

money but what about the money said mr.

Hart how will you pay us that's a good

question

said Dave and here's the answer you all

bring your things to me and I'll sell

them for you

I'll keep some of the profit you'll have

the rest what a good idea said Miss

Brown yes I agree said mr. Hart all the

villagers agreed everyone in the village

was happy with Dave Slaton's plan the

corner shop opened on Monday the 4th of

January 1965 soon the shop was busy and

Dave needed an assistant the new

assistant in the corner shop was Anna

she started work in late January

Chapter three the corner shop Dave

Slayton kept his promises things that

the shop were good and cheap how does he

do it asked mrs. Harrison it's winter

but he's selling lots of fruit and

vegetables and they're cheap I never go

to Ligny now the other villagers agreed

the corner shop was a success and Dave

seemed happy

he paid Anna good wages sometimes her

friend Peter helped at the shop and Dave

gave him money too

Dave advertised in newspapers and the

village products sold well people from

Ligny came to the corner shop there were

lots of visitors and Woodend became more

interesting the villagers were surprised

but pleased they were making a lot of

money

Dave lived alone in a flat above the

shop he was very popular in the village

but no one ever went to his flat no one

ever saw inside it at the bottom of the

stairs there were two doors one led into

the stockroom the other door had a

notice on it special orders only keep

out the door was always locked Anna

never went into the special orders room

why'd you lock that room Dave and her

asked one day what's in there it's first

special orders he replied big orders but

you won't get any big orders in Woodend

said anna Dave said nothing he did not

want to talk about that room

Chapter four a beautiful customer for

three months everything was normal then

one day in April an unusual customer

came into the shop the new customer was

a very beautiful woman she was wearing

expensive clothes and arrived in a large

car is this the corner shop the woman

asked she looked round and seemed a

little surprised yes replied Anna this

is the corner shop it's the only shop in

the village I'm looking for mr. slaton

the owner of the shop said the woman I

think he's upstairs said Anna I'll go

and get him does he know your name yes I

think so was the reply and tell him the

woman stopped tell him miss Gordon is

here miss greater Gordon Anna was amazed

are you greater Gordon the film star yes

that's right the woman smiled but she

was nervous wait a minute

said Anna I'll tell mr. slaton that

you're here Anna ran to the bottom of

the stairs and called Dave Dave there's

someone to see you who is it

asked Dave from upstairs miss Greta

Gordon shouted Anna it's Greta Gordon

the film star I'm coming he said and he

came down immediately I'm pleased to

meet you miss Gordon he said good

morning said Greta Gordon she and Dave

shook hands she had beautiful hands and

she was wearing beautiful diamond rings

Anna had never seen so many diamonds

before miss Gordon looked round is this

where you work mr. slaton she asked once

again she seemed nervous yes said Dave

it's a small place but it's big enough

for me please follow me miss Gordon Anna

was surprised Dave and Greta Gordon did

not know each other

he did not call her Greta and she did

not call him Dave he seemed to be in a

hurry and she seemed to be frightened

Anna watched them Dave and Greta Gordon

went to the back of the shop and into

the special orders room

Greta Gordon was a special order

customer Anna thought that was very

strange she wanted to tell someone about

Greta Gordon Anna loved films she wanted

to tell Peter about the film star but

she had to stay in the shop ten minutes

later

Greta Gordon came out of the special

orders room Dave went straight upstairs

and Greta Gordon came to the front of

the shop the film star looked terrible

she was pale she was crying her eyes

were red with tears

what's wrong asked Anna can I help you

miss Gordon no thanks

I'm all right said Greta Gordon do you

want to sit down said Anna she got a

chair and the film star sat down shall I

get the doctor said Anna no no said

Greta please tell no one about my visit

here please tell no one Anna was

disappointed she wanted to tell everyone

about Greta Gordon she wanted to tell

everyone about her famous customer I

want to give you something said Greta

Gordon here's a photograph of me I'll

sign it she signed the photograph and

gave it to Anna please keep this said

Greta and please keep her secret please

don't tell anyone all right said Anna I

promise the film star kissed Anna she

held Anna's hands what a beautiful woman

thought Anna and what beautiful hands

then Anna noticed something the diamond

rings were gone

Chapter five a page in film news Dave

never talked about Greta Gordon he never

talked about her visit to the corner

shop one day Anna asked him about the

film star how'd you know Greta Gordon

said Anna is she a friend of yours I

don't want to talk about her

Dave replied she was a special-order

customer don't ask any more questions

about her Anna so Anna did not ask any

more questions she did not ask about

Greta Gordon's special order and she did

not ask about the Rings Anna kept her

promise she never told anyone about the

film star soon it was spring Anna and

Dave were busy mr. heart brought lots of

flowers to the corner shop and Anna sold

them to the tourists there were lots of

tourists that year in May Peter asked

dala to marry him she said yes they

became engaged they plan to get married

in the following year now they needed

money so they worked hard and they saved

they were very much in love on Saturdays

Peter played football or cricket and

Anna often went to the cinema and Ligny

he enjoyed sports and she loved watching

films one day Anna was reading film news

this was a magazine about film stars she

turned the pages there was a picture of

Greta Gordon Anna was pleased what a

surprise

beautiful woman was going to be a big

film and now Greta Gordon had the star

part Anna wanted to tell Peter about

Greta but she kept her promise she did

not tell anyone but she did show film

news to Dave Slayton look Dave she said

here's a story about Greta Gordon isn't

it great she's got the big part in

beautiful woman

looked at the magazine Greta Gordon will

star in beautiful woman the star of

beautiful woman was Joanna Lee but Miss

Lee has broken her arm I don't know what

happened said Miss Lee I was in my

bedroom I slipped and fell

Greta Gordon will now be the star of

beautiful woman I'm so lucky

Greta told us yesterday I've always

wanted the part I can't believe it I

don't know anything about films he said

is Greta Gordon a big star Anna laughed

pic star yes she is she's terrific Dave

didn't seem interested I hope she's

happy with her big part was all he said

chapter six a quick kiss summer tourists

were arriving in would end the weather

was beautiful and the shop was doing

well but Anna was not very happy she

often thought about Greta Gordon's visit

why had she come to see Dave what had

happened to the diamond rings on her

fingers there was another problem Anna

loved Peter and she was going to marry

him but she liked Dave - Dave was older

but she liked him all the women liked

him but Anna was very close to him all

day

in the daytime Anna was with Dave in the

evening she was with Peter Anna was

living two lives one life was with Dave

the other life with Peter then one

Friday Dave surprised Anna what are you

doing tomorrow he asked her would you

like to spend the day with me we can go

anywhere you like we can go in my car

I'm sorry Dave said Anna but Peter

wouldn't like it don't be silly

said Dave we won't go far I'll close the

shop at lunchtime and we can go to Ligny

Anna wanted to go with Dave but she was

worried about Peter don't worry about

Peter said Dave he's always busy on

Saturday

Anna thought for a moment all right

she said you take me to the best cinema

and to the best restaurant then I'll

come with you

of course laughs Dave anything you want

Anna so the next afternoon Dave and Anna

went together to Ligny they had a good

time

Dave bought Anna a new expensive dress

then they went to a cinema and

afterwards to a restaurant

Peter played cricket that Saturday he

never knew about Anna's day with Dave he

was playing in another village and

returned to would end very late

Dave and Anna were also very late Dave

stopped his car on the other corner shop

the night was warm thanks Dave

said Anna it was a lovely day I enjoyed

it too said Dave he put his arm round

her shoulders and kissed her it was a

quick kiss but for Anna

it was wonderful

Chapter seven another special order the

summer past the corner shop was always

busy sometimes Dave opened the shop on

Sundays too

Anna earned a lot of money everyone

thought that she was happy but life was

difficult for her

she liked Dave he was her boss and he

was older than her but Peter was her

fiance and he was about the same age

Dave was quite rich but Peter had no

money

Dave bought Anna clothes and he took her

out

Peter did not buy her clothes and never

took her anywhere he was more interested

in football Anna did not like football

now it was September Peter played

football every Saturday

one Saturday there was a big football

match on television mr. Hart had the

biggest television in the village and he

invited some people to his house he

invited Peter and Anna on Friday the day

before the match Anna was working in the

shop all day at five o'clock she locked

the shop door two minutes later the bell

rang and Anna went to the door there was

a young man outside he was carrying a

small case hello she said can I help you

I hope so said the young man I want to

see mr. Slayton I'm afraid that the shop

is closed now said Anna we are open

tomorrow morning but I've got an

appointment said the young man then Dave

spoke behind Anna she hadn't seen him

yes I've been waiting for you said Dave

you're late I'm very sorry mr. slaton

said the young man I was never mind

never mind said Dave rudely his rudeness

surprised Anna the young man seemed

afraid but can you see me now he asked

yes said Dave come in

Dave turn to Anna Anna it's after five

o'clock you can go home now I won't be

long said Anna Dave was angry hurry up

and go home he said but Anna wanted to

stay she wanted to know about the young

man the young man followed Dave to the

back of the shop and into the special

orders room another special order

another special customer Anna waited but

soon it was half past five

Anna put her coat on and left the shop

she closed the door very loudly then she

went round the corner and waited soon

there was a noise the young man was

leaving the shop Anna could not see him

but she could hear him he was speaking

to Dave are you sure said the young man

what do you mean asked Dave is this the

only way said the young man yes it is

said Dave don't worry everything will be

all right

goodbye Anna heard the shop door closed

she came round the corner and saw the

young man he was walking quickly to his

car anna noticed immediately that he was

not carrying his case she followed him

excuse me she said you've forgotten

something you've left something behind

the young man turned round

aniss topped suddenly she was frightened

the young man's face was white it was

white with fear please go away

said the young man leave me alone I want

to go home leave me alone he got into

his car and drove off

Anna stood in the street and watched him

she was thinking

why had the young man come to the corner

shop what was his special order and why

had he left his small case with Dave

Slaton

[Music]

chapter 8 the football match the next

day was the day of the big football

match mr. Hart had invited about 10

people Anna did not watch the game she

was helping mrs. Hart in the kitchen

they were making tea it was a good game

and everyone was enjoying it at halftime

Peter went into the kitchen why don't

you come and watch the match Anna he

said it's really good come on Anna

laughed no thanks

she said I'm helping mrs. Hart look

here's the tea

can he take it into the others ok said

Peter

it's a terrific match Mike Bailey scored

a great goal Peter took the tea into the

sitting room and the second half of the

match started the second half was very

exciting Mike Bailey scored another goal

after 20 minutes the score was to nil

then the other side scored two quick

goals it was to two there were only five

minutes of the match left

come on shouted Peter come on Mike let's

have another goal in the last seconds of

the match Mike Bailey scored the winner

it was his third goal of the match but

something was wrong the other team's

goalkeeper was injured Bailey had been

very near the goalkeeper and he had

kicked the ball very hard the ball had

hit the goalkeepers neck mrs. Hart and

Anna came in from the kitchen what's

happened said Anna what's wrong it's

Brian Thomas the goalkeeper said Peter

he's injured it was serious the

goalkeeper had broken his neck later

they all watched the news on TV they saw

pictures of Mike Bailey's third goal it

was a great goal they saw the ball hit

the goalkeeper it was an accident the TV

announcer said and now over to our

sports studio for an interview with Mike

Bailey they all watched the interview

the TV showed a picture of Mike Bailey

and the interviewer

Mike said the interviewer three goals in

one match how do you feel about that

but Mike Bailey said nothing he could

not speak he tried to speak but he could

not

it was terrible the interviewer tried

another question let me ask you about

the third goal Mike it was a great goal

but how do you feel about the injury to

Brian Thomas it was a silly question

the injured goalkeeper would never play

football again Mike Bailey said nothing

he looked very ill when the interview

ended mr. Hardt turned off the TV no one

noticed that Anna had left the room Mike

Bailey had looked frightened Anna was

frightened too Mike Bailey and Anna had

met before the day before at the corner

shop

chapter nine a secret weekend Anna did

not know what to do she was only 17 but

sometimes she felt much older she wanted

to ask Dave about Mike Bailey and Greta

Gordon she wanted to know about special

orders she decided to wait one day Dave

and Anna were alone in the shop house

Peter asked Dave he's fine thanks

said Anna Dave smiled is he still

playing football of course he is said

Anna Dave laughed you don't see him very

much do you Anna I see him three or four

times a week said Anna

what about weekends Dave asked Anna

replied quickly I don't see you much at

weekends he plays football then when are

you getting married

asked Dave I don't know she replied we

haven't decided yet perhaps next year

that's a long time

Dave smiled at Anna Anna felt afraid she

also felt excited she didn't know why

sometimes you're bored Anna aren't you

said Dave he looked into her eyes yes

said Anna that's true

why don't you come away with me for a

weekend said Dave we can go to London a

weekend in London Anna had only been to

London once for a day Anna was excited

but she was also afraid I don't know she

said I must think of Peter oh forget him

said Dave he'll never know come with me

and we'll go to the best shops we'll go

to the best cinema will you come with me

Anna said nothing suddenly she had an

idea she looked at Dave perhaps I'll

come with you she said good said Dave

that's great

but first said

I want to ask you something what do you

want to know he said quietly I want to

know about your special orders very

clever

said Dave you're a village girl but

you're very clever Anna village girls

aren't stupid said Anna now tell me

about your special orders then I'll come

to London with you Dave was angry one

question you can ask me one question he

said quickly

Anna asked why do people come to you

white one question only one shouted Dave

all right said Anna but don't shout tell

me why do people come to see you Dave

thought about his answer he spoke

quietly they come for help he said they

need help and I give no I sell help to

them that's all Anna didn't understand

what sort of help she asked one question

shouted Dave I've answered your question

Anna said no more she and Dave had made

an agreement Anna had asked her question

Dave had answered it Dave had invited

Anna to London for the weekend and Anna

went with him

[Music]

chapter 10 a quarrel Anna enjoyed the

weekend they arrived in London late on

Friday evening and stayed at a big hotel

on Saturday they went shopping and in

the evening they went to a cinema on

Sunday they went to a park they came

back to would end on Sunday evening it

was the last Sunday in September on

Monday Anna went to the shop it was not

so busy now summer was over most of the

customers were villagers it was a cold

autumn on Monday evening Peter came to

see Anna hello said Anna did you win on

Saturday no said Peter we didn't win and

I didn't play anna was surprised he

didn't play why not what was wrong I

didn't feel very well on Saturday

morning I stayed in Woodend I was in the

village all weekend Anna's face was red

her voice was quiet are you feeling

better now

she asked no said Peter and you know why

Anna tried to look surprised me she said

Oh Anna said Peter you know what's wrong

it's you and Dave Slayton what do you

mean me and Dave Slayton said Anna

quickly you went away with him on Friday

evening someone saw you in Dave's car

Anna tried to explain oh it's nothing

she said Dave and I went shut up said

Peter I don't want to know Anna don't

talk about it but Peter said Anna Peter

didn't listen I know he's got a lot of

money he can take you to places he's

from a big city I'm a poor village boy

Anna but you must choose

you must choose between Dave and me you

can't have both of us I know that Peter

said Anna and I don't want both of you

but listen Peter I want to tell you

about Dave there's something very

strange

about him Dave Dave Dave Peter shouted

you talk about him all the time I don't

want to hear his name again Peter turned

round and walked out of the room he left

Anna's house now Anna was alone she was

very unhappy she wanted to talk to Peter

she wanted to tell him about Dave she

wanted to tell him about Greta Gordon

and about Mike Bailey but Peter had left

her

chapter 11 Arthur Reisman it was October

it was cold and wet Anna was not very

busy at the shop she was very unhappy

she was a different girl she seemed

older she didn't go out much

she looked ill most of the villagers

knew that Anna had quarreled with Peter

they also knew that she had been to

London with Dave but no one was able to

help Anna she did not talk to anyone

before she had been a happy smiling girl

now she was sad and lonely she went to

the shop every day she was waiting for

another special customer Anna did not

wait long it was the middle of the month

Anna was alone in the shop it was almost

lunchtime

a middle-aged gentleman came in he was a

big man with a very large mustache he

was well-dressed and he was carrying a

large briefcase good morning miss he

said politely good morning sir

said Anna can I help you Anna was very

polite too she was interested in this

man I'm looking for mr. David Slayton

said the man Anna smiled are you a

Salesman she asked she knew that he was

not a Salesman he didn't look like a

Salesman but she wanted to talk to the

man the man smiled yes I am a Salesman

he said that was not true Anna knew that

the man was lying then she said perhaps

I can help you sir I usually speak to

the salesman she looked at the man's

case it had the letters AR ICS printed

on it thank you said the man very

politely but I have a private

appointment I have come from London and

I must see mr. slaton I'm sorry said

he's very busy at the moment but I'll

tell him you're here what's your name

please the man smiled Roberts he said

Arthur Roberts Ana went to the back of

the shop Dave was coming down the stairs

there's a man in the shop

sadhana he wants to speak to you thanks

said Dave and he went to the front of

the shop

good morning mr. Reisman said Dave and

I'm pleased to meet you Anna listened

Reisman the man's name was Reisman not

Roberts what a liar the man did not look

at Anna I'm pleased to meet you mr.

slaton the man said please come with me

said Dave mr. Reisman followed Dave they

went into the special orders room a

minute later

Dave came out he came to the front of

the shop it's lunchtime Anna he said you

can go home now

thanks Dave said Anna I'm going in a few

moments

Dave went back to the special orders

room Anna did not leave the shop she

waited Anna wrote down the letters they

are I see s she understood AR Arthur

Reisman but she did not understand ICS

at half past 1:00 Anna heard noises mr.

Reisman was leaving Dave was talking

Thank You mr. Reisman said Dave and

thank you said mr. Reisman you have

helped me a lot good said Dave goodbye

mr. Reisman my assistant isn't in the

shop but you can open the door good bye

Dave went upstairs and mr. Reisman came

into the front of the shop Anna was

sitting quietly in a corner Oh said mr.

Reisman I thought you'd gone home no she

said I decided to have lunch in the shop

today anna and mr. Reisman looked at

each other they didn't like each other

there was silence Anna spoke first would

you like to buy some bread mr. Roberts

she said

Reisman my name is Reisman said the man

Anna smiled I'm so sorry

she said would you like to buy some

homemade bread mr. Reisman it looks

delicious

said mr. Reisman he was very polite

again yes

I'll take some please my wife will love

it he you are said Anna she put the

bread in the bag then she said you can

put it in your briefcase my briefcase

said mr. Reisman I haven't got a

briefcase I think you've forgotten it

she said I'll go and get it for you

Anna moved towards the back of the shop

mr. Reisman stepped in front of her he

held her wrists he was very strong

listen to me he said I don't want that

briefcase leave it there

alright said Anna please let me go

you're hurting me mr. Reisman let go of

Anna and turn towards the door he left

the shop hurriedly he hadn't taken his

bread with him Anna watched mr. Reisman

leave her hands were still hurting five

minutes later

chapter 12 anna waits for news anna

waited for some news about mr. Reisman

she remembered greta gordon the film

star had visited the corner shop later

there was news about her in a magazine

Mike Bailey had visited the corner shop

too later there was a lot of news about

him on TV and now mr. Reisman had

visited the corner shop anna was waiting

for some news about him all three

visitors had been special customers they

had all seen dave they had all been in

the special orders room and they had all

left something with dave beretta gordon

had left her diamond rings Mike Bailey

had left his case mr. Reisman had left

his briefcase Anna wanted to find out

more about the three special customers

she thought about mr. Reisman his case

had the letters AR ICS on it she

understood AR but what was ICS perhaps

mr. Reisman was a businessman and ICS

was his company Anna looked in the

newspapers but she didn't find anything

about ICS she read the magazines she

listened to the radio

she watched TV but there was nothing

about ICS Anna heard nothing she saw

nothing then she had an idea she decided

to go to London and find Arthur Iseman

it was a Friday early in the morning she

left a note for Dave she took the note

to the shop dear Dave it said sorry I

can't come in today I'm going to lid

knee and buying some things for my

wedding Anna the note did not tell the

truth but Anna didn't care Anna took a

bus to Livni and then caught a train to

London she got to Paddington Station at

midday she got off the train and looked

for a telephone box the telephones were

near to the entrance to the station but

the box

were all full she stood and waited then

Anna saw the letters ICS there they were

they were on a huge advertisement Anna

had found the answer to her problem

International Computer Services ICS

perhaps that was mr. Reisman z' company

soon one of the phone boxes was empty

Anna rang the number two to two eight

nine five nine ICS can I help you said a

woman's voice yes please said Anna I

want to speak to mr. Reisman mr. Arthur

Reisman I think he works at ICS the

woman laughed works here yes he does she

said he's the vice chairman of the

company wait one moment please I'll get

his secretary then there was another

woman's voice on the phone mr. Reisman

secretary can I help you yes please said

Anna I'd like to speak to mr. Reisman

who's calling please said the secretary

mr. Reisman doesn't know my name

Anna replied is mr. Reisman expecting

your call the secretary asked no he

isn't

said Anna I'm afraid he can't speak to

you now said the secretary he's at a

meeting now and he's flying to

Switzerland in an hour's time but I must

speak to him for a few minutes

said Anna the secretary became annoyed

that's impossible

she said but I can take a message no

thanks said Anna I'll call again next

week will mr. Reisman be back then yes

he will replied the secretary goodbye

and she put the phone down Anna had

found mr. Reisman s company but she

hadn't spoken to him anna spent the

afternoon in london she went to see a

film then she had tea in a small cafe

near Paddington Station her train left

London at half-past six she bought an

evening newspaper and got on the train

anna was tired but she felt happy after

a few minutes she looked at her

newspaper

Anna was waiting for some news there it

was on the front page private plane

crashed near London six dead all from

ICS six people were killed this

afternoon in a plane crash at M field

near London the plane was flying to

Switzerland the passengers were all from

international computer services ICS

among them was mr. Alfred Glueck the

chairman of ICS mr. Arthur Reisman vice

chairman of ICS told us I am lucky to be

alive I was at a meeting today the

meeting went on for a long time and I

didn't catch the plane mr. Reisman will

probably be the new chairman of ICS

chapter 13 the special orders room Anna

got home about 10 o'clock she turned on

the radio and listened to the news the

chairman of ICS was dead and mr. Reisman

was the new chairman anna didn't sleep

that night she was thinking about Dave

Slaton and the special orders what were

they what was Dave Slaton doing in that

room on Saturday morning she went to the

shop Dave said nothing to her he was

angry because anna had not worked on

friday he didn't ask about her day off

and anna didn't tell him about it at 11

o'clock Dave left the shop he got in his

car and drove off Anna was alone this

was her chance she went to the back of

the shop and turned the handle of the

locked door but the special orders room

was not locked Dave had forgotten to

lock it Anna opened the door and went

into the room it was a small room dark

and hot Anna turned on the light but it

was not a very strong light she looked

round the room there was a small table

two old chairs and a lot of boxes that

was all special orders there were no

order books no papers no pencils Anna

walked round the table it was difficult

because there were a lot of boxes on the

floor

Anna opened one of the boxes and looked

inside she found some old magazines and

newspapers underneath there were some

dirty old clothes but underneath the

clothes she discovered some money lots

of money

British money French money American

German there was money from all over the

world anna was amazed she had never seen

so much money before she looked round

again and found Mike Bailey's case it

was empty

then she found Arthur Reisman's

briefcase that was empty - then Ana

looked into a bigger box inside it were

some dolls with broken arms and legs one

of the dolls was very beautiful but it

had a broken arm

ana put it on the table then Ana found a

book about football inside there were

some pictures of footballers but the

pictures were all torn Anna put the book

on the table

ana looked into the box again and found

some little cars most of them were

broken

she found a small model aeroplane it was

broken - ana put all these things on the

table what a strange collection there

was the money the broken doll the toy

cars the model aeroplane and there was

the football book with the torn pictures

Ana looked at the things on the table

but were they for why did Dave Slayton

keep them in this locked room suddenly

Ana jumped there was a noise behind her

someone was standing at the door

chapter 14 the special customers what

about the diamond rings said a voice it

was Dave Slaton he was laughing I left

the door open for you he said I wanted

you to go into this room this morning

Anna was frightened but she tried not to

show her fear you haven't found the

Diamonds Dave said again Anna remembered

Greta Gordon's diamond rings were they

in this room too

here said Dave he came into the room and

picked up an old box he took out the

Rings and threw them on the table they

aren't yours said Anna they belonged to

Greta Gordon they belong to me

laughs Dave she gave them to me but why

ask Donna why why did Greta Gordon give

you those diamonds and all this money

who gave you the money my special

customers said Dave my special customers

gave me the money it's mine now Mike

Bailey and mr. Reisman gave you all this

money ask Donna yes said Dave you have

seen some of my special customers not

all of them but why do they come and are

asked again these people come to me for

help

replied Dave Slayton I help them and

they pay me but how do you help them ask

Donna Dave Slayton picked up the

beautiful doll with the broken arm

do you remember Joanna Lee he asked

Donna Anna thought for a moment

Joanna Lee she said yes of course I

remember her she's the actress who broke

her arm

Greta Gordon got her part that's right

said Dave Slaton this doll is Joanna Lee

an effect more afraid what kind of man

was Dave Slayton Dave Slayton pointed to

a torn photograph in the football book

who's that Anna he asked Anna remembered

the face she had seen it on TV

Brian Thomas she replied

he's a goalkeeper he was a goalkeeper

said Dave Slayton Anna was terribly

frightened now Dave Slayton was an evil

man Dave Slayton moved close to Anna

he picked up the broken aeroplanes and

what do you think this is

he asked Anna Anna knew the answer but

she was too afraid to speak Dave Slayton

took Anna's arm and held it tightly Anna

tried to move away

Dave Slayton laughed and held an

immortai tea listen Anna he said quietly

I want you I need you marry me Anna

don't marry Peter marry me

No no she cried let me go let me go but

Anna you still don't understand said

Dave Slaton I have strange powers I can

give you everything you want

he looked into Anna's eyes and my

children will have these powers too he

continued I will give you money and

diamonds and you Anna you will give me

children Anna was terrified now she

kicked Dave Slayton very hard and he let

go of her hand

Anna moved quickly she ran out of the

special orders room through the front of

the shop and out onto the street she ran

all the way home

chapter 15 the 31st of October when Anna

got home she felt terrible and went to

bed in the evening Peter came to see her

but Anna was ill in bed I'll come and

see Anna tomorrow Peter told Anna's

mother again Anna did not sleep all

night

the next day Sunday the 31st of October

was a terrible day for Woodend

Anna stayed in bed she had a fever and

her mother phoned the doctor the doctor

came immediately

Anna's very ill said the doctor to

Anna's mother I'm worried I don't know

what's wrong with her I'll come back

again tonight that afternoon Peter came

to Anna's house he tried to speak to

Anna but she was too ill he sat quietly

beside her bed at about 7 o'clock Peter

heard shouting in the street he went to

the window and looked outside people

were running and shouting fire fire fire

there's a fire at the corner shop Peter

ran out of Anna's house and into the

street there was a big fire on the

corner the shop was in flames

nobody could see Dave's slate in his

cars here said mr. Hart Dave must be

inside then the villagers saw him he was

standing at an upstairs window jump Dave

they shouted jump save yourself but Dave

did not move he was standing at the

window and he was laughing some of the

women in the street started screaming

mr. Hart tried to run into the shop but

the others pulled him back

flames were leaping up from the shop the

flames reached Dave Slayton

the villagers saw that he was still

laughing that was the last time they saw

him

the flames hit him completely no one was

able to save him and no one ever saw him

again Peter went back to Anna's house

the doctor was in the kitchen talking to

Anna's mother suddenly there was a

scream

they ran upstairs to Anna's room it was

dead

[Music]