He arrived late and wanted somewhere to stay the night.
Saturday, 31st October, 1964.
The church. No, he did not go to see it.
They thought he was very good-looking.
A house to buy.
A big sign on his house: SHOP Proprietor: Dave Slatin.
Some people wanted the new shop and others did not.
Woodend was too quiet and needed a shop, so people would not have to go to Lidney.
The village had always been quiet and happy, and the shop was causing trouble.
Things the villagers made, such as bread, cakes, flowers, pots, dolls and paintings. Tourists would buy them, and Woodend could make a lot of money.
They would bring their things to him. He would sell them, keep some of the profit, and give them the rest.
The shop was busy. The new assistant was Anna. She started work in late January.
The Corner Shop sold cheap fruit and vegetables, so she did not need to go.
Her friend, Peter.
The visitors bought village products, and the villagers were making a lot of money.
Alone, in a flat above the shop.
SPECIAL ORDERS ONLY: KEEP OUT. No, she never went into that room.
She was a film star. She wanted to see Mr Slatin.
Beautiful diamond rings.
Into the Special Orders room, at the back of the shop.
She wanted to tell him that the film star had come to the shop.
Greta Gordon looked terrible. She was pale and crying.
She asked Anna to tell no one about the visit. Anna was disappointed because she wanted to tell everyone.
The diamond rings were gone.
He did not want to talk about her. She was a Special Order customer, and Anna must not ask any more questions.
She had promised Greta Gordon that she would not tell anyone about the visit.
They were engaged and planned to get married the following year.
Peter played football or cricket. Anna often went to the cinema in Lidney.
She was the actress who was going to star in Beautiful Woman. She broke her arm.
She got the star part in Beautiful Woman.
Why had Greta come to see Dave, and what had happened to the diamond rings?
In the daytime she was with Dave, and in the evening she was with Peter.
To Lidney, in his car.
Peter would not like it.
Peter was always busy on Saturday, so she should not worry.
He was playing cricket in another village and came back very late.
She was pleased. For her, the kiss was wonderful.
Dave was older. Peter was about the same age as Anna.
Dave was quite rich. Peter had no money.
Dave bought her clothes and took her out. Peter never took her anywhere.
To watch a big football match on his television.
A young man.
A small case.
To see Mr Slatin. He said he had an appointment.
She wanted to know about the young man, but then it was time to go home.
She went round the corner and waited.
His small case.
His face was white with fear.
He told her to leave him alone, got into his car and drove off.
Why had he come to The Corner Shop? What was his Special Order? Why had he left his case with Dave?
She was helping Mrs Hart in the kitchen. They were making tea.
Mike Bailey.
The ball hit his neck and he broke it. He would never play football again.
She recognized Mike Bailey. She had met him the day before at The Corner Shop, and he looked frightened.
To London.
Why do people come to see you?
They come for help, and he sells help to them.
She could ask only one question, and he had already answered it.
He stayed in Woodend. He did not play because he did not feel well.
About Dave, and about Greta Gordon and Mike Bailey.
Peter would not listen. He walked out of the house.
She was waiting for another Special Customer.
A.R. I.C.S.
Mr David Slatin.
Arthur Roberts.
Dave called him Mr Riseman.
Arthur Riseman.
She stayed in the shop.
Mr Riseman's briefcase.
He held her wrists and told her to leave the briefcase there. Then he left.
News about Mr Riseman.
Greta Gordon left her diamond rings. Mike Bailey left his case. Mr Riseman left his briefcase.
I.C.S.
Go to London and find Arthur Riseman.
On a huge advertisement.
International Computer Services.
At a meeting.
To Switzerland.
By plane.
The Chairman of I.C.S.
He was not on the plane, and he became the new Chairman.
Mr Riseman.
She was thinking about Dave Slatin and the Special Orders.
Dave had forgotten to lock the door.
A lot of money, from many countries.
The doll had a broken arm, the aeroplane was broken, and the pictures were torn.
Dave left it open because he wanted Anna to go into the room.
His Special Customers. Greta Gordon gave him the diamonds. Mike Bailey and Mr Riseman gave him the money.
The actress who was going to star in Beautiful Woman.
She broke her arm, and Greta Gordon got her part.
Brian Thomas.
It was torn.
He broke his neck and was no longer a goalkeeper.
The broken aeroplane.
"And what do you think this is?"
The aeroplane stood for the plane crash. Anna was too afraid to say it.
He asked her to marry him and give him children.
She said no, kicked him, and ran home.
She was very ill, with a fever.
He was still laughing.
She died.