the
corner shop Dave Slayton kept his promises things that the shop was 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 to 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 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 she 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 her
looked around 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
every one 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 5
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 them
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
the 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 a 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 start of a 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 6
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 her
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 than
they went to a cinema and afterward 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 around her
shoulders and kissed her it was a quick kiss but for Anna it was wonderful
Chapter 7
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 minding 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 around the corner and waited soon there was noise the
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 amiss 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
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 me. 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 to 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 goalkeeper's 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 9
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 shophouse 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 to 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 well 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
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 to 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 around 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 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 to 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 goodbye 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 to 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
the 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 was all full she stood and waited then Anna saw the letters ICS there they
where they were in 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
hours 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 reply
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 were 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 around again and found Mike Bailey's case it was
empty then she found Arthur Reisman's empty briefcase - then Ana looked
into a bigger box inside it were some dolls with broken arms and legs one of
the dolls were very beautiful but it had a broken arm and 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 and
looked into the box again and found some little cars most of them were broken she
found a small model airplane it was broken - and put all these things on the table
what a strange collection there was the money the broken doll the toy cars the
model airplane 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 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 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 airplanes
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 immortal tea listen, Anna, he said
quietly I want you I need you to marry me Anna don't marry Peter marry me No no
she cried to 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
your 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 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 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 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 around 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 unusual church 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 someone said but why here there's no...
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