THE STRANGER

Why did i chose this book ?

I chose this book because friends recommended me this book and its name really interested me

A little about the book :
Woodent was a small , quiet village with no shops , no visitors . Then a stranger came and opened the corner shop.

That summer , visitors came to woodend . And customers came secretly to the shop . They wanted help and the stranger helped them .

chpter 1

Hi Dear Diary I’m Dave, I’m tall, I have dark hair and strange green eyes.

I come from Lidny town near woodend

Today Saturday 31st October 1964 I came to woodend, I was really interested in the village, at the same time I was looking for a place to sleep I knocked on the door and said to the woman who opened it “Good evening madam I’m sorry, very late but you have the option to help me, is there a hotel in this village ? ”

The woman laughed “Hotel here ?! In the woodend ?! No I’m sorry, I do not think there is,”
What a pity I said I’m a stranger here and I wanted to see your village tomorrow, I tried to behave very politely .
After a few minutes the woman said to me, “Maybe Mr. Harrinson has a room for you. Let me take you there.”
We got to Mr. Harrinson’s house and she gave me a room for the night, I literally informed her about it,

I got up in the morning and started walking in the village I was very interested about the history of woodend was really nice I even knew some people who live here,
I was told come to visit the church is unconventional but I refused the offer I was not interested in the church. I did not go with any villagers to church, it was the first day of November. I disappeared before they could leave the church.

Hey im back again! “Today is the first day of December, I went back to woodend, all the villagers came out of the church it was dark and cold, I said to them” hello I came back it’s really nice to see you all here again ”
I knew the words I would say now would surprise everyone “maybe you can help me I’m looking here in the village to buy a house” one of the villagers said “but why exactly here?
all the young people leave the village they find work in Lindy the nearest town “,

“I’m going to get a job somewhere,” I said, “maybe even in Lindy.”
One of the villagers approached me and told me about Mr. Smith’s house, “Mr. Smith died in the summer and his house is empty for sale” The house was located on the corner of Main Street and Church Lane.
I told him “I will ask about this house tomorrow maybe I will be lucky, I just have to go I said”,
I got in my car, I heard people whispering “his car looks expensive he must be rich”.

A few days after I bought Mr. Smith’s house, about the middle of December I moved into the house, worked very very hard on renovating the house I repaired the roof, the broken windows, painted and redesigned the whole house and it was all a big surprise to the residents, on Monday morning November 21st everyone saw the sign above my house.

THE CORNER SHOP proprietor: Dave Slatin

chapter 2

villagers could not believe it. Shop at woodend?!? Everyone talked about my shop, told me there was once a shop at woodend, but it closed 20 years ago. Some people wanted my shop, but others did not. All the villagers gathered in the evening. Everyone was interested in the shop in one way or another “corner shop is actually a good idea” someone said “we really needed a shop at woodend“. “We will not have to go to lidny anymore” Mr Harrinson spoke. I agree he said, “A shop in the village is a good idea. 

Too quiet here. Woodnet needs a shop. “” What nonsense, Lidney is not that far from here and in addition there are a lot of shops there. “Said Mrs. Brown, after a short time everyone started shouting, and suddenly Mr. Art silenced us he was a very big man with a very loud voice,” Listen everyone! “He shouted, ‘We’ve never had problems in this village before. We were always quiet and happy. Now this shop is causing problems. “,” Let Mr. Seltin speak “Someone said.” This is his shop Let him speak “,” Ladies and gentlemen “I said aloud,” I do not want to cause any problems, I’m still a stranger in this village, but I want to be a part of you, I Want to connect with you guys and I love the people here at Woodend! “I smiled and some people applauded me,” the corner shop will sell a lot of things “I said. They will sell food and things for the house there. And everything there will be cheap, I promise” everyone heard my voice, 

“There’s another idea,” I said, “I’m selling village produce,” “what do you mean when you say 

“Village products”? , Mrs. Brown asked me, 

“I’ll tell you, Mrs. Brown,” I said 

“I know you make cakes and beautiful bread,” “and you Mr. Art I saw your flowers, you grow very beautiful flowers” I said. , 

One of the villagers shouted “Let’s collect all our things and sell some of them to tourists in the summer, Woodnet can make a lot of money”, 

“But what about the money you make,” said Mr. Harrinson, “how will Dave pay us?” “I told him ‘good question’ bring me the products I will sell them, I will keep some of the profit and the rest part to you,” 

“What a good idea,” said Mrs. Brown 

“Yes I agree” said Mr. Art, 

All the villagers agreed with me. 

corner shop :

Opened on Monday, January 4, 1965, 

Soon the shop was busy and I pretty much needed help the new maid in my shop was Anna, she started working with me in the shop at the end of January

chapter 3

I fulfilled my promise, the things in the store were really good and cheap. “How does he do that?” Mr. Harrinson asked. “It’s winter but he’s still selling lots of fruits and vegetables. And they’s cheap. I’ll never have to go to Lydney again in my life,” he said. 

The other villagers agreed. The corner shop was a great success for me, I was very happy, I paid Anna a good salary. sometimes her friend Peter helped us in the store and I gave him money as well, I advertised my store in the newspapers and the products were sold in the village properly. People from Lydney came to my store. Lots of visitors came, Woodnet became more interesting. 

The villagers were pleased. The villagers made a lot of money, I lived alone in the apartment above the store. I was very popular in the village, but no one ever came to my apartment and no one ever saw what was inside. Under my stairs were two doors, one of the doors led into an equipment shed. And on the other door was a sign that said: 

“Special orders only”! Keep out  ! “ 

The door was always locked. Anna never walked into the special room, “Why are you locking the room Dave?” Anna asked me one day. “What’s inside the room?” 

“It’s for special orders,” I replied. “Great orders,” “but you will not receive large orders at woodend,” Anna said. I did not answer I did not want to talk about this room.

Chapter 4 

For three months everything was normal. One day in April, an unusual customer walked into my store, the new customer was a very beautiful woman. She was wearing expensive clothes and she arrived in a big car, “Is this the corner store?” The woman asked. 

She looked around and looked a little surprised. 

“Yes,” Anna replied. “This is the corner shop. It’s the only shop in the whole village.” “I’m looking for Mr Saltin, the shopkeeper,” the woman said. “I think he’s upstairs,” Anna replied, “I’m going to call him, does he know your name?”, “Yes, in my opinion,” the woman said hesitantly. “Tell him … that Miss Gordon is here. Miss Greta Gordon.” Anna was amazed. “Are you Greta Gordon, the movie star?”, “Yeah thats right,” “Wait a minute,” Anna said. “I’m telling Mr. Saltin you’re here” Anna ran upstairs and called me “” Dave! Dave! There’s someone here who wants to see you! ” , ” who is she ? “I asked from downstairs” Miss Greta Gordon! “Anna shouted.” This is Gerda Gordon! Movie star! ” , ” I’m coming ! I said and went upstairs immediately. “Good morning,” Greta Gordon said. She and I shook hands. She had beautiful hands and she wore beautiful diamond rings! Anna in life had never seen so many diamonds in front of her. Miss Gordon looked around. “This is where Do you work, Mr. Saltin? “She asked me, ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘It’s a small place, but it’s big enough for me. 

Follow me, Miss Gordon. I said, Anna was surprised. Greta Gordon and I did not know each other. I did not call her “Greta”, and she did not call me “Dave”. She looked threatened. Anna stared at them, Greta and I walked behind the store into the special order room. Greta Gordon was a customer of special orders, Anna thought it was very strange, she wanted to tell someone about Greta Gordon.Anna loved movies. 

She wanted to tell Peter about the movie star but she had to stay in the store, ten minutes later, Greta Gordon left the special order room and I went upstairs and Greta went straight into the store she looked terribly pale. She cried. Her eyes were red with tears “What happened?” Anna asked. “Can I help you Miss Gordon?”, “No, thank you. I’m fine,” Greta Gordon said. “Do you want to sit down maybe?”, Anna said. She took a chair and the movie star sat on the chair “Should I bring a doctor?” Anna asked. “No!” Greta said. “Please do not tell anyone about my visit here, do not tell anyone!” Anna was disappointed. She wanted to tell everyone about Greta Gordon. She wanted to tell everyone about her famous client. “I want to get you something,” Greta said. “Here’s a picture of my paparazzi. I’ll sign it.” Greta signed the picture and gave it to Anna. “Please keep it,” Greta said. “And please keep our secret, please do not tell anyone.” “Everything is fine,” Anna said. ” I promise ” . 

The movie star kissed Anna. She held Anna’s hand. What a beautiful woman, Anna thought to herself. And these are my hands 

Beautiful seas! Then Anna noticed something, the diamond rings disappeared.

chapter 5

i never talked about Greta Gordon. i never talked about her visit to The Corner Shop. One day, Anna asked me about the film star. ‘How do you know Greta Gordon?’ said Anna. ‘Is she a friend of yours?’ ‘I don’t want to talk about her,’ i 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 i were busy. Mr Hart 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 Anna to marry him. She said yes. They became engaged. They planned 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 in Lidney. He enjoyed sports and she loved watching films. One day, Anna was reading  

Film News. This was a lnagazine 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 me. ‘Look, Dave,’ she said. ‘Here’s a story about Greta Gordon’ Isn’t it great! She’s got the big part in Beautiful Woman.’ i looked at the magazine. ‘I don’t know anything about films,’ i said. ‘Is Greta Gordon a big star?’ Anna laughed. ‘Big star? Yes, she is! She’s terrific!’ i did not seem interested. ‘I hope she’s happy with her big part,’ was all what i said. 

chapter 6

Summer tourists were arriving in Woodend. 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 me too. i was older, but she liked me. All the women liked me in woodend. But  

,Anna was very close to me all day. In the daytime, Anna was with me. In the evening, she was with Peter. Anna was living two lives. One life was with me , the other life was with Peter. Then one Friday, i surprised Anna. ‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ i 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,’ i said . ‘We won’t go far! I’ll close the shop at lunchtime and we can go to Lidney.’ Anna wanted to go with me, but she was worried about Peter. ‘Don’t worry about Peter,’ i said . ‘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! ‘ i laughed . ‘Anything you want, Anna!’ So the next afternoon i and Anna went together to Lidney. They had a good time. i bought Anna a new, expensive dress. Then they went to a cinema and, wards, to a restaurant. Peter played cricket that Saturday. He never knew about Anna’s day with me. He was playing in another village and returned to Woodend very late. i and Anna were also very late. I stopped his car near The Corner Shop. The night was warm. ‘Thanks, Dave,’ said Anna. ‘It was a lovely day.’ ‘I enjoyed it too,’ i said . i put my arm round her shoulders and kissed her. It was a quick kiss. But for Anna, it was wonderful. 

chapter 7

The summer passed. The Corner Shop was always busy.

Sometimes, i 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 me. i was her boss, and i was older than her. But Peter was her fiance, and he was about the same age. I ” was quite rich, but Peter had no money. i 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 Slatin.’ ‘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 i spoke behind Anna. She had not seen him. ‘Yes, I’ve been waiting for you,’ i said . ‘You’re late.’ 

‘I’m very sorry Mr Slatin, said the young man. ‘1 was …’ ‘Never mind. Never mind’ i said  rudely. My rudeness surprised Anna. The young man seemed afraid. ‘But can you see me now?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ i said . ‘Come in.’ i turned to Anna. ‘Anna, it’s after five o’clock. You can go home now.’ ‘I won’t be long,’ said Anna. i was angry. ‘Hurry up and go home,’ i said. But Anna wanted to stay. She wanted to know about the young man. The young man followed me 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 vent 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 me. ‘Are you sure?’ said the young man. ‘What do you mean?’ I asked . ‘Is this the only way?’ said the young man. ‘Yes, it is,’ i said . ‘Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. Goodbye.’ Anna heard the shop door close. 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 have left something behind 

The young man turned round. Anna stopped. 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 luan come to The Corner Shop? What was his Special Order? And why had he left his small case with Dave Slatin? 

chapter 8

The next day was the day of the big football match. Mr Hart had invited about ten 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 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 you take it in to 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 twenty minutes. The score was 2-0. 

Then the other side scored two quick goals. It was 2-2. 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 goal., keeper’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 Hart 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

Anna did not know what to do. She was only seventeen, but sometimes she felt much older. She wanted to ask me about Mike Bailey and Greta Gordon. She wanted to know about Special Orders. She decided to wait. One day, i and Anna were alone in the shop. ‘How’s Peter?’ i ask . ‘He’s fine, thanks,’ said Anna. i smiled. ‘Is he still playing football?’ ‘Of course he is,’ said Anna. i 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?’ i ask. Anna replied quickly. ‘I don’t see him much at weekends. He plays football then.’ ‘When are you getting married?’ I asked . ‘I don’t know,’ she replied. ‘We haven’t decided yet. Perhaps next year.’ ‘That’s a long time.’ i smiled at Anna. Anna felt afraid. She also felt excited. She did not know why. ‘Sometimes you’re bored, Anna, aren’t you?’ I said . i looked into her eyes.  

Yes,’ said Anna. ‘That’s true.’ ‘Why don’t you come away with me for a weekend,’ i said . ‘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 to me . ‘I must think of Peter.’ ‘Oh, forget him,’ i said . ‘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 me . ‘Perhaps I’ll come with you,’ she said. ‘Good!’ i said . ‘That’s great!’ ‘But first,’ said Anna. ‘I want to ask you something.’ ‘What do you want to know?’ i said quietly. ‘I want to know about your Special Orders.’ ‘Very clever,’ i said . ‘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. i was angry. ‘One question – you can ask me one question,’ he said. Quickly, Anna asked: ‘Why do people come to you? Why …’ ‘One question! Only one!’ I shouted . ‘All right!’ said Anna. ‘But don’t shout. Tell me. Why do people come to see you?’ i thought about my answer. i spoke quietly. ‘They come for help,’ i said. ‘They need help. And 1 give – no, 1 sell help to them. That’s all!’. 

Anna did not understand. ‘What sort of help?’ she asked me. ‘One question!’ i shouted . ‘I’ve answered your question.’ Anna said no more. She and i had made an agree… ment. Anna had asked me question. i had answered it. i had invited Anna to London for the weekend. And Anna went with me

chapter 10

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 Woodend 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. ‘You 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 Slatin.’ ‘What do you mean – me and Dave Slatin?’ 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 did not 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 a11d about Mike Bailey. But Peter had left her. 

chapter 11

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 did not go out much. She looked ill. Most of the villagers knew that Anna had quarrelled with Peter. They also knew that she had been to London with me. 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 moustache. 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 Slatin,’ said the man. Anna smiled. ‘Are you a salesman?’ she asked. She knew that he was not a salesman. He did not 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 salesmen.’ She looked at the man’s case. It had the letters A.R. I.e.s. printed on it. ‘Thank you,’ said the man very politely, ‘but I have a private appointment. I’ve come from London and I must see Mr Slatin.’ ‘I’m sorry,’ said Anna. ‘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.’ Anna went to the back of the shop. i was coming down the stairs. ‘There’s a man in the shop,’ said Anna. ‘He wants to speak to you.’ ‘Thanks Anna ,’ i said . And he went to the front of the shop. ‘Good morning, Mr Riseman,’ i said  ‘I’m pleased to meet you!’ Anna listened. Riseman! The man’s name was Riseman, not Roberts! What a liar! The man did not look at Anna. ‘I’m pleased to meet you, Mr Slatin,’ the man said. ‘Please come with me,’ i said . Mr Riseman followed me. They went into the Special Orders room. 

A minute later, i came out. i came to the front of the shop. ‘It’s lunchtime, Anna,’ i said. ‘You can go home now.’ ‘Thanks, Dave,’ said Anna. ‘I’m going in a few moments.’ i went back to the Special Orders room. Anna did not leave the shop. She waited. Anna wrote down the letters A.R.LC.S. She understood ‘A.R.’ – ‘Arthur Riseman’. But she did not understand ‘I.e.s.’ At half past one Anna heard noises. Mr Riseman was leaving. i was talking. ‘Thank you, Mr Riseman,’ i said . ‘And thank you,’ said Mr Riseman. ‘You have helped me a lot.’ ‘Good,’ i said . ‘Goodbye, Mr Riseman. My assistant isn’t in the shop, but you can open the door. Goodbye.’ Dave went upstairs and Mr Riseman came into the front of the shop. Anna was sitting quietly in a corner. ‘Oh!’ said Mr Riseman. ‘I thought you had gone home.’ ‘No,’ she said. ‘I decided to have lunch in the shop today.’ Anna and Mr Riseman looked at each other. They did not like each other. There was silence. Anna spoke first. ‘Would you like to buy some bread, Mr Roberts?’ she said. ‘Riseman, my name is Riseman,’ said the man. Anna smiled. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘Would you like to buy some home–made bread, Mr Riseman?’ ‘It looks delicious,’ said Mr Riseman. He was very polite again. ‘Yes, I’ll take some, please. My wife will love it.’ ‘Here you are,’ said Anna. She put the bread in a bag. 

Then she said, ‘You can put it in your briefcase.’ ‘My briefcase?, said Mr Riseman. ‘1 haven’t got a brief.. case.’ ‘1 think you’ve forgotten it,’ she said. ‘I’ll go and get it for you.’ Anna moved towards the back of the shop. Mr Riseman stepped in front of her. He held her wrists. He was very strong. ‘Listen to me,’ he said. ‘1 don’t want that briefcase. Leave it there.’ ‘All right,’ said Anna. ‘Please, let me go. You’re hurting me!’ Mr Riseman let go of Anna and turned towards the door. He left the shop hurriedly. He had not taken his bread with him. Anna watched Mr Riseman leave. Her hands were still hurting five minutes later. 

chapter 12

Anna waited for some news about Mr Riseman. 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 Riseman 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. Greta Gordon had left her diamond rings. Mike Bailey had left his case. Mr Riseman had left his briefcase. Anna wanted to find out more about the three “Special Customers”. She thought about Mr Riseman. His case had the letters A.R.LC.S. on it. She understood ‘A.R.’ But what was ‘LC.S.’? Perhaps Mr Riseman was a businessman and ‘LC.S.’ was his company? Anna looked in the newspapers. But she did not find anything about ‘LC.S.’ She read the magazines. She listened to the radio. She watched TV. But there was nothing about ‘LC.S.’. Anna heard nothing. She saw nothing. Then she had an idea. She decided to go to London and find Arthur Riseman. It was a Friday. Early in the morning, she left a note for me. She took the note to the shop. ‘Dear Dave,’ it said, ‘Sorry I can’t come in today. I’m going to Lidney. I’m buying some things for my wedding. Anna.’ The note did not tell the truth, but Anna did not care. Anna took a bus to Lidney 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 boxes were all full. She stood and waited. Then Anna saw the letters ‘I.C.S.’ There they were! They were on a huge advertisement. Anna had found the answer to her problem. International Computer Services! I.C.S. Perhaps that was Mr Riseman’s company. Soon one of the phone boxes was empty. Anna rang the number 222 8959. 

‘I.C.S. Can I help you?’ said a woman’s voice. ‘Yes, please,’said Anna. ‘I want to speak to Mr Riseman. Mr Arthur Riseman. I think he works at I.C.S.’ 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 Riseman’s secretary. Can I help you?’ ‘Yes, please,’ said Anna. ‘I’d like to speak to Mr Riseman.’ ‘Who’s calling, please?’ said the secretary. ‘Mr Riseman doesn’t know my name,’ Anna replied. ‘Is Mr Riseman 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 Riseman be back then?’ ‘Yes, he will,’ replied the secretary. ‘Goodbye.’ And she put the phone down. Anna had found Mr Riseman’s company. But she had not 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.  

chapter 13

Anna got home about ten o’clock. She turned on the radio and listened to the news. The Chairman of I.C.S. was dead and Mr Riseman was the new Chairman. Anna did not sleep that night. She was thinking about Dave Slatin and the Special Orders. What were they? What was Dave Slatin doing in that room? On Saturday morning she went to the shop.i said nothing to her. i was angry because Anna had not worked on Friday. i did not ask about her day off, and Anna did not tell me about it. At eleven o’clock, i left the shop. i got in my 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 allover 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 Riseman’s briefcase. That was empty too. Then Anna 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. Anna put it on the table. Then Anna 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. Anna looked into the box again and found some little cars. Most of them were broken. She found a small model aeroplane. It was broken too. 

Anna 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. Anna looked at the things on the  table. What were they for? Why did Dave Slatin keep them in this locked room? Suddenly Anna jumped. There was a noise behind her. Someone was standing at the door. 

chapter 14

What about the diamond rings?’ said a voice. It was me Dave Slatin. i 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,’ i said again. Anna remembered Greta Gordon’s diamond rings. Were they in this room too? ‘Here,’ i said . i came into the room and picked up an old box. I took out the rings and threw them on the table. ‘They aren’t yours,’ said Anna. ‘They belong to Greta Gordon.’ ‘They belong to me,’ i laughed . ‘She gave them to , me. ‘But why?’ asked Anna. ‘Why? Why did Greta Gordon give you those diamonds? And all this money. Who gave you the money?’ ‘My Special Customers!’ i said . ‘My Special Customers gave me the money. It’s mine now.’ ‘Mike Bailey and Mr Riseman gave you all this money?’ asked Anna ?  

‘Yes,’ said Dave. ‘You have seen some of my Special Customers, not all of them.’ ‘But why do they come?’ Anna asked again. ‘These people come to me for help,’ i replied . ‘I help them and they pay me.’ ‘But how do you help them?’ asked Anna. i picked up the beautiful doll with the broken arm. ‘Do you remember Joanna Leigh?’ he asked Anna. Anna thought for a moment. ‘Joanna Leigh?’ she said. ‘Yes, of course 1 remember her. She’s the actress who broke her arm. Greta Gordon got her part.’ ‘That’s right,’ i said to Anna . ‘This doll is Joanna Leigh.’ Anna felt more afraid. What kind of man was me ? i 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,’ i said . Anna was terribly frightened now. i was an evil man. i moved close to Anna. i picked up the broken aeroplane. ‘And what do you think this is?’ he asked Anna. Anna knew the answer, but she was too afraid to speak. i took Anna’s arm and held it tightly. Anna tried to move away. i  laughed and held Anna more tightly. ‘Listen, Anna,’ he said quietly. ‘I want you. 1 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,’ i said . ‘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 me very hard and i 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

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, 31st 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 seven 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 me Dave Slatin. ‘His car’s here!’ said Mr Hart. ‘Dave must be inside.’ Then the villagers saw me. He was standing at an upstairs window. ‘Jump, Dave,’ they shouted. ‘Jump! Save yourself.’ But i did not move. i 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 me. The villagers saw that i was still laughing. That was the last time they saw me. The flames hid me completely. No one was able to save me and no one ever saw me 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. Anna was dead. 

NORMAN WHITNEY

The Stranger