Travel Reference
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His name was Brian, and we told him how we came to be stranded on his doorstep. He
nodded along enthusiastically, and laughed at various points including our visit to Lang-
well House just down the road.
'They are a strange bunch down at Langwell House. I'll tell you what, you two wait
there and I'll go and have a word with my wife Mary. I won't be a minute.'
'Mary says that it would be too difficult to sort you out with a bed tonight, but you are
welcome to sleep in the polytunnel,' said Brian when he returned. 'There's lots of hay in
there and I don't think it will be too cold tonight.'
'That sounds amazing. Thank you. We're sorry again for disturbing you.'
'Not at all. Come in and have a quick cup of tea before I show you to your lodgings.'
We were led through to the sitting room and Mary arrived a few minutes later with a
tray of tea.
'I've decided I can't have you sleeping in the polytunnel when we have all these empty
rooms,' she said, sounding very flustered.
'We're more than happy to sleep out there,' said Ben.
'We'll I'm not. It wouldn't be right. I'm sorry, I'm just a bit stressed by all the renova-
tions, and I've been a bit under the weather recently.'
'Yes, of course. We completely understand. We feel really bad just turning up like this.'
'I'llgoandmakeupabedforyouboth,'shesaidanddisappearedoutofthedoor,before
we had a chance to protest further. We hated the idea of being a burden to people, and had
tried to avoid it at every stage of the trip. It was late, they had a sign saying 'no vacancy',
yet they were giving us a room because they felt a sense of guilt and it didn't seem right.
'Brian, we would honestly be much happier to sleep in your polytunnel. We feel really
bad just turning up like this and we hate being a burden on people,' I said.
'No, no, it's fine. Mary doesn't mind,' said Brian nonchalantly.
'Iknow,butit'sclearlynotagoodtime.Thistripisallaboutadventureandtobehonest
a polytunnel would be more exciting for our last night.'
Brian thought for a moment.
'Yep,IsupposeIcanappreciate that.IspentsometimeintheparatroopersandIcansee
what you're saying.'
'We would honestly be so much happier if we didn't take up one of your rooms,' said
Ben.
Brian went to speak to Mary and after a lot of protesting, Mary finally accepted.
Brianledusoutthepolytunnel,which-incaseyouarewondering-isbasicallyagreen-
house made with cling film instead of glass.
'There are a few holes in the roof, but it's not going to rain tonight,' said Brian. 'You'll
befine.Youcanmakeabedwiththehay,andI'veprobablygotaspareblanketsomewhere
that I can give you. What about dinner? Have you eaten at all?'
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