Episode 21 Sunday: Arnold Plays a Dirty Trick. Part 1 – Cars are dangerous.

Narrator Hello again. There's no good news, I'm afraid. In fact, things are going from bad to worse. There's no doubt that Cynthia Benson has been kidnapped. The Headmistress of her school told Sheila that Cynthia had been collected by the Bensons' new housekeeper a few days earlier ... The Bensons don't have a housekeeper.

Interestingly enough, the description of the supposed housekeeper given by the Headmistress was very, very similar to that given by Andy of the mystery woman in his 'nightmare'. Which reminds me. Why not take a look at the woman with Arnold in Episode 3? She fits the description to a 'T'. So what do you think Arnold is up to? Is he behind the kidnapping?

Andy I don't like it, Uncle Arnold.

Arnold Trust me, Andy.

Andy I do trust you. You know I do, but...

Arnold Just bear with me, Andy. It won't be long now.

Andy But what are we looking for?

Arnold For the houseboat... And the woman.

Andy Maybe I just imagined it.

Arnold No, you didn't. I was there, too.

Andy You? But how? When?

Arnold I don't know how, but I do know when.

Andy Bloody idiot.

Arnold Yes. But don't swear, Andy.

Andy He could have killed us. Oh! Look out!

Arnold Hold on! Hold tight! ...

Narrator In the circumstances, I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this. But it's good for your English. So, let's repeat and role-play. We'll soon be back with the story ...

Part 2 – In the hospital

Doctor They'll both live, Mr Benson.

Peter But how are they? What about Andy? What damage ...

Doctor Your son has a broken leg, and some facial bruises. Nothing very serious.

Peter And Mr Watson?

Doctor He was badly shaken up. Cuts and bruises. That's all.

Peter Yes. Trust him to be OK.

Nurse Doctor!

Peter How long will they be in hospital?

Nurse Doctor! Could I have a word with you?

Doctor Just a moment, nurse. Your son will be here for about a week. Mr Watson about three to four days ...

Nurse But he's gone! Mr Watson's gone, doctor!

Part 3 – a dirty trick

Narrator Peter has just got home. Sheila's waiting anxiously.

Peter Andy'll be all right.

Sheila Yes. Arnold told me.

Peter Arnold? Did he phone?

Sheila No. He was here just a few minutes ago.

Peter Here? Arnold?

Sheila Yes, of course. I gave him the cassette.

Peter You gave Arnold the cassette? But why?

Sheila He asked for it. I thought you'd told him about it.

Peter I didn't even see him. What on earth is all this about?

Narrator Arnold seems to have played a dirty trick on Sheila. Why did he take the cassette? Do you think he's trying to hide the evidence? Well, we'll soon find out.

Episode 22 Monday: The Ransom Note Part 1 – 7 a.M. The note

Narrator Cynthia was abducted last Thursday. Since then Peter and Sheila have heard nothing from her or from the kidnappers. Not until now, that is ... During the night a note was put through the letterbox.

Sheila What does it say?

Peter £ 500,000 ... used notes ... suitcase ... Wednesday. We phone midnight. No police or we kill.

Sheila They want half a million pounds in used notes in a suitcase on Wednesday ...

Peter That's what it says.

Sheila And they're going to phone us at midnight on Wednesday.

Peter Yes. To give us instructions, I suppose.

Sheila Can you raise the money by then?

Peter No. It's impossible. I don't have it.

Sheila But you must. You've got three full days.

Peter It's not enough time. I think we'd better call in the police.

Sheila No! They'll kill her if we do that.

Narrator I'm sorry to sound pessimistic, but they may murder Cynthia in any case. After all, she must have seen them ... What would you do if you were in Peter's shoes? Play along with the kidnappers or contact the police? Let's do some more work and then get back to the story. Lots of things are happening just now.