As the old lady put the kettle on, Len made himself comfortable at the kitchen table.

“What a lovely kitchen you have Mrs..?”

“Appletree. Cynthia Appletree.”

“Yes it has a lovely view of the back garden, too.”

“How many sugars would you like, Mr..”

“Len. Call me, Len. I’ll take two sugars please. Say – is that a free-standing boiler?” Len asked, pointing to the boiler in the corner of the kitchen.

“Er yes… I mean, I think so.”

“Do you mind if I have a look at it? Boilers are a sort of hobby of mine..”

“Please, go ahead. Nobody’s ever taken an interest in my boiler before. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to see my collection of porcelain elephants?’

Len walked over to the boiler and peered at it closely. As the old lady opened her fridge to take out the milk, Len discreetly blew out the pilot light.

“I’m afraid I’ve only got red-top milk, will that do, Len?”

“Cynthia… Did you realise that your boiler’s pilot light is out?”

“Is it…that’s odd…I, ”

Len sniffed the air. “Do you smell carbon monoxide?”

Still holding the milk bottle, Mrs Appletree sniffed the air as well.

“I don’t think I can smell anything – but then my sense of smell isn’t what it was… Is that bad?”

“Mrs Appletree, this boiler is a death trap!!  You are very lucky to be alive! Thank God I got here when I did!!’

“Its only a few years old..”

“Cynthia…” Len pounded the kitchen table for effect.. “You have to leave this house immediately! This boiler could explode at any time… And if the explosion doesn’t kill you – the carbon monoxide will!!”

“Leave my house?? Cant I just replace my boiler??”

Len sucked the air threw his teeth.

“Mmmm, a new boiler is very expensive you know…. I’m not sure,”

“But if it’s a life and death situation… You know about boilers – how much is a new one?”

“How much do you have?”

“I’ll just check my savings book….”

Mrs Appletree went out the room and came back a few moments later carrying a little blue pocketbook.

“I have £5039 saved up.”

Len shook his head sadly. “The cheapest boiler on the market is £5059”

The old lady looked very dejected. “Oh my oh my, what will I do???”

“Hang on!!” Len said, pointing to the £20 note on th table, “You’re forgetting the twenty pound I’ve come by to give you!! Added together with your savings that will just give you enough money for a new boiler!!”

“You’re right! Oh Len thank God you came along when you did!!”

“You leave everything to me, Mrs Appletree… ” He produced his clipboard and pen and handed it to the lady, “I just need a signature here, here…. And here.”