Alice: I’m just going to the shop to get a few bits and pieces. Do you need anything?

Dad: You couldn’t pick up a half a dozen litre bottles of carbonated water could you?

Alice: I would Dad but I am going by bike and I can’t get anything heavy. It’s more a case of anything small and urgent  — then I’m your girl.

Dad: Well we need batteries for the remote control. They are small and really urgent. We’ll not be able to watch TV otherwise

Alice: More urgent for you than for me. But no problem, batteries: Anything else?

Dad: I think we are pretty low on toothpaste and maybe soap. Do you want to check?

Alice: I checked already and we have plenty.

Dad: I know what we really need  — a roll of insulation tape. Some wires have come loose under the stairs and I promised your mum that I would sort it out. Actually we need a new box of fuses as well. They really have run out because I looked yesterday. And by the way we need a new screwdriver set because

Alice: I am not sure if I can get those from the shop on the corner. Probably it will be necessary to go into the centre of town.

Dad: Why don’t we both go? I’ll take the car and then we can stock up on some of the heavier things like water, fruit and veg.

Alice: You haven’t looked outside have you? There’s been an accident at the top of Gardner Street. The police have now closed it to cars and set up a diversion but the traffic is at a complete standstill. The only way to travel just now is by bike or on foot which is why I am going to cycle there.

Dad: I didn’t realize. Was it a bad accident?

Alice: They say on the radio news that nobody was hurt but 5 vehicles are involved and they don’t expect the road to be open again until later this evening.

Dad: I see. So we won’t get a chance to visit the town centre shops until tomorrow. In that case just some batteries  — if they sell them at the corner shop. I hope they do because I don’t know how a TV addict like you will possibly survive a whole evening without TV

Alice: Ha-⁠ha. Well it takes one to know one

Dad: Be careful on the bike. The traffic may be at a standstill but there are always a few drivers who go on pavements and similar stunts. Have you asked your Mum or brother if they need anything urgent?

Alice: I asked Mum but she doesn’t need anything. Michael’s still not home from college.