‘Well, what is it?’ asked John, warming his hands on the cup.

‘Joseph has rented a television set from a shop in York. It’s a trial offer.’

Lily was astonished. ‘You have a television?’

Vera smiled. ‘Yes. I can’t say I was too pleased at first, but it turns out that it has its merits and the news is similar to the cinema.’

John sipped his tea thoughtfully. ‘So, along with Mrs Fawnswater, we now have two televisions in the village.’

‘What’s it like, Vera?’ asked Lily. ‘I’ve seen one in a shop window in York but never close up.’

‘You must come to the vicarage this evening and see for yourself – both of you.’

John and Lily went off to their classrooms to share the news with the children. ‘Two televisions,’ said John. ‘Who would have thought it?’

It was just before morning break when Vera saw Mrs Violet Fawnswater driving carefully in her Austin A40 over the frozen snow and into the car park. Vera walked out to meet her in the entrance hall.

‘Hello, Miss Evans,’ she said. ‘I’m here to collect Phoebe for the dentist.’

‘Yes, Miss Briggs has her ready for collection in the classroom.’

‘She was so excited about the circus.’

Vera’s response was neutral. ‘I’m sure she was.’

As usual, Violet was keen to impress. ‘Yes, we went to London and saw the Bertram Mills Circus.’

‘Really? It’s good, isn’t it?’ said Vera.

‘Oh – so you’ve been?’

‘No,’ said Vera with calm assurance, ‘I watched it on television last night. It was the programme just before What’s My Line?’

Violet’s eyes opened wide in surprise. ‘You have a television set?’

‘Yes, Joseph brought it home on Saturday.’

‘We have a nine-inch screen,’ said Violet proudly.

‘Yes, so have we, but Joseph also has a magnifying glass that slips neatly in front of the picture.’

‘A magnifying glass?’

‘Yes, it increases the picture size to a full twelve inches.’

Violet was aghast at the thought. ‘But that’s huge!’

‘I suppose it is,’ said Vera, unwilling to elaborate further but enjoying putting this boastful lady in her place. ‘Anyway, must get on. Lots to do.’

Violet looked after her, feeling that since there were now two televisions in the village her importance had been reduced by fifty per cent.

At lunchtime Vera called into the General Stores with her shopping list.

‘A tin of Nescafé, please, Prudence, and a bag of sugar.’

Prudence looked surprised. ‘Coffee, Vera?’

Vera sighed. ‘It’s for the staff-room … and it appears Miss Briggs has a liking for American drinks.’

‘I see,’ said Prudence. ‘Changing times.’

‘Indeed,’ added Vera with a knowing nod. ‘And Mr Pruett has taken to preferring it to his usual cup of tea.’