David was a salesman; a boringly average sort of person in a boringly average sort of job. He sold farm machinery, or, more likely in the new economic climate, he leased farm machinery. David's sales had been dipping of late; the combination of a lack of enthusiasm on David's part and a lack of money on the part of his customers. As a result, at the end of the previous month, he'd been hauled onto the carpet and given an ultimatum by his boss. Hit the road and find new clients; or find a new job.

As David considered the futility of trying to sell farm machinery the old fashioned way in a world of corporate farming, his reverie was interrupted by a road sign.

CARRISFORD 3 MILES

'Thank God' sighed David to himself. 'I thought I was never going to hit a town.' Then, pressing down a bit more on the accelerator, David drove towards his last chance.

Carrisford was an anonymous little town, no different to a hundred that David had visited over the years. Not much in the way of economic activity apart from struggling smallholdings and family businesses. It nestled at the base of a series of ancient granite hills, a meandering stream forming the southern boundary of the town. David drove over the ancient stone bridge and down the main street, keeping his eyes open for a hotel or guesthouse. He was in luck, just as he was about to turn around and start searching the side streets, David spied a sign. ......(cont)