A scene from the throne room

Two bids on the Kirkgate shelter, both opened at my elbow: the coat-and-hat firm wants nine compliments and a stool, the other will do it for one nap and take the bench with them. Given the stool is load-bearing, I recommend the nap.

Both refused, so the tender falls to our preferred bidder, the carpenter — who is up a ladder at the Pyxwell Almshouse until the eighth and cannot be reached but by shouting. The shelter seats six; the carpenter seats none.