A sharp intake of breath from the mechanic.
I knew immediately it was going to cost me.
‘It’s rather bad news I’m afraid’, he uttered.
‘That rattle means it’s a new clutch you see.’

A sharp intake of breath from the car salesman.
I knew immediately I’d get little for my old car.
‘I’ve had a word with the boss’, he said sheepishly.
‘It’s only worth £200’, he said, ‘and that’s about par.’

A sharp intake of breath from the roofer.
I knew immediately this was a bigger job I thought.
‘Your soffits need replacing as well as you gutters’.
‘£3800 all in for cash’ he says, and me, I’m distraught.

A sharp intake of breath from the gardener.
I knew immediately this wasn’t going to be cheap.
‘I’ll need a skip and a second man’, he says.
‘The skip alone is £390 quid’, and I begin to weep.