British English Listening Practice: 1 Hour Story Compilation – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary

1.one of the best ways to improve your English language skills is to immerse yourself in the sounds and rhythms of native English speakers but I know that you only have a limited amount of time to spend learning English so to help with that I put together 10 original English stories that were on this channel all together in one video I've removed all help on vocabulary and pronunciation of course I put links to the original stories in so if you want you can go back and refresh yourself on how to pronounce these words correctly but this video is just the stories and that means that you can just press play and listen to them while you get on with other things maybe going for a walk maybe doing housework or maybe going shopping hi I'm Steve let's do this she wore red as usual Pete was the last to leave his office and he hurried to the lift he was excited because he was going on a blind date that had been arranged by a colleague he had been told to meet her at the cafe across the road when he'd finished work and that he would would recognize her because she would be wearing something red having gotten to the lift Peter just pressed the button for the ground floor when he heard a voice shout hold the lift please hearing this he quickly placed his foot against the door to stop it closing a moment later a woman entered the lift saying thank you so much I was frightened i' miss it and I've gotten important meeting tonight and I don't want to be late as the doors closed and the lift started its desent Pete noticed that the woman is about his age and really fit she was wearing a big gray coat under which he could just see the hint of a red scarf suddenly the lights flickered and they both felt the lift Judah to a complete standstill what on Earth's happened EX claimed Pete whilst pressing the lift buttons again and realizing the lift still wasn't moving try using the emergency phone the woman said urgently good idea Pete replied picking up the handset after a couple of seconds he heard a voice say hello Forest maintenance how can I help trying to keep his voice calm Pete answered hi we're St St in a lift it's just stopped working the man's reassuring voice said we have people working to fix the problem at the moment it should be back to normal in a few minutes thanks said Pete as he hung up the phone what did they say asked the woman Pete was impressed at how unflustered she seemed he told her that the maintenance man said it should only be a few minutes before they were freed from the lift that's a relief she said I just can't be late deciding the chatting would help pass the time Pete mentioned that he also was meeting someone that evening since moving to the city I don't have much of a social life she explained my friend has fixed me up with a date it would be just my luck to missing with a big smile Pete said well he'd be a fool if he doesn't wait for such a lovely lady as you the young woman blushed and said you're such a flatterer then added I'm Carrie by the way hi I'm Pete no sooner had he said that than they felt the lift start to move making its way towards the ground floor well it was lovely to meet you Pete and it was lovely to meet you too it's a shame we are both busy this evening it would be nice to get to know you better said Pete who found himself really being being attracted to her but before she could reply the lift doors opened and Carrie quickly stepped out shouting I've got a dash bye bye said Pete with a smile but she was already out of the earshot he watched as she exited the building and when he got to the door he was just in time to see that she had already crossed the road and was entering the same Cafe that he had been told to meet his blind date a couple of minutes later smiling to himself he also entered the cafe and saw car sat at the table she had removed her gray coat and he could clearly see the red scarf around her neck which made him smile even more Pete was just about to walk over when he felt a tap on his shoulder turning he saw a smiling woman who said is your name Pete he also noticed the that this woman was wearing a bright red hat yes it is said Pete glancing over his shoulder and seeing a man approached carer's table lost as I lay on my back in a field looking up at the sky two things occupied my mind firstly how bright and twinkly the stars were tonight and secondly that no one would ever ever believe how I got here the day had started like any other Saturday with me not getting up until 11:00 and then popping down to the corner shop for a carton of milk and a packet of I know I should give them up and to be fair I have cut down to only 10 per day but I just haven't got the willpower to stop smoking all together back at my flat I made myself a brew scoffed a bowl of cornflakes and then got comfy in front of my computer ready to try and beat my record for playing Minecraft my favorite video game I had just powered it on when my mobile lit up and started vibrating I glanced at the screen and saw it was an unknown caller and I nearly didn't answer but then curiosity got the better of me hello hi s it's Malcolm from University said a voice I recognized instantly smiling I replied malcol I haven't seen your ugly mug in over five years what are you up to these days well after University I decided to go traveling and ended up in India where I got a job with a telecoms company what about you taking a quick slip of my tea I said nothing as adventurous as you I'm afraid I'm still working at the bank the reason I'm calling Malcolm said is that I've moved back to the UK and bought a cotage surrounded by fields in the middle of nowhere I wondered if you'd like to come to the house Waring without thinking I said come rain or shine I'd love to mate when is it I'm afraid it's quite short notice the parties tonight he said well I've got nothing on just give me directions and I'll be there I said glad of a reason to avoid my usual lonely Saturday night of watching the Telly it's a piece of cake to find he said just turn off the motorway at Junction 17 and head for the village of Bridgeton it's a big white cottage on the left hand side if you do get lost just give me a bell great I replied looking forward to it bye smashing see you later he said as he hung up at 6:00 that evening I decided to get ready I jumped into the shower and then because Sunday is my normal laundry day I put on my only clean shirt in no time at all I had set off and an hour later I turned off the motorway where Malcolm had told me and that's when things started to go wrong I couldn't remember if he said to follow the signs for Bridgton or Brink and I chose the wrong one I drove around and around in circles But Not only was I lost my phone couldn't get a signal and to add insult to injury the fuel warning lights started to Blink on the dashboard of my car I was on a narrow Country Lane so I pulled over next to a big gate that led to a large field and I got out I thought that if I could get on top of the big gate I might at least get one bar on my mobile so gingerly I climbed up and after a couple of false starts I stood balancing at the very top of the gate holding my phone high above my head and trying not to fall when a voice said the reception's terrible here isn't it my heart skipped a beat all my problems were over I could ask for this stranger's help and I could get on my way quickly I turned my head looking for who had spoken but I couldn't see anyone only a large black horse with a snowy white Mane standing nearby in the field suddenly the horse took a step towards me and said do you need a hand I was so shocked I overbalanced and fell off the gate into the field where I landed flat on my back winded the horse came and stood over me looking down he said are you all right yes I stuttered I'm lost where are you trying to get to the horse replied in a strong clear voice my friend has just bought a large white cottage that's somewhere around here I said oh you must mean Malcolm his Cottage is close by and easy peasy to find just drive down the lane until you get to a bridge and then turn left it's down there on the right hand side I staggered to my feet said Thank you and with a nod of his head the horse trotted off across the field bewildered by The Unbelievable event I got back in my car and sure enough a few minutes later I came to a bridge to the left was another small Lane and less than a minute later on the right hand side I saw a lovely White Cottage pulling up outside I went and knocked on the door and it was opened by my old University friend Malcolm hi Tommy greeted me you look a little pale are you feeling okay actually I'm a bit shaking up I said I've just had the most peculiar experience of my life really whatever's happened he said looking concerned I got lost on my way here and I was given dire ctions by a by a talking horse looking puzzled Malcolm said was it a big black horse with a snowy white Mane yes I said well that is very strange Malcolm replied that horse is usually not very good at giving directions the Titanic we had stayed overnight in a small hotel in Southampton inland but even though we had hit the sack early I had hardly slept a wink due to not only the excitement of starting a new life in America but also traveling on the newest biggest liner in the world the Titanic my dad told me that it was the best of both worlds because it was not only opulent but also Unsinkable in hindsight he was half right finally on the 10th of April 1912 the day before my 12th birthday I climbed up the gang way with my mom insisting on holding my hand onto the deck of the most prestigious ship in the world I glanced up and high above me I could see the bridge through the window I could see a man dressed in a smart uniform with a white beard I tugged on my dad's sleeve and pointed saying that man is a dead ring for Granddad he is the spitting image remarked my dad laughing but I believe that's Captain Smith and he's in charge of this ship there was an enormous crowd of people on the dock to see off their family and friends and I wanted to stay and watch but Mom insisted we'd go and check out the layout of the ship what do you think said dad when we arrived at our cabin there's not enough room to swing a cat in here complained mom but at least it's only for a few days so we'll cope suddenly we felt the room and everything in it start to vibrate they've started up the engines exclaimed Dad please can we go up on Deck I pleaded I want to wave to the crowd and I think there's a band you're driving me up the wall mom said but soon relented and with no time to spare we raced up the stairs and we're soon leaning on the railing watching as the port of Southampton and England my home slowly faded into the distance the next day we arrived in France where we took on some more passengers it's too bad I didn't pay more attention to my French lessons in school because I couldn't understand a word that they said it was all double dutch to me we've got one more stop to make before we head off across the Atlantic Ocean mom informed me surprised by this I replied really I thought we would be halfway there by now no it's a quick stop in Island first it shouldn't be much of a delay sure enough just a short while later we were docking in Queenstown Island once the new passengers were safely on board Dad announced that's the penultimate stop the next land we see will be New York America I wonder if we'll ever see England again I thought but I kept it to myself because Mom and Dad seemed so elated our first full day on the ocean was if I'm being honest a little boring I stole a bread roll from the dining room and threw it to the seagulls that followed the ship but something was puzzling me so I asked my mom what happened to all the Irish passengers and those Posh people who got on at Southampton I haven't seen any of them since they boarded mom explained the Titanic has three classes of Passenger and they are kept away from each other the rich folk are first class and they have their own deck and restaurant where they live high on the hog we are second class and the poorer people are in third class and are mainly in cabins on the lower decks I was taken back I thought this was very unfair but Mom was feeling a little seasick so I didn't say anything to her 3 days later and it had started to get cold as we strolled around our second class deck we even noticed large pieces of ice floating in the distance they were about the size of a car and my dad called them icebergs most of the ice stays under the water where you can't see it he said shouldn't we slow down then said Mom in a concerned voice my dad just laughed and said I'm sure the captain knows what he's doing love mom was still feeling under the weather so we turned in early that night but just before midnight I woke up because there was a loud groaning sound and everything was shaking quickly get dressed dad shouted I could hear the panic in his voice what's happening dad I asked still half asleep just do what you father says my mom snapped in no time at all we were fully dressed and standing on the deck there was a small crowd of passengers who were surrounding a sailor demanding to know if we were sinking no he said this is the Titanic it's Unsinkable hearing this mom said should we go back to our cabin to which dad replied I think this is going to go south let's just wait here for a bit so wrapped in our heavy coats to protect us from the biting wind we sat on De chairs and listened as the ship's band played the latest popular Tunes suddenly it was bedum people both passengers and crewmen were running and shouting we stood up and were caught in the Rush Hold My Hand tightly mom shouted taking my hand in a Vic like grip minutes later and my mom was climbing into a Lifeboat when she was see Eed my dad hoisted me in as well but when he tried to follow a sailor said it's women and children only in the lifeboats the company has cook corners and there aren't enough for everyone it was obvious that arguing was futile the Lifeboat started to be lowered towards the water and Mom stood up crying out I'm not going without you to my dad who just smiled and said it's the last resort look after the little one and with a wave steep back onto the deck and out of sight to make a long story short I never saw him again the lesson last Tuesday the strangest thing happened and I learned a valuable lesson that I thought I'd share with you I was strolling around the shops when I saw an elderly gentleman step off the curb into the road right in front front of an oncoming car I darted forward and just managed in the nick of time to pull the Old Gentleman back onto the pavement he was very shaken up but other than that he was unharmed that was a close call he said if you hadn't been here I would have been a goner I'm just glad I could help I replied as we were outside a cafe I said to him let's pop in here I'll buy you a cup of tea hopefully that will make everything seem better I could certainly do with a cup of tea said the man who I later Learned was called Graham but I'll pay I insist a few minutes later and with steaming mugs of tea in front of us we were sat having AATA I quickly realized that graah was a very wealthy man when he used his mobile phone to request his chauffeur pick him up from the cafe in an hour's time being out of work and not having two pennies to rub together I said Graeme I hope you don't mind me asking but how did you come to be so rich it all started when I was a teenager I managed to scrape together 50 p and I went to the local market where I bought some apples I took the apples home and washed and Polished them until they sha and and then I stood on a street corner and sold those apples for 75 and the next day I did the same thing until by the end of the week I had made £3 I listened to the fascinating story of this young entrepreneur please carry on I begged well after 6 months he continued selling apples had made me a grand total of40 he smiled at the memory then what I said please continue wondering if perhaps there would be a similar opportunity for me then he said and this is the most important part I leaned in eager not to miss any pearl of wisdom he threw my way then my uncle died and left me £4 million we both roared laughing until finally graes driver arrived and escorted him away it was then then I realized that he'd left me to pay the bill but I didn't mind I had learned a valuable lesson the big hole is that it said Elaine as the family car sped across the border between England and Wales what were you expecting a passport checkpoint her husband Mike laughed well I've never been here before and I thought there would be a little more than a small road sign saying welcome to Wales a voice from the back seat joined in the conversation are we nearly there yet it was their teenage son kit who had spent the whole journey so far Eng grossed in his mobile phone it should take roughly an hour said his dad upon hearing this kit lowered his head and went back to playing with his mobile after missing out on their annual holiday for 3 years in a row first because of the covid pandemic and then because Mike had been made redundant the family were on their way to have a relaxing week's break in the beautiful Welsh Countryside when Elaine had first suggested it both Mike and kit had objected because in the past they'd always flown to Exotic destinations like Jamaica the Mediterranean coast of turkey or even once to Goa in India where they had stayed in fabulous five-star hotels but with Mike losing his job they had to cut their coat according to their cloth and the family budget just wouldn't stretch to luxury holidays anymore so common sense prevailed and Elaine had got a great deal when she booked a small cottage that was next to a large farm right in the heart of Wales but even though it was a bargain she still had to dip into their savings with the help of the satnav they were soon pulling up outside of a picture perfect Cottage this looks amazing said Mike what you think kit hardly glancing out of the car window his son replied it looks all right do you think it has good wifi with a deep sigh Elaine turned to her son and in an exasperated voice told him we're here for a week to get some fresh air and exercise not to be stuck in front of a computer screen now get out and help your dad carry the luggage in where do we get the keys asked her husband the email said to knock on The Farmhouse door Elaine replied looking around it must be that big house over there without missing a beat kit jumped out of the car and shouted over his shoulder I'll go and get them typical said Mike that boy will do anything to avoid helping me carry the suitcases but in two shakes of a lamb's tail kit was back with the keys to the cottage and they were finally ready to start their holiday after Elaine had knocked up some sandwiches for lunch Mike said let's all go for a walk and explore the area I'm up for that said his wife come on kiss don't be a wet blanket do I need to put my Wellies on mom he asked as he finally put down his phone and stood up I think we all should Elaine said looking out of the window it's not raining now but the forecast is for drizzle later suitably dressed they stepped outside and bumped into an amiable older gentleman wearing a bright blue hat hi Kit he said in a strong Welsh accent looking puzzled elain and Mike turned towards their son who explained this is Fred from the farm I met him earlier when I got the keys to the cottage after they'd all been introduced Mike said we'd better get moving if we want to beat the rain if I were you I'd take the foot path that leads across that Big Field over there Fred said pointing in the direction he meant it's a lovely walk and it's so easy you can do it with your eyes closed cheers Fred they all chorused and with a wave they set off across the field an hour later and with the clouds threatening a downpour with mutual agreement they decided to call it a day when suddenly kit said what's that and made a b line towards the corner of the field which was full of long grass and small bushes when they caught up with him they all stood peering down into what appeared to be a huge hole that was big enough to swallow a double-decker bus how deep you think it is Dad I'm clueless said Mike precariously leaning over the edge it's freaky I can't even see the bottom no sooner had he said that than kit picked up a pebble and chook Ed it into the hole they all waited but it was so deep none of them heard it land try a bigger Stone encouraged Mike but Elaine was less impressed and wandered off to sit on an old tree trunk that had been cut and left at the edge of the long grass after several attempts of chuing progressively larger stones in they still hadn't heard any noise from the bottom of the hole maybe it's bottomless Mike joked per perhaps it goes all the way to China I've had enough and that sky looks ominous let's shake a leg said Elaine getting up from the old tree trunk she'd been resting on okay love let's go said Mike but when he noticed what his wife had been sitting on he got a gleam in his eye kit give me a hand with this he shouted as he bent to lift one end of the trunk we should hear this when it hits the bottom of that hole and after a lot of struggling with even a lane helping they finally heaved it over the edge and into the hole which was no easy feat suddenly from out of the bushes charged a large black goat running at full speed towards them look out Mike shouted but they were all too surprised to move and stood stuck still like statues as the goat rushed past them towards the hole and without hesitating it jumped right in quickly but cautiously they went to the edge and looked down but there was neither sight nor sound of the goat do you think it committed suicide mom said kit but she was so shocked the cat had got her tongue and all she could do was slowly shake her head finally without another word they all turned and started the walk back to the cottage when they finally arrived at the end of the field they ran into Fred the farmer who looked agitated you haven't seen my goat have you he asked kit was the first to reply we certainly have we were up in the field by a huge hole and a big black goat ran up to it and jumped in well that can't have been my goat Said Fred because I used a long piece of rope to tie it to an old tree trunk the bad news it was pouring down and Rachel was made up that she had remembered to bring her umbrella she just finished work and had set off for home as she walked towards her car she passed a travel agents and on a whim popped in hi what can I help you with today the assistant asked with a smile this weather is miserable and I need to get away for a few days Rachel replied where do you recommend needing a few more details the travel agent asked what type of holiday are you looking for that's easy came the quick reply I just need a nice hotel a beach and lots of sunshine the travel agent glanced at her computer and said then I've got just the thing and with a couple more clicks of her Mouse continued there's a week's stay at a great hotel in Spain that's available and If you book it today there's a huge discount I like the sound of that said Rachel so I'll book it now so I don't miss the boat less than 10 minutes later and her holiday was booked and Rachel was in her car driving home when she arrived she was greeted by her elderly grandmother who she lived with and Pepsi her jet black cat did you have a nice day her grandmother who Rachel called Nan asked it was the same old same old Nan Rachel replied but I do have some exciting news I booked a holiday to Spain that sounds lovely when are you going Nan asked a week on Monday Rachel explained I'll make sure David looks in on you whilst I'm away to make sure you're okay Nan looked relieved as she had been feeling under the weather for the past few weeks and said it will be smashing to see him these days he only seems to come to visit once in a blue moon after they'd eaten and Rachel had fed Pepsi she gave her brother David Abel hi David I booked a week's holiday for a week on Monday it was a spare of the moment thing and I was hoping you could look in on Nan and Pepsi whilst I'm away to make sure they're okay sure replied her brother you enjoy yourself and I'll make sure Nan and your cat are fine don't worry great I'll leave you instructions on how to feed Pepsi seriously Rachel I can feed a cat it's not rocket science Rachel grinned and replied well it's good of you to step up I really appreciate it the following week as Rachel sat at her desk in work seemed to drag as Rachel daydreamed about her upcoming holiday she had expected it to cost an arm and a leg but the travel agents had arranged a huge discount which meant she would have more spending money while she was there although all of their colleagues were a little surprised as it really wasn't like her to do things at the drop of a hat finally the day arrived and David had offered to give her a lift to the airport Rachel was pleased as he gave her the chance to go over the instructions for looking after Nan and Pepsi with him one last time 3 days later and a sunburnt relaxed and very happy Rachel decided that she should telephone her brother to put her mind at ease that everything was fine at home hi David it's me Rachel she said as soon as he answered oh hi Rachel he said how's your holiday going it's fantastic how are things at home she replied your cat's dead David said abruptly with her heart thumping and Tears In Her Eyes Rachel said why would you tell me something so horrible in such an awful way you should have broken the news gently to me I'm sorry said David who wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer what should I have said you could have said the perhaps Pepsi had climbed onto the roof so you went up there after her then she got frightened and jumped from the roof into a tree maybe you could have said that you called the fire brigade to help get her out but when they put the ladder against the tree the cat got frightened and she fell you rushed her to the vets but he couldn't save her and she sadly passed away that would have been far Kinder than saying your cat's dead Rachel shouted you're right that would have been better said her brother I'll remember that for next time I have to break bad news so how's our grandmother Rachel asked David thought for a moment and then said well she climbed out onto the roof the big win I'm pretty ordinary I'm average looking I have a r of the mill job and until a few weeks ago I had a normal marriage which makes what happened to me all the more extraordinary allow me to introduce myself my name is Robert but everyone calls me Bob I live in the city of Nottingham which is in the center of England and of course is most famous as the home of the legendary Outlaw Robin Hood I got married 7 years ago to my childhood sweetheart Sandy and although like everyone else we've had our ups and downs I've never regretted it that is until I came home after a particularly tough day and Sandy dropped a bombshell I've started seeing someone else I want a divorce at first I thought it was a sick joke but she carried on I've packed your clothes I think you should leave tonight I finally found my voice and said who is it although in my heart I already knew it's Zach from work she replied this was no surprise to me as she never stops talking about her new manager Zach and how wonderful he is I remember she once got really annoyed when I made fun of his name Zach saying it sounded like something you'd call a police dog after a brief argument and some tears mostly mine I agreed to move out and I've been crashing with my brother ever since since of course solicitors have become involved and we would already be divorced except for one big sticking point money it's not that we're rich but we planned on taking a trip across Africa and have been saving up for the last couple of years putting a little aside every month and we've built up a nice little Nest Egg of over £55,000 the obvious and fair thing to do would be to split is in too but Sandy is insisting that she gets it all and I've dug my heels in which brings us bang up to date and I'm driving around to what was the matrimonial home to have it out with her being low on petrol I decided to stop and fill up while gasping at the High Cost of fuel these days I walked into the kiosk to pay and was handing over my credit card when a sign for lottery tickets caught my eye it said that tonight's prize was a rollover and would be an eyew watering 12 million so on a whn I chose to buy one I needed six numbers the first was easy my birthday 22 then my brother's house number 18 after this I drew a blank so I randomly chose 4 35 42 and N once I bought it I folded it up and popped it in my pocket jumped back in my car and headed for Sand's she had insisted that I give her my key so I had to knock and when she opened the front door I saw she was wearing a very Posh dress and was obviously dressed to go out you needn't have got all dressed up for my sake I joked for your information Zach is taking me out tonight so I'd appreciate you just signing this she said thrusting a chief of papers into my hands what are they I asked knowing full well they were the divorce papers my solicitor has Drew them up she said in exasperation he said if you sign them tonight agreeing that I keep all of the 55,000 we can go our separate ways and never have to see each other again there is no way I'm even entertaining signing this I said trying to sound firm but instead sounding a little whiny she then turned and started climbing the stairs saying over her shoulder take them into the living room and read them whilst I continue getting ready for Zach we need to get this bottom tonight bloody Zach I thought as I went into the living room that name still sounds like it belongs to a dog I sat on the sofa that Sandy and I had bought when we first got married and glanced at the papers they said that if I agreed to give Sandy all of our savings she would never make any claims against me ever again I threw them onto the coffee table there was no way I was signing them in the corner of the room the Telly was on with the sound turned down low the news had finished and the lottery drawer had just started with nothing else to do I watched as the first ball was drawn it was 18 my brother's house number followed by 42 and then my birthday 22 I fished in my pocket for the ticket i' bought earlier and confirmed that I had the first three numbers my face broke into its first smile in weeks I had just won 10 quid by the time I had looked back up at the Telly another two numbers had come out nine and four Cy I'd got those as well how much do you get for five numbers maybe a few hundred quid and now the final number is said the TV presenter I watched in disbelief as a silver ball with the number 35 rolled onto the screen my eyes shot from the television screen to my now trembling hand holding the ticket 18 42 22 9 4 and 35 if I check them once then I checked them 20 times I had them I had all the numbers from the TV I heard tonight's lucky winner will win a life changing 12 million I wanted to shout at the screen it's me Bob I'm the lucky winner but instead I picked up the pen and quickly signed the papers gold digger dad she's just after your money his son's words hurt Betsy isn't like that Max he replied you might as well know we're getting hitched next month and I expect you to be there Max was stood looking out the window at the Grand Garden of his father's Mansion when he said no wonder mom left you last year I think you should clear off his father shouted but but don't you think it's fishy Max pressed I mean her last husband died and she ends up with all his Doh and now she ends up with you doesn't that seem a little dubious she's already told me all about it and I'm happy that there's nothing to be worried about Max stor towards the door saying there's a name for someone like her dad she's a gold figger his father was about to answer back but his son had already slammed the door behind him so he slumped into his favorite armchair and slowly shook his head he understood his son's point of view but he knew what he was doing was for the best a month flew by and the wedding was due to take place the following day so max phoned his father's house to try and reason with him one last time but there was no reply thinking he might be out with his friends celebrating his last day as a single man Max tried his mobile number but again there was no reply starting to get worried Max jumped in his car and drove the short distance to his father's house and let himself in or at least he tried to but something was St stopping the door from fully opening using all his strength Max pushed and slowly the door opened enough for him to squeeze through a terrible sight greeted him his father lying on the floor he was dressed to go out in his winter coat and had obviously collapsed Dad cried Max but it was too late his lips were blue and Silent it was obvious that his father had passed away several tearful weeks had passed and Max consoled himself by going on a spending spree after all as an only child he would inherit his father's Fortune he drove in his brand new Mercedes car to the lore office of his deceased father cister to attend the official reading of the will in order to find out what his father had left him thinking thank goodness dad died before he married that scheming gold digger Max please accept my condolences for the loss of your father greeted Mr Massie I was honored to represent him for over 20 years thank you I really appreciate that but can we please get on with it said max I'm catching a flight to Barbados in a few hours handing him a sealed en envelope Mr mie said of course your father left this letter for you to read in the event of his death but what about my inheritance asked Max you'll find it all explained in the letter the solicitor said again I'm really sorry Max left the office and went and sat in his new luxury car while he read what his father had written dearest Max as you will have realized unfortunately I am unable to leave you any inheritance my company is about to be declared bankrupt and I have taken out many loans secured against my house to try and bail it out your mother's divorce settlement took all of the money I had left I was introduced to Betsy by a mutual friend and when I realized that she was an independently wealthy woman I decided to start a romance and get her to marry me I wish you only the best for your future your loving father Max dropped the letter and realized he had got it all wrong Betsy wasn't the gold digger his father was [Music] Shark as the plane descended over the o Australian Coastline Uncle Dave looked out of the window unaware that the beautiful blue sea below would not only be the backdrop for his niece Ellen's wedding but also the scene of a heart stopping Terror his trip to the land down under had started a month earlier when his niece had dropped him a line saying that she was getting married because she had no other family she was banking on him to attend and give her a away all of his friends thought he was out of his mind but he hadn't seen Ellen since she'd immigrated 8 years earlier so he emptied his savings booked the flight and here he was going through passport control Uncle Dave he heard as he walked out to the airport and there was his niece with a huge smile and an even huge man holding her hand hi Ellen I haven't seen you in Donkey years who's this he asked indicating the enormous man standing by her side this is Eric my fiance from the way she said it it was clear that she was enamored with him Eric flashed a smile so bright that it made Dave wish he'd worn sunglasses and said good day in a broad Australian accent no disguising where you're from quipped Dave an hour later and after checking into a hotel the three of them were sat in a bar discussing the upcoming nuptuals we're getting married on the beach next Saturday afternoon gushed Ellen it's going to be very late back I'm kicking myself for not visiting you before now said her uncle the sea looks so inviting if you fancy it I usually go surfing in the morning before work I could teach you said Eric don't I need some gear asked Dave there's a One-Stop shop for everything you need on the beach Ellen said then it's decided said Dave I'll see you tomorrow morning but now I'm going to have to hit the sack because I've got jetl after they said their goodbyes Dave went back to his room but even though he was tired he found he couldn't sleep so he switched on the TV and watched the old classic horror movie Jaws until he drifted off and slept like a log bright and early the next day Dave found himself on the beach practicing jumping on and off a surfboard under the expert eye of Eric you're really getting the hang of this said the young Australian let's try it in the water nervous but excited Dave picked up his new surfboard and waited out into the Sur they paddled out further than he thought they would but Eric explained that they had to go beyond the waves to where the water was calmer okay stand up on the board again instructed Eric that's easier said than done Dave spluttered having fallen off for theth time with the shout of don't worry you'll soon get the hang of it Eric turned his board towards the shore and using his arms started paddling come on you're ready follow me Dave just sat on his board staring as Eric expertly sprang up and rode a wave all the way to the beach in for a penny in for a pound thought Dave and tried to copy Eric's technique unfortunately he only managed to stand up for a couple of seconds before plunging into the warm sea as he swam back towards his surfboard he noticed a gray Shadow beneath the water his heart started to race as he thought of the movie he'd watched the night before it seemed that he had come all the way to the the other side of the world to become a shark's breakfast Panic had set in and even though he tried to keep a stiff upper lip he found himself screaming for hell the nearest people were sat on a small boat only a short distance away so Dave struck out swimming as fast as he could while yelling help me shark but all the people on the boat just seemed to be laughing at his plight the huge gray monster was now so close it brushed against him and still he could only hear laughing from the boat suddenly Dave stopped as the water in front of him bubbled and a large great head emerged this was the end he closed his eyes and braced himself when a child's voice said are you all right mister opening his eyes he saw a young boy aged about 9 years old dressed in a gray wet suit visit from space the 1st of April 1998 was much like any other day I picked up my friend George and joined the rush hour traffic into London if I remember correctly we were chatting about football as usual but then everything changed don't get me wrong Arsenal aren't exactly rubbish but they won't ever George's voice tailed off as I was in heavy traffic and hardly moving I looked over and saw my friend staring out of the side window of the car I followed his eyeline and looked up into the early morning Sky do you see it as well asked George what the bloody hell is it I said shakily it looks like a it's a flying sorcer shouted my friend I can see it as clear as a bell for a few seconds we stared out of the window completely gobsmacked then quickly I looked back at the motorway and saw that all the other cars around me had come to a complete stop so I slammed my brakes on as well turned off the engine and on wobbly legs we both got out of the car we joined others who were stood on the hard shoulder the crowd of people were mainly silent except for those expressing their disbelief at the strange sight in the sky right in front of them it can't be real what an earth is it she think it's dangerous the craft was round and about the size of a tennis court it had a row flashing lights that blinked on and off every few seconds but most of all I remember it made absolutely no noise whatsoever slowly it approached us getting closer with every second until suddenly it stopped in midair and we all watched open mouthed a hush fell over the crowd as we saw the UFO begin to descend into a neighboring field my attention was drawn to a nearby Lane where I saw a police car racing towards the spaceship when it was about 50 m away it screeched to a halt three barely Bobbies jumped out and seemed to be having a discussion between themselves elves I guess they were trying to decide what to do next after all it's not every day that you get called out to deal with a flying sorcerer eventually a single police officer approached the craft and I saw he had his trench in in his hand of course the British police don't have guns but I bet he wished he did he's a braver man than me I whispered to George I'm only standing here and I'm shaking like a leaf he whis whispered back there's no way I'd be going any closer we watched with baited breath as the Bobby got to within just a few meters when suddenly a large door on the front of the craft started to open as it did white smoke poured from the inside curling around the edges of the door finally the door was fully open and resting on the grass at the feet of the Brave policeman although it was still early morning the Sun had risen and we could clearly see a small figure appear in the doorway it was dressed in some sort of uniform and it was definitely not a human we were too far away to hear if it said anything but we certainly saw the copper legging it as fast as he could back to his mates just a couple of moments later another figure appeared behind the creature in the doorway this time it was a human a man of average height with a gray beard someone in the crowd yelled that's Richard Branson it bloody is yelled another we searched forward and sure enough it was the world famous billionaire Richard Branson it turned out that it was all an elaborate April Fool State prank that he'd created The Flying Saucer was a specially designed hot air balloon the smoke was made with dry ice and the creature was a small actor wearing a mask apparently not only had the police been called out but also the Army and later bransom was hauled over the coals but it was certainly a day for me and George that was out of this world for another out of this world English lesson click on this link I'll see you next time