"Hello, this is Hyacinth Bouquet, that's B-U-C-K-E-T. I'm calling about the police box on the corner. I don't think it's quite necessary, do you? Sets the wrong tone. People might start thinking that we're the kind of neighborhood that needs a police box."

She hung up, frowning. "They insisted that there hasn't been a police box anywhere in England in decades.

"What are you talking about, Hyacinth? There's no police box."

This is no time for games, Richard. It's right out - "

She stopped still and blinked at the empty corner. "Well," she said at last. "That was quick of them."