WANT to get a small job done around the house? No need to get in touch with X - although he did work for you for years - since you had the nerve to query his last bill, but paid it in full, and although he promised to come the last time he never arrived.

Now Y did some work quite recently, so give him a call and leave messages on his answerphone. The machine must be broken since he never replies, but then you luckily find a leaflet so you call and Z comes. He remembers that he did the same job a short time ago and therefore dashes off, promising to come back, but he never does.

Get the Yellow Pages and find just the firm you want. Large advert, local address and telephone number.

Call and leave messages, but their answerphone is also on the blink since they never get in touch.

Such are the joys of trying to get work done at one's home.

John W Antill, Darlington.