Ex. 13. Read the story. Put the verbs in brackets into an appropriate form. Fill in the gaps with articles if necessary.

Love Potion*

When Harriet Lennox, an attractive young woman, started working for Madame Gilda, a psychic (экстрасенс), she didn’t believe in the supernatural. However, Madame Gilda thought that working for her might change the young woman’s mind.

Over the next few weeks I (grow) very fond of Harriet. She (be) very sweet-natured, always willing to help find my lost reading-glasses or have my prescription filled. And she (handle) all my correspondence respectfully. However, I (concern) by her pallor (бледность). She (keep) ___ photograph of ___ young man in her drawer and once I (catch) her looking at it tearfully. Unhappy in ___ love – you (not have) to be psychic to work that one out.

Gradually I got ___ details. She (see)Steve for three months and he (sound) ___ sort of fellow who, in my day, we called ___ cad (хам). Harriet (deserve) someone better, and match-making is ___ hobby of mine. One afternoon I (find) Harriet in tears.

“It’s Steve, isn’t it?”

“He (dump)** me.” Harriet’s natural reserve (fail).

“He (come) to my flat this evening to pick up some things. Oh, Gilda, what can I do?”

I (think) quickly. “Try this.” I (produce) ___ small brown phial (пузырек) from my bag. “It’s ___ love potion. Slip three drops in his coffee. He (fall)in love with ___ next girl he sees.”

Harriet’s face (fall) in disbelief. She (refuse) to take ___ potion.

“Very well, but I (leave) it here, just in case you (change) your mind.”

When I (arrive) at ___ office ___ next morning there was ___ huge bouquet of flowers propped against ___ door. Then ___ doorbell (ring) – someone delivering ___ box of chocolates. ___ next arrival was Harriet, looking unhappy.

“It works,” she (sit) down abruptly, (place) ___ phial on ___ table and (stare) at it in horror. “I was desperate,” Harriet confessed. “So, I gave it a try. I(give)Steve his spiked (с добавленным зельем) coffee when ___ phone (ring) in ___ hall. When I (come) back he (turn) ___ television on and he (watch) your show. Afterwards he (keep) asking me about you. Everything I said fascinated him.” Her voice (break) on a sob. “He’s in love with you, Gilda.”

Harriet (start) crying. I (do) my best to comfort her.

“It’s all right, Gilda,” Harriet (sit) up and (dry) her eyes. “It’s for the best. I used to think that Steve loved me but now I see what he’s like when he’s really in love…” She looked at his extravagant gifts. “He never (give) me anything like this.” Harriet (blow) her nose. “I (forget)him and get on with my life,” she announced.

“Well, they say that ___ work is ___ best antidote for ___ broken heart, and there’s plenty of that today. My accountant, Richard, is on the way.” I handed over several large envelopes and ___ carrier bag. “You (sort)these out together.”

By the time Richard (arrive) Harriet (be) more composed. They (work) away all day and I (smile) to myself knowingly. It was after six when Richard and Harriet (emerge) looking tired but happy. “We (go)for ___ pizza,” Harriet said. “Won ’ t you join us?”

“No thank you, dear”, I replied. “I’m too tired.” I (be) truthful as well as tactful. Telepathy is very draining (изматывающий) and contacting Steve’s subconscious mind (подсознание) ___ previous night to get him to turn ___ television on at ___ right moment (leave) me exhausted.

“You go off for your pizza.” I smiled at Harriet and Richard. Before leaving, I popped ___ phial of love potion into my bag, pleased to see there was plenty left. I (not have) to use any to make Harriet and Richard (fall for)*** each other. Love potions are all very well, but I always think that natural chemistry does the job so much better.

(After the story by Maria McCarthy)

* love potion – любовный напиток

** to dump – бросить, оставить

*** to fall for sb – влюбиться

KEY

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