The Darling Buds of May

A visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty's inspector of taxes is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn't paid his tax. Mariette takes a shine to 'Charley' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced him to the delights of country living. In fact, soon Charley can't see any reason to return to the office at all. ''Home looks nice. Allus does though, don''t it? Perfick''And so the Larkins - Pop, Ma, Mariette, Zinnia, Petunia, Primrose, Victoria and Montgomery - return from an outing for fish and chips and ice cream one May evening. There, amid the rustic charms of home, they discover a visitor: one Cedric Charlton, Her Majesty''s inspector of taxes. Mr Charlton is visiting to find out why junk-dealer Pop hasn''t paid his tax - but nothing''s that simple at the Larkins. Mariette takes a shine to ''Charley'' - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon''s Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and hot, hot summer nights. In fact, soon Charley can''t see any reason to return to the office at all . .