I got a hostile reception in the Freeholder's Meeting last night.

When I got there before the start-time, the room was almost full.

Me: "I'm Alec Weston from Flat () downstaair..."

Chairman-to-be: "We'll leave introductions until the meeting starts".

Oh, okay.  When official introduction time did arrive, the only woman present turned out to be the co-owner of the flat I negotiated to buy for five irksome, unnecessary months but didn't in the end because they were still being stubborn about the price.  Got this one £20,000 cheaper. 

Obviously she had given the story a different spin to her and my neighbours - and they all gave me the evil eye for most of the evening.  As a result, zn, my veto powers were somewhat limited.

Me:  Why don't we schedule the work over three years, so people can manage the payments more easily?

Spurned Woman's BF (not even a resident) Terrible idea. (Grunts of agreement)

(Count of 2, 3)

Someone else:  Why don't we schedule the work oveer three years, so people can manage the payments more easily?

(General approval and applause)

Oh, screw them.  If being sent to Coventry is the price for outmanoevring someone who was trying to sell me a flat for too much than here we are.