Exquisite timing

With two loud bangs

our gas stove threw in the towel last night.

At first light the hunt began 

for anyone who knew how to fix it.

The usual rigmarole followed with The Four Seasons on hold.

The passing from hand to hand in various organisations. 

The out of order number, the wrong number,

the,

'We're very busy, everybody wants their cookers fixed. 

I will get someone to call you back between

24 and 48 hours.

Then it will be up to 5 days before anyone can come.'

The lying on the floor with a torch to find

the ten digit model number engraved on its intestines.

The very real possibility that it is beyond repair,

(it is twenty years old),

or the parts are unavailable.

I consider the option of buying a new one,

shudder at the expense

and realise that we will still be sailing very close to the wind 

for delivery and installation.

Plus I happen to remember that the floor was laid up to

and not under the stove in a close fitting chimney alcove and 

that it was an even tighter fit after the walls were tiled.

Likely the floor and tiles will be damaged

as the old one is extracted and the new one pushed in.

Although the entire electrics have blown 

and the gas is therefore cut off to the ovens and grill, 

the burners on the top will still work with matches.

Poached goose anyone?