It was not one of my best ideas to try to learn to play the soprano saxophone but three years ago Bear bought the one that used to belong to a friend of ours.

He was a semi-professional jazz player who had always concentrated on clarinet and alto sax but, although in his seventies, he decided to branch out and buy himself a bass clarinet, a vibraphone, a state of the art keyboard and, finally a soprano sax. He used to come into school on a voluntary basis and give clarinet and sax lessons to the children, and, also help out with band practices and concerts. He was a lovely man. It was terrible when he was found to have cancer and he died just over three years ago.

His widow, also a good friend of ours decided to sell his instruments on ebay but when she came over to stay with us I jokingly said to Bear,

"Do you fancy buying me a soprano sax for my 60th birthday?"

Either, he wasn't concentrating or he didn't know what it was worth (despite the fact that we had just been talkng about the value of all the instruments) but he said

"Yes, if you like."

I didn't think he was too serious but our friend thought it was a lovely idea and Bear ended up buying me a fantastic present for the first (and probably last) time - ever.

So, I signed up for lessons at the local music school (which usually caters for youngsters up to the age of 12) and made up my mind to work hard and practise conscientiously.

Despite my best efforts, the sound I produced was more like a cow in labour than the beautiful music I knew a soprano sax to be capable of. After a year it was improving but it was nigh on impossible to play anything other than FORTISSIMO and there was nowhere I could practise without disturbing someone.

Then came the problem of arthritis which meant I found it difficult to hold the instrument (resting it on my knee was frowned on by my teacher) and the cararact operations forced me to give up completely for a few months.

When I tried to blow it again it made my eyes feel most uncomfortable.

So, with Bear's agreement, I decided to sell it. At first, I asked my teacher if she knew anyone who might be interested. She took it away with her in July but several months later there was no news. So, in November I asked her to bring it back so I could put it on ebay, (hoping the proceeds might help pay for the end of year festivities.)

However, I didn't get around to advertising it until last Monday. I put it on a free advertising site called 'leboncoin' and had two emails: one from a chap in Spain who wanted to know what it would cost to send with insurance, and the second from someone in Nimes who was interested but had to sell his old one first.

I found out postage costs and emailed the man in Spain but heard no more. On Friday I discovered another free site and put in a second advert. The following morning I received an email asking me to phone a mobile number.

The man concerned asked a few questions about it and said he'd like to come and see it. I heard him talking to his wife.

"Should we go today or tomorrow?"

The response was shocked surprise but when he spoke to me again he said they'd like to come on Sunday.

It would be a three hour drive for them so I suggested they come and have lunch. He accepted and they duly arrived, just a little late, at 12.45.

He tried the sax, liked it and bought it - cash.

Whooppeee - a bonus of more than my month's pension!

"That's a lot quicker than selling on ebay," said Jay.