Brook had not prepared herself for this moment. A few days previously she had glimpsed Chris at the village fate, which rekindled old memories, but since then she had been so busy that she didn’t have time to fantasise about what could be. So the sight of Chris and the immortal words ‘Ey’up’ had been unexpected and froze her to the spot. There she stood framing the door of the Wishing Well - unsure of what to do next. A faint red hue washed across her defined cheek bones in the few seconds silence that ensued. Chris and Brook both stood drinking in the image of each other. Before the pause became uncomfortable considerate Mrs George, sensing electricity between the two young people, interjected:

‘A face from the past eh young Brook…! Bet you weren’t expecting this rouge to turn up again?!’ she said with a chuckle.

Elsewhere Ernie had immensely enjoyed his first morning back at the village. His milk round had gone smoothly and the few customers that were up and about so early in the morning, such as Mrs Day, greeted him warmly. Ernie liked his milk rounds as, apart from being able to take in the village’s exquisite scenery at sunrise, it gave him time to think. He always took his writers notebook along with him and jotted down anything that inspired him. Ernie’s writing fascination was more with human behaviour than nature and Ernie found plenty of fuel for his poems and stories in the Village. He noticed and picked up on miniscule details, such as natural conversations between two customers, and with such a social role in the Village Ernie was in tune to many of the residents secrets. From Alan Short and Samantha George’s explicit rows to Mrs LoveDay’s affair with Harry Rivers Ernie always had something to write about. Although Ernie was no gossip and he only had interest in the welfare of his friends and material for his writing. Although he did have to be careful as to what he revealed to his beloved wife as she was undoubtedly the Village gossip!

Returning to the subject of Alan Short and Samantha George’s relationship; noises of raised voices and smashing crockery were regularly heard issuing from the flat above the butchers shop in the Village high street. [Just to remind you Alan was the butchers son and works in the shop during the day. ] So much so that their arguments were very much becoming a Village nuisance, and Mrs Day had complained to Sgt Bagheera several times about it. However, Sgt Bagheera’s personal policing policy was to not get involved in any domestics as they were too sensitive for him to deal with. Most of the Village residents just accepted them as a couple who had a passionate relationship……….as their lovemaking could be just as noisy! Bobby, Samantha’s brother on the other hand had on several occasions attempted to assist his sister in her tempestuous relationship and

Greg Short, Alan’s Dad, was concerned about his son. Despite spending the majority of the day arms length in blood Greg was not one for violence or arguments. He had had a peaceful experience of marriage with his late wife and was disturbed by the way his son’s relationship was going. He was also noticing that his confident and cheerful son was gradually changing into a moody, tense and unhappy person, and the last time he saw Samantha she has a wild, unkempt look about her. He therefore decided to keep a closer eye on the situation. He made a conscious effort by suggesting that his son come to tea with Samantha at the weekend, whilst also hinting that he would like to spend more time with him.

‘Son, how about coming for some dinner on Sunday lunchtime? You like you need beefing up a bit boy!’ Grey gave a hearty laugh which made his four chins wobble.

‘not this Sunday Dad’ said Alan grumpily.

[disappointment in his voice] ‘Go on, you don’t spend much time with your old dad these days’

‘Not much time! We spend every bloody day in this shop together!’

[hurt edging his words] ‘You know what I mean, quality time not work time’

Alan visibly softens at this. ‘Well I can’t this Sunday as its mine and Sammie’s first anniversary together…..’

Greg gives a dubious smile ‘Point taken, another time eh? Anytime. Or maybe me and you could go to a footie game or something soon……….’ Greg trails off as Aunt Rose comes jingling in the door for her leg of ham.

Back at the Wishing Well Brook was quickly composing herself and flashes a smile across to Chris. In their eagerness they both began speaking at once:

Brook: Chris how nice to see you……’

Chris: ‘is been a while eh lass?……’

Mrs George gives a knowing smile to her daughter as Chris suavely invites Brook to have a cup of coffee with him.

Brook’s emotions were all over the place. As she sat down in the cosy corner with her frothy latte and Chris. Every inch of her determination was telling her to be polite, welcome the guy back - but on all accounts have nothing more to do with him! But Brook could fell the secret delight of seeing Chris begin to pump through her veins. She had already suffered heartache because of him, she didn’t want it happening all over again.

Brook had fallen for cheeky Chris Mann at the tender age of 15. Chris was a full five years older than the naive ,sweet tempered young girl, and although he normally wouldn’t have said no, despite her age, Chris knew that Brook was something special. So he had done the decent thing for once and moved away from temptation. Now back in the Village and seeing Brook as a fully fledged adult he felt the temptation again rising within him as he attempted to make charming conversation.

By the time she had finished her frothy latte Brook had agreed to meet Chris in the local pub that evening…………… .