It was 3 o’clock and Jenny had just finished her tiring shift at The Wishing Well. She had decided to meet up with her dear friend Brook. After phoning and arranging to meet her at the lake where they could have a good gossip, and most importantly a private one, she then called in at home to change first. Jenny had had quite an eventful morning all in all. Arrangements for Mr Jack as the new lodger had certainly been unforeseen and a nice change in her routine. Jenny reflected that it would be good for her old Da to have a like minded companion about the house as her Ma’s extrovert behaviour, overbearing nature and general ‘loudness’ did sometimes get the better of her father. It did mean that there was another writing nut under the roof now, as she left her Da and Peter were comparing notes as it were, but it could be worse Jenny thought – at least it wasn’t extreme sports or fire eating!

Jenny’s day had then been filled by the usual preparation for the eleven and one o’clock rushes, and in the time between she was distracted by thoughts of her and Bobby’s exchange earlier this morning. He really was very thoughtful. If only her mother could see that! She would certainly need Brook’s advice in her latest of dilemmas! On nearing the fishing lake Jenny pondered on the fact that Mr Jack had spotted the mutual affection between herself and Bobby almost instantly, she also wondered why she had felt so compelled to pour her heart out to a complete stranger. She wasn’t sure but Jenny thought Mr Jack would probably be a very good presence in the village, and maybe, just maybe he might bring some hope for her and Bobby. After all he certainly managed to put her Ma in her place earlier!

Brook radiantly swept down Valley Hill with all the promises of the world with her. In the last few days every waking moment had had a dreamlike quality to it. Today, with the pale morning sunlight soaking up the remnants of the previous evening’s heavenly shower, Brook felt as though she were the happiest and luckiest woman alive. In the first flush of loves young dream Brook felt totally fulfilled by all the sweet nothings Christopher Mann had been wooing her with. Today she was venturing to the eastern edge of the village to relax by the fishing lake with her sketch pad, and bask in the rays of good fortune that she now felt were at last upon her.

Brook’s smiling spirits even meant that she was considerably less disgusted with both her siblings than usual. A lot less could be said about Harry and Tanya’s feelings regarding Brook though. Harry, apart from smarting because (truth be told) he was beginning to feel quite neglected by his maternal sister; he was also outraged that he was not the only alpha male with his slippers under the hearth at No 3. He did not in the least like the fact that his home was being invaded by a cocky, arrogant and successful bloke like Chris. Along with the added complication of his illicit affair with the sugar sweet Mrs LoveDay, Harry Rivers was all of a sudden seeing his cushy life being shaken in ways that were getting him very hot under the collar and not in the way he’d like.

Tanya’s mood was also black. But not in the brooding, aggravated style of her brothers. Tanya had an all out raging storm of a temper. She detested the fact that her sister was having more than her fair share in the bedroom department, which made her determined to steal some of the action. With a glint in her eye Tanya stood smearing her war paint on while squeezing herself into the most revealing of outfits; in her master plan to foil Brook’s happiness.

Meanwhile Chris, who had the ego of a hot air balloon that was steadily climbing higher, was turning his thoughts to Nascent Manor in a bid not only to impress the blooming Miss Rivers but to also secure his future in the village. He had several cards up his sleeve – and plenty in reserve elsewhere. All he needed to do now was play them.