Tanya had had a whirlwind of a week. Her plans of conquering Christopher Mann had been distracted by the appearance of a tall, blonde, foreign bloke who came complete with a dodgy accent. Well more of a boy really as she had discovered thanks to an incident earlier on in the week. Fred had given her a right rollicking in the pub garden over the fact that she had given Markus beer. It wasn’t so much the fact he was under aged, Fred was more concerned with the knowledge that Tanya had been giving away free drinks. After all Fred’s two main passions were alcohol and money so he wasn’t best pleased to find that Tanya had given away a bit of both. In fact Tanya had been quite scared by her bosses reaction to the whole event. At one point she thought he might hit her over the head with the shovel he was using to dig out a new patch in his garden. Thankful Father Gerard had interrupted the disciplinary.

So Tanya found she was faced with yet another set of problems. Firstly was the appearance of Kirsten and her model looks. Definite competition for the few local men was not what Tanya wanted. Although she calculated that it would probably be best to befriend Kirsten, and keep her on side. That way she could suss her out and have an excuse to see Markus. But then could she really leave Brook in totally happiness with Chris Mann? Tanya thought not. After a few hours thought she came to the conclusion that her plan of action would be to first seduce the unwary Chris which, with a bit of luck ,would then make Markus very jealous and more open to Tanya’s charm.

Meanwhile Brook herself was completely oblivious to all other goings on in the Village. She had been enjoying moonlit walks and romantic meals with her Yorkshire beau. Strolling along the high street, doing her weekly shop, she was undisturbed by the commotion going on at the police station.

A large dog was barking madly and there was an assortment of people crowding the tiny station. Sgt Bagheera, Bobby Jones, Markus and Hans Anderson, Jean Day, Doris Jennings, Peter Jack, Helen Nascent, Jenny George and Ernie George were all spilling out of the ancient building. Sgt Bagheera looked particularly flustered, Bobby Jones was as white as a sheet, Jenny George was in tears, Ernie looked uncharacteristically angry and the rest of the party seemed to be in a state of confusion. In fact only Helen Nascent could be seen to be remotely composed. A large tangle of complex events had led to this block of human traffic at the station.

Ernie, Jenny and Bobby’s presence at the station had started from a chain of events that very morning. Mrs George had been appalled that her lodger Peter Jack had been seen in the rival establishment of the Jumping Bean Café a few days previously. She had therefore chastised her husband Ernie into having a word with Peter about his conduct. Ernie had obediently done so after his trip to library.

Ernie had headed in the direction of the high street thinking he would either find Peter somewhere in the centre of the Village or at the Manor where he now worked. Ernie spotted Peter in the Post Office where he was sending a parcel off as part of an errand for Helen Nascent. Ernie greeted Peter and requested a word with him. In hushed tones he explained his wife’s concerns to the startled Mr Jack. Unfortunately the conversation was over heard by Doris, the post mistress. Ever the informant Doris couldn’t resist chiming in to inform Ernie that Peter was not the only member of his household to be seen in the Jumping Bean.

‘Oh yes Ernie I’ve seen your Jenny in there several times. In fact she left there a few minutes ago with young Bobby. ’

Ernie looked embarrassed and flabbergasted all at once so Doris helpfully added

‘I think they were making their way to the police station…. together..’

‘Yes well thank you for that bit of news Mrs Jennings. It is ever so kind of you to keep me up dated with the whereabouts of my offspring’ Ernie replied curtly.

‘Peter I am sorry to trouble you with this. I am going to have to be on my way now, perhaps we can continue this little talk in private later on’

‘well I’m off now as well’ Peter said as they both left a smug Doris in the post office.

‘Which way are you venturing?’ Peter inquired

‘well I’m off to the police station as it happens’

‘that’s on my way back to the Manor so feel free to carry on with what you were saying Ernie’

Peter and Ernie discussed the matter of the Jumping Bean and Peter resolved to present Mrs George with a bunch of flowers and some chocolates to keep the peace but firmly made it clear to Ernie that he would not be dictated by family feuds, who ever he maybe lodging with, and explained that he liked to be friendly to all the Villagers, no matter what opinions were held of them. Ernie thanked his friend for his honesty and agreed that the flowers and chocolates would go down a treat with his wife.

Ernie then reached the police office which was deserted inside with no sign of either of the local policemen. He was just about to part from Peter when they both heard laughter coming from the back of the station. Ernie, who was determined to find his youngest daughter, went round the back of the station to find Bobby Jones and his daughter in the midst of a tender kiss.

Ernie cleared his throat angrily and confronted the pair.

Jenny George pulled away from Bobby in bewilderment to find her dear old Da had discovered their tryst. She was aware of Bobby steeling himself for Mr George’s reaction and could feel herself growing hysterical as the consequences of her actions flashed through her startled mind. This had in fact been the young pairs first kiss; a moment that was supposed to be entirely uninterrupted and totally romantic. They had both been enchanted with each other for a while but had avoided the attraction due to the circumstances of their family feud. Jenny could not believe they had been found out so quickly and promptly burst into tears. Before either Ernie or Bobby could say anything a loud commotion was heard from the front of the station. A siren was blazing and a dog barking dementedly. A powerful foreign voice was shouting loudly and so Bobby immediately disengaged himself form Jenny, and the explosive situation, to dash round and discover what a mess Sgt Bagheera had got himself into……………