Ernie Knowles returns home to face Evelyn, to tell her about his affair and that he is leaving to try and put his life ‘right’. She reacts in a typically selfish way and Ernie leaves without telling her that he has another son, Michael.  He tells all to Jessie and George and how Michael has disowned him after learning the truth of his parents’ relationship. His other son, Anthony, startles him by telling him that he has known about his affair for some years and is delighted to learn he has a half brother.

Nathan is attacked and both he and Kester are kidnapped and held in a lock up. Charlene witnesses the assault and she and her mother tail the van that the two men were forced into and traces them to the site where they are being held. Thanks to her intervention, Nathan survives a brutal beating and the police are given enough information to affect an arrest. Lindsay Wilson confesses to her father that Danielle and Roy were involved and to her own participation in their criminal activities. Vince is angry and lashes out; later apologising and telling her she needs to inform the police. Danielle Wilson is arrested.

Helen calls to see Harriet on hearing news of the attack and is surprised to find that Kester is home. She takes over from Harriet to allow her to rest and spends the rest of the day looking after him. The evening ends in turmoil after Ruth, Kester’s mother, arrives and recognises Helen as being a victim of rape. Distraught and in hysterics after Ruth spitefully makes it known, Helen is comforted by Kester and Harriet.

Kester recognises his feelings for Helen when he believes he and Nathan were about to be killed and he admits that she is special to him, telling her that Ruth’s revelations have made no difference to the way he feels. Although reassured by his words, Helen fails to grasp his true meaning until later when he decides he should try again to explain how much she means to him and asks her out. Hesitant and still guarded, she agrees to go out with him.

Previously in Chapter Five

Chapter Six

The Old Mill Cafe

‘I dunno just what she’s at’ Edna Smith stares through the window at Evelyn Knowles as she walks past on the other side of the street. ‘I know for a fact that coat she got on is one she tiggles about the garden in. Not that she does much gard’ning, Ernie had t’keep that all in trim, every bit of it. Don’t s’pose she knows a rose from a stick a rhubarb!’

‘Don’t you get it?’ Kathleen Wishart mutters ‘She’s destitute and wants us to know it. Ernie’s left her without a penny and we’re all s’posed to feel sorry for her’

‘He hasn’t has he?’ Sandra Mossop asks, following Evelyn’s progress along Park Road.

‘Course he hasn’t. Destitute my eye! I bet she’s got more salted away than we’re ever likely to have put together’

‘I don’t know if I should go and say something’

All three women turn to look at Jessie Shepherd.

‘I hope you ain’t feeling sorry for ‘er’ Edna says, surprised at the sympathy in Jessie’s tone ‘She brung it all on herself. She were mighty wicked t’you an’ all. How you can think a going and saying summat, I don’t know. That’s just what she wants yer t’do. When did you last see ‘er in a pair a flat shoes, eh? She’s playactin’ that’s what she’s doing right enough’

‘I know’ Jessie sighs

‘Then don’t be so daft’ Kath implores ‘What she’s after is to get us all on her side to show Ernie a thing or two’

‘Well, she’s struck out as far as I am concerned!’ Sandra flushes as they all turn to look at her instead. ‘I haven’t forgiven her yet for upsetting you about my illustrations’ she stutters, glancing at Jessie ‘She spoiled things for you….and that upset me too. So much so that I…I was going to go and have it out with her!’

‘Oh, Sandra’ Jessie murmurs, touched by Sandra’s sentiment ‘you would only have got yourself in a state. You know how cutting she can be’

‘I was angry’ Sandra claims ‘I still am’

‘I’m over it now. I was being a bit silly. I let her get under my skin’

‘Which is exactly what she’s trying to do now’ Kath nods her conviction.

Jessie sighs. ‘You’re right. I know you’re right’

‘You certainly are!’ Edna sniggers ‘Look, she’s going past again. What a fool she’s making of herself’

‘Does she know that we know about Ernie and his lady friend?’ Kathleen wonders aloud.

‘I don’t know and I don’t care. I’ve got more important things to do with my time than to be worrying about her. I’ve got Nathan to think about now’ Jessie leans sideways to pull open the top of her shopping bag that sits on the floor next to her and peers inside to check the contents.

‘How is the lad?’ Edna asks sympathetically.

‘Doing very well. Should be home before too long, hopefully. They were a bit concerned about how his operation was healing but that seems to have cleared up now’

‘Dreadful business’ Kath nods ‘Did you see Harriet on the telly?’

‘Poor woman’ Edna murmurs ‘She did a nice little message but you could see her shaking, though her voice weren’t’

‘And then she had Helen Marchant to cope with too’ Jessie sighs ‘Went to see if she could help out and was taken poorly. Harriet rang me to ask if I would arrange for someone to go in and see to the cat. Me and George went in the end. It was a bit late to ask anyone else’

‘What was up with ‘er ?’ Edna asks ‘I reckon she’s more fond a that lad than she makes out. Daresay him being took were a bit of a shock and she were that relieved when she see’d him again she come over all faint’

‘Ohh’ Jessie’s eyes light up ‘Do you know, I’ve been that busy, I never even thought of that! I thought perhaps it was a headache or something, some reason she couldn’t drive…but that would explain it too, wouldn’t it?’

‘I’m not sure Miss Marchant is the fainting type’ Sandra comments.

‘Oh, I don’t know’ Kath disagrees ‘I’d never fainted in my life and I’ve seen some dreadful things nursing but when our old cat just left the head and tail of a mouse on the doorstep, I felt the ground just slip away’

‘Urrgghh’

‘But…if it was because Kester might have been hurt… that might have given her a headache OR a fainting fit!’ Jessie says excitedly ‘I TOLD you she liked him!’ she adds triumphantly. ‘Ohhh!’ She clasps her hands in front of her chest and sighs happily ‘What lovely babies they would make!’

Kath chokes on her tea ‘Give ‘em chance for gawd’s sake’ she snorts ‘Takes two to tango and we don’t know for sure she’s up for dancing let alone he wants to play the music!’

‘Oh…I think he’s got his fiddle ready, according to what George was saying’ Jessie giggles.

The ladies look up as Jessie suddenly stands and hurriedly buttons her coat.

‘Where you off to in such a tearing rush?’ Kath asks.

‘Somebody must know!’ Jessie picks up her bag. ‘And I’ve only got a few minutes before the bus comes. I’ll report back!’

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