The Price Of Being a King...(Part 3 and on)

[demigod]

(Steph was watching TV in the b&b Alan was calling out to her from where he was upstairs. She just rolled her eyes and then turned up the volume, she laughed and chuckles as she sat comfortable with her show. Then there was an ominous heavy knocking from the front door. Steph got up and walked to the door. Alan was still calling.)

Alan: Steph!! Can you hear me? Steph!! Is someone at the door?!

Steph: Its alright dad, its nothing, you go back to sleep!

(Steph grabbed the remote control and turned up the volume on the TV. Then she walked to the door, she opened it and was greeted by Max’s broad 6’6” frame on the other side. She looked up into his face.)

Steph: And what do you want?

Max: Oh I don’t know, why would somebody knock on the door of a bed and breakfast, perhaps because they need a bed?

Steph: Very clever, but we don’t have any vacancies.

(Steph went to shut the door, but Max’s left arm sprang out from beside him and try as she might the door wouldn’t shut.)

Max: Oh really? Not according to the sign out there.

(Steph looked at the sign.)

Steph: Ah, well I been meaning to fix that. But you know, what with me dad being ill and all. There just aint enough hours in the day.

Max: So there are no rooms, is that what you are saying?

Steph: Pretty much yeah, having a hard time sinking in through that thick rubber mask is it?

(Max just stared.)

Max: You must have a lot of ramblers and hikers then.

Steph: What are you babbling on about now?

Max: I don’t see a single car here that I don’t recognise. So either these guests do a hell of a lot of walking, or you just don’t want me here.

Steph: Take your pick! Now hop it before I call the police, and don’t come back thumping this door again disturbing my father.

(Max turned and walked away down the path, Steph shut the door and breathed a sigh of relief. As Max walked down the path, something compelled him to stop, like a sixth sense ringing in his head. He looked behind him, nothing. He looked up and saw Alan Turner looking down at him from the bedroom window. Max gave him a friendly wave. Alan had a desperate look on his face, Max registered it and took it aboard, something inside him churned. He noticed out of the corner of his eye Steph too was watching from the downstairs window. This felt all wrong to him, he didn’t feel safe with this, he walked off and left the scene.)

****

(Back inside the pub, Terry and Louise were still nattering away.)

Terry: You know I really am not happy with the way Scott has his feet under the table with Dawn. Living in my old house, which I gave to her for TJ, can’t say I’m delighted about it.

Louise: Well, I wouldn’t worry, he’s probably just there to help out with TJ and such.

Terry: Maybe, but if she needs help I’d rather she comes to me than go crawling to the likes of Scott Windsor.

(Max walked into the pub, straight up to Louise alongside Terry. Terry climbed off the stool and looked.)

Terry: You got some neck standing next to me, after what you did in here the other night.

(Max faced Terry.)

Max: I’m sorry Terry, I didn’t mean to…I didn’t mean for it all to happen like that. I just wanted people to take it easy on Pearl.

Terry: So you broke my nose?!

Max: I thought you were going to hit me the way you charged over. I just lashed out, like a reflex, I am sorry. I know its no consolation and it wont make you feel better, but, if you would let me, I’d like to offer to buy you a drink, as a sort of apology for what happened. I was out of order to grab Dawn like that and to start that fight. Its my fault, I admit it, and I hope you can accept my sincerest and genuine apologies.

(Terry thought about it for a moment.)

Terry: Well, if you’re man enough to admit it were your mistake and to apologise for what you done, then I am man enough to accept that apology, oh, and the pint of course!

(Max and Terry shook hands. Louise smiled as they did. Max turned to her next.)

Max: And you, I would of probably been rude to you were it not for Jimmy, so I think I should apologise again and I do mean it, I am sorry.

Louise: That’s alright, but one thing I don’t understand, why are you taking such a blasé attitude to the idea of a rapist living among us? Don’t you care that he may attack someone?

Max: I know what you are saying, but I don’t feel he is a threat, the chances of him offending are very small, especially since we all know who he is and after all this is a tight knit little community.

Louise: I suppose that is a good point, but I cant say it makes me feel any better. Your usual is it?

Max: Yes please and of course one for Terry.

Terry: Cheers.

(Louise served the pints and Max paid up.)

****

(Back at home farm the fur had been flying.)

Sadie: Oh come on Jimmy. You don’t believe that sob story? I didn’t think you could be so gullible!

Jimmy: What are you going on about?! I know that his explanation doesn’t justify what he did here in our temporary home, but you can sympathise with him. He has suffered a lot in his life.

Sadie: I don’t even know why he has to wear a mask in the first place maybe if he just took it off it wouldn’t matter.

Jimmy: You obviously never have seen him without it, trust me Sadie, if I were him, I’d want to wear a mask too.

Sadie: Yeah, well hiding is not always the best thing to do Jimmy!

Jimmy: No it isn’t, just like hiding the fact you are on contraceptives when your husband is trying for a baby, same sort of thing really.

(Sadie rolled her eyes and tipped her head back, it had returned to this.)

Sadie: Not this again, do you see what that trouble making brother of yours has caused?!

Jimmy: He didn’t cause this Sadie, the cracks were here long before he arrived. What’s the matter, you think Id forgot about it all, or it was over? We have resolved nothing.

Sadie: Because there is nothing to resolve or talk about, I just don’t want kids and that is final.

Jimmy: Well then, maybe I need to be firmer over the things that I don’t want and you do.

(Jimmy marched out of the room, and slammed the door, Sadie just sipped her drink and picked up a magazine and opened it and began reading.)

****

(Back at the woolpack, Louise reached for the bell and rang it.)

Louise: LAST ORDERS!

Max: Louise, can I have a word?

Louise: Sure.

Max: I know I got a lot of nerve asking this, but, well, you see…I cant go back to home farm tonight and I really really need somewhere to lay my head. I was wondering if you could put me up, I’d curl up on one of the benches here if need be.

Louise: Well, why? Ah…no doubt you have had a falling out with Jimmy and Sadie.

Max: Yeah something like that. Lets just say I think I got Sadie’s ire up and well frankly, I just don’t want to be around her. Its not that I am afraid of her or anything like that, its just, when she gets like that she’s like a fly in a big room buzzing about constantly, and you just cant find it to swat it.

(Louise laughed.)

Louise: But cant you ask Carl, he is your brother after all.

Max: I really don’t want to. Carl is…well, last time I stayed with Carl I didn’t get any sleep at all, I seriously doubt he has changed much. Please, I am nearly begging you here, if you agree I’ll pay the going rate for a b and b, and I’ll be your slave or something. C’mon, what’s it to be?

Louise: Oh, go on then! But you are on the sofa mind!

Max: Thank-you you are an angel of mercy really.

Terry: Well, that were some sales pitch. Thanks for the pints Max, but I’d better be getting off, I want to talk to Dawn, we got, things we need to set straight.

(Louise’s face changed drastically from a smile to concern almost.)

Louise: But Terry its late now, and…cant it wait till morning?

Terry: Not really, anyway don’t worry I’ll be back before you know it.

(Terry walked out of the pub, leaving Louise looking a bit down.)

****

[demigod]

(In the street he spotted Scott heading up the road in the direction of the post office.)

Scott: You alright Terry?

Terry: Yeah, I’m just fine thanks, I could say the same about you.

(Scott looked puzzled. He just shrugged his shoulders.)

Scott: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Terry: Oh, I think you do, got yourself a nice cosy set up with Dawn and my son, in my house.

Scott: Whoa, Terry, for one thing it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Me and Dawn are helping each other out. And she will own the lion’s share of the house anyway.

(Terry didn’t look convinced.)

Scott: If you’re going to try and talk her out of it, you may as well save your breath, we already signed the papers.

Terry: I see, well that’s one less thing I have to talk to her about, there is still the matter of when I look after TJ.

(Terry continued walking to the door of his old house. He stared for a minute and thought of Chris. Chris had given him that house. He felt somehow like he had lost something of his old boss. He could just picture Chris rolling in his grave at the thought of Scott Windsor owning a part of a house that once belonged to the Tate’s. Regardless he knocked the door. Dawn opened it.)

Dawn: Terry. And what exactly do you want?

Terry: I came to see you about a few things, TJ mainly.

Dawn: Can this wait till morning? I have had a very busy day and…<br>
Terry: No Dawn, it cant wait till morning, I am here now so we can discuss this now. It’ll only take five minutes.

(Dawn rolled her eyes.)

Dawn: Fine you better come in.

(Terry entered and they headed into the front room.)

Dawn: Right lets have it the Terry so I can get on with what I was doing.

Terry: No need for an attitude like that. I was coming to see if I could help you. But you already have enough of that off Scott Windsor, so that’s ok. I came here to discuss TJ actually.

Dawn: What about him?

(Dawn was getting flippant.)

Terry: I came to offer to look after him more!

Dawn: Yeah don’t shout he’s asleep.

Terry: Sorry, its just you know, I don’t like the idea of Scott looking after him. He’s my son, I should be the one to look after him.

Dawn: Terry, Scott is a great dad to Jean and he takes good care of TJ. I don’t know what you are getting so hysterical about.

Terry: Don’t come with that attitude to me, you tried to take him to Spain once away from me, I don’t want my son looking to Scott Windsor as his father. I am the one who should be looking after him.

Dawn: I think you do enough really all things considered.

Terry: I’m glad you think so. But Dawn please, if TJ needs looking after, I’m the one who should be doing it. I am his dad after all and I love him to bits. I just don’t like the idea of playing second string to Scott, when I could be spending a lot of quality time with TJ instead, if you know what I mean?

Dawn: Fine, if you want to put in more hours that’s fine by me.

Terry: Great that’s that sorted then.

Dawn: Anything else?

Terry: No, just a warning. Be careful with Scott, I gave you this house for you and TJ, not for him and his kid. Just remember that this is your home first and foremost.

Dawn: Terry will you not treat me like a kid, I am more than capable of making my own choices you know.

Terry: Ok, that’s all I wanted to say, look I didn’t come here to lecture I came here to just sort things out for TJ. So I’ll be off then.

(Dawn showed him out.)

Terry: Thanks Dawn, I’m glad that we can be civil and discuss things rationally like, for TJ’s sake.

Dawn: Yeah, me too.

(Terry saw Scott coming back from the Post Office carrying a carton of milk, undoubtedly Viv had let him in to give it to him. Scott had a very smug look on his face. The bruising on which had gone down considerably from his prior scrap with Max.)

Scott: You going back to your room at the pub now Terry?

(Scott’s words cut like a knife, Terry knew exactly what he meant.)

Terry: No, I think I’ll take a walk first. Clear me head!

(Terry marched past Scott who had a very coy look on his face. He walked up to Dawn.)

Scott: What did he want?

Dawn: Oh nothing, look come inside yeah, its freezing out here.

(Scott put an arm around Dawn.)

Scott: I can think of a way to warm you up.

(Dawn pushed his arm off.)

Dawn: Later on hey, I’m knackered.

(Dawn headed back in, followed by Scott, who had a very ungrateful look on his face the one a man like him gets when they are not so subtly given the brush off.)

****

(Max and Louise were perched on the sofa, they were both drunk as lords, slurred speech, impaired coordination, the lot. In front of them was a bottle of “Blackstock quality wine” which they had been navigating their way to the bottom of. By this time, each had no doubt been unloading off their tales of woe from the day.)

Louise: See, the thing is with Dawn, she’s a slapper! That’s right a slapper! And Terry, Terry…bless his heart, keeps running to her…I wish, he could just see sense and not take anything to do with her.

(Max took a swig of wine down his neck, he was the most drunk he had ever been in his life.)

Max: See…Lucy, the thing is…<br>
Louise: Lucy!? *laughs* Its Louise! *prods him playfully*

Max: Yes…Louise…See, the thing is…Louise…that he has his son, he wants to be a good dad. And jushing frm…Jushing from what I sheen of Terry, he is a real good dad, when she allows him to be!

(Max made a toasting gesture with the wine.)

Max: To the dads! May they always be there to let us down when we need them the most!

(Max glugged back the wine and then poured another for him and one for Louise. Louise looked confused at Max.)

Louise: Did Tom ever let you down?

Max: Yeah, he let me down…big time! Right when I really needed him the most he just, just, left me to my own devices. It was hard, but you get through these things.

Louise: What did he do?

Max: At Christmas, 11 years ago, I wanted a Sega Mega Drive, which was what I always wanted, instead, he bought me a Super Nintendo, and totally ruined my childhood.

(Louise grinned at him.)

Louise: You were a bit young then to be worrying about “Mega Drives” weren’t you?

(Max’s tone became a bit more serious, not so drunk and jolly.)

Max: It’s a games console Louise, the one I wanted and I lost it, because I was too dumb to tell dad straight what I was feeling and then I lost out. You see, it sucks when that happens.

(Louise face changed, she became a little depressed. She called Max over and put her mouth by his ear.)

Louise: Can you keep a secret?

(Max nodded wildly in drunken stupor.)

Louise: I have feelings for Terry.

Max: No?!

(Louise nodded.)

Louise: Yeah, always have. But it was all ruined because he went off to Spain and came back with a bride young enough to be his daughter. Leaving me high and dry.

(Louise sobbed a little. She then had a drink.)

Louise: I wanted so badly to tell him how I felt, but I couldn’t, I didn’t want to hurt him any more than he had been hurt in the past.

Max: Maybe, it would have been better if you had told him, because, then maybe he would never of been in this mess.

Louise: so its my fault?

Max: Good grief no! Its Dawn’s fault, she shouldn’t of married him if the age thing was too much for her to handle, see me, it wouldn’t matter to me as long as the other person meant something, that’s what’s important, its not who it is you fancy but, why that’s important.

Louise: I agree…*puts wine down*…Max, what do you look like under there?

(Max placed his wine glass down on the table.)

Max: If I had a penny, for every time I have been asked that, I’d be richer than the King’s and Tate’s combined. But, lets just say I am not a pretty sight, not anymore.

(Louise stared as his emerald green eyes through the eyeholes of his silver rubber mask. She saw all the red blotches and lines around the vicinity of the eye, spoiling the otherwise nice eye. The right one was in far better condition and a real good indicator of what his eyes looked like before he was burnt, the right eye had a few lines around it from the flames but nothing too drastic, the left eye was there recessed in a blotchy red scarred eye socket. Louise touched his mask trying to get a feel of the face underneath.)

Louise: I wish you didn’t have to wear it.

Max: I don’t want to take it off. It may…repulse you.

Louise: There’s no danger of that happening.

(Louise leaned forward and kissed Max through the mouth opening on his mask. He began to kiss her back once the surprise factor had gone. But he pulled away.)

Max: No…This isn’t right. I…I’m not suitable for you. You’ll regret it.

Louise: I don’t regret that kiss.

Max: One kiss Louise, its no big deal.

Louise: Lets make it two then.

(She tugged his head round and the two began kissing again and then they wrapped arms round each other. Between the booze and the fact he was having his first kiss since heaven know when Max was so high up he’d be in a high orbit. Louise too felt a sense of relief of satisfaction that finally she had scratched an itch that had been annoying her. She stood up and Max looked confused for a moment. She extended her hand. Max took hold of it and she pulled, for a moment the huge King sat steadfast. But then he realised and stood up and was led by her, albeit a bit shaky on his feet.)

Louise: Oh, stairs! I cant do it.

(Louise said staring at the top of the stairs as she leaned down to nurse her sore ankles.)

Max: Maybe I can help?

(Max scooped her up and carried her upstairs to the top of the landing, he was wobbling about a little but was stable enough. He looked round.)

Louise: That one there. *points*

(Max sort of opened the door while still holding Louise and then walked into the room with her and shut the door behind him.)

To be continued…

[demigod]

Part 8

(Max groggily opened his eyes, his head throbbed and seemed to be pulsing, he could feel himself sobering up…fast. He almost in a slight fit of panic and concern lifted a hand up to feel his face, much to his relief he found that his mask was still there firmly in place. He suspected as much but wanted to make sure. He tried to sit up.)

Max: Awww…Good God almighty!

(Max’s stomach muscles refused to cooperate and he stayed down, next to him he noticed a blonde head of hair, and a face, one that he groggily and with somewhat blurred eyesight recognised as belonging to Louise. He was just too weak and still feeling too many adverse effects of the wine to do anything, so he just lay back down.)

****

(The quiet of the village here at the early hours of the morning was brought to a halt as a silver BMW Z4 rounded the corner and lunged into the village. The top was up, but inside was a mysterious looking woman clad in a designer suit of sorts and a head of thick jet black hair. She looked at the King and Sons office, smiled and then drove off.)

****

(Jimmy and Sadie were perched at the breakfast table, each looking very competitive and stubborn; they both looked so stubborn it was surprising. Neither would give the other the satisfaction of relenting in their silent quest. Sadie walked over to the coffee percolator with her mug.)

Sadie: Do you want more coffee Jimmy?

(Her voice was blank and very curt to him.)

Jimmy: She speaks! At long last, how long are you going to keep this up by the way?

Sadie: For one thing, don’t confuse my offering you more coffee with us speaking, no, I am simply asking if you want another cup because I am standing by the machine, it was not my intention to create small talk with you.

Jimmy: Well that’s a fine how do you do.

(Sadie pretty much slammed the mug down onto the counter.)

Sadie: No Jimmy, fact of the matter is I don’t really want to converse with a man who has little respect for my wishes and choices.

Jimmy: Is that right, well Sadie, I have little desire to converse with a woman who has no respect for me as a husband or a man, especially when that woman lies and strings me along like something from a Gerry Anderson TV show!

(Jimmy got up and left the room not being able to bear his wife’s attitude any more.)

Sadie: You want to talk but we cant really do that if you keep storming out of the room every time we have a disagreement!

****

(Louise and Max were just about beginning to finally stir. Max was a little dubious about this and he was absolutely terrified by what her reaction may be. He was getting very nervous and the pain in his head from all the booze he had consumed was replaced with butterflies in the stomach sensations, only, instead of butterflies, Max felt they were more like Eagles. Louise brought her stare to him. Max felt cold.)

Louise: MMmmmm…Good morning Max. Did you sleep ok?

(She had a somewhat coy look on her face.)

Max: Uh…well, I…yes! Thankyou for the room…uh but I um…perhaps should be getting dressed because I need to uh…y’know…um…work!

Louise: What’s wrong?

Max: I…well…you remember what happened last night between us and the copious amounts of wine that we ingested and how am I here in this room and…oh golly!

(Max rubbed his head with plenty of effort.)

Louise: I see, you’re regretting what happened.

Max: Well, that all depends on whether you regret it or not. You see, booze kinda impairs the reasoning and cognitive centres of one’s mind so Its no wonder I wound up here sleeping in this bed…<br>
Louise: No I don’t regret it but, I just wish you would of taken your mask off. It’s the first time I have ever been intimate with a man whose face I couldn’t see.

Max: Oh well, I wear my mask for pretty much everything even……

(Max was halted at that very notion there, about intimacy, he remembered carrying her upstairs and then there was a lot of kissing on the bed and then he remembered being in bed with her and slowly but surely the memories and images that followed were pieced together to form a complete montage in his brain.)

Max: Oh my God…<br>
(His head collapsed into his hands, he didn’t know whether to feel guilty or not. She obviously didn’t so he resolved he would be fine about it.)

Louise: Look, just you know, keep this to yourself because, I don’t want to be called a cradle snatcher or the like. And Terry, oh my God don’t tell Terry. And especially the part where I mentioned having feelings for him.

Max: I wont tell anybody, much like you I don’t want to be called your toyboy or something. Don’t worry it goes no further.

Louise: Good.

(Max and Louise both began to dress, Max looked at his watch.)

Max: Oh no, I am late for work, Matt is going to be so mad at me!

Louise: Im sure you can handle him.

Max: I can, the point is my head hurts too much for me to make my usual effort.

(Louise and Max grinned as they raced to get in their clothes.)

****

(Frank, Len and Pearl were at the breakfast table, Len was eating toast with marmalade and Pearl and Frank both had opted for a simple bowl of cornflakes.)

Frank: I were wondering Len if you fancied going for a pint later on?

Pearl: I don’t know if that is such a good idea Frank. The locals don’t even know you’re here they may be angry.

Frank: I know, but, its been ages since I had a pint.

Len: Its alright love, I think I’d like a pint Frank, to tell you the truth, I haven’t had a good pint for a while now. Do you want to come with us love?

(Pearl sat and thought for a minute.)

Pearl: I think I’ll stay at home and wait here, I really don’t think marching into the pub is going to be the best way to go.

Len: We are not marching anywhere, we’re just going for a drink and a chat and if people have a problem with that then that’s tough.

****

(Matt was sat in the office looking through some papers he looked at the clock and sighed, both Jimmy and Max were late. The door though eventually swung open and in walked Carl.)

Matt: You know, I just didn’t think it were possible.

Carl: What’s that?

Matt: You actually showing up on time for something.

Carl: You’re so funny. Actually I was here to talk about this awards thing.

(Matt raised his hands in a gesture to Carl to stop right there.)

Matt: You are going to ask if its ok for you to fetch Chastity along, well, I’m sorry Carl but the answer is no, a flat out and out no. Dad would go mental if I were to go over his head and arrange a booking and you know it.

(Max and Jimmy walked in Max looked rough as ropes and Jimmy just looked so fed up he could of just threw the towel in.)

Carl: Good morning my dear brothers and how are you doing this morning?

Max: Carl, please don’t sound so cheerful.

(Matt just looked in amazement.)

Matt: And what time do ya call this?!

(Jimmy looked at the clock.)

Jimmy: About a quarter to ten.

Matt: That’s real cute Jimmy. Max you look like you got absolutely sloshed last night and was awake for nearly all of it, I can smell you from here! And Jimmy, of late you just stroll about like you own the place!

(Jimmy sat at his desk.)

Jimmy: Well actually Matt, I own as much as you do. Dad may have left you in charge but that does not mean you can just throw your weight about.

Carl: Look excuse me!

Matt, Jimmy and Max(In unison): WHAT?!

Carl: Have you heard yourselves, you sound like little kids fighting over the action man. You know what I say you should have fun enjoy life, you don’t need to be chained to rules all the time to get work done. I know that running businesses isn’t my area but…<br>
Matt: You’re right about that, but one thing is sure Carl, you don’t have an “area”, unless its some sort of play area with slides and swings and ball pits. So do us all a favour and just clear off back to your bin round hey?

Jimmy: There were no need for that!

(Carl walked out of the office disgusted at the way he had been spoken to.)

Matt: I thought there was. Now you two slackers can get some work done, Max, you can clear off back to Home Farm first and freshen up, and Jimmy, I need you to go and give a client a tour of the construction yard, he has made a generous offer for some building work we cant ignore. Make sure everything there is perfect.

(Matt looked around.)

Matt: Well what are you waiting for, I can hold down the fort. C’mon, move!

(Max and Jimmy climbed to their feet and exited through the front door. They walked down the path.)

Max: You know, one of these days, I swear I am going to seriously damage our dear brother in there.

Jimmy: You get in line, I’ve had to endure him longer than you have. I go first.

(Max smiled, so did Jimmy.)

Jimmy: Do you want a lift back to Home Farm before I swing round to Leeds?

Max: Sure, thanks Jimbo.

(Max and Jimmy climbed into his car and drove off, as they drove off that woman with the BMW Z4 pulled up where Jimmy had been parked.)

****

[demigod]

(Matt was writing an e-mail to a customer, Chloe had the day off today or he’d have her do it. The door popped open.)

Matt: Good morning Sadie, if you’re looking for Jimmy I sent him to Leeds to get…<br>
(Matt looked up, he had made a mistake, that was not Sadie. The woman stood before him was as tall as he was nearly, she had a stylish violet coloured suit on and a beautiful head of jet black hair which was slightly longer than Sadie’s and in stark contrast to her pale almost milky like skin tones. This woman was sculpted not made. She sported a near perfect hour glass figure and a chest that would of rivalled Louise’s. She had two deep mystifying brown eyes to boot. Matt compared her to a sort of Lara Croft type, one thing was certain, Matt liked what he saw. He shot to his feet and went round to greet her.)

Matt: Good morning, Matthew King of King and Sons.

(He extended his had to shake hers, she didn’t offer hers. She had a green file tucked under her left arm.)

Woman: I am looking for Mr Tom King please.

Matt: Well I am his son, he has gone away, and in his absence I am in charge.

Woman: I need the organ grinder, not the monkey.

(Matt turned bright red with embarrassment. His tone became more forceful and aggressive.)

Matt: I assure you, I am no monkey, in fact, I am on equal footing with my father. If you have something to discuss you can go through me or not at all, miss uh…<br>
Woman: Carter, Lydia Carter.

Matt: Well Miss Carter would you like to take a seat, I’ll get you some coffee and we can talk about whatever it is you want to discuss.

(She looked disdainfully at the empty desks.)

Lydia: No secretary, no other people at the controls? Seems like a poor excuse for an office to me.

Matt: Actually, the secretary is having her day off, and my brothers are all out on business meetings.

(She nodded.)

Lydia: Yes, I saw on my way in, a fairly large older one and an even larger still younger one from what I could tell, with a facemask.

Matt: That’s them.

(Matt continued to make the coffee.)

Lydia: And what about the one that works on the bin truck. Is he a brother?

(She was probing him trying to make him slip up, and he knew it, but no way, it was not going to happen Matt was just too good to be caught out so easily.)

Matt: He is yeah, all of us do are part to help the business.

(She nodded.)

Lydia: I admire that.

(Matt brought over the coffees.)

Matt: Well then Miss Carter, shall we get down to business then.

(Matt smiled as she produced her file onto the desk and opened it.)

****

(Frank and Len made their way up to the pub they stopped outside the entrance, nobody was about.)

Len: If you are having second thoughts about all this lad, nows the time to say so before we go in there.

Frank: No, I want to have a pint and try and see if I cant make peace with the people here, the last thing I want is to ruin things for you and mum, especially after all the heartache I have put her through. She has suffered enough, no, I got to do this, for her sake as much as my own.

(Len patted Frank on the shoulder, he found himself respecting Frank in some way, Len admired the strength and fortitude that he had in his desire to get on with his life. So into the pub they walked. Len was relieved to see Diane stood behind the bar as well, he knew Diane would be reasonable and fair about the situation.)

Len: Can I have two pints please Diane.

Diane: Of course you can Len, coming right up!

(Louise locked her eyes on Frank and wondered for a moment. She walked over to Viv.)

Louise: That isn’t who I think it is, is it?

Viv: I don’t know. You don’t think that’s him do you?

Louise: Could be, hang on I’ll see.

(Louise walked over to Len and Frank.)

Louise: It’s good to see you back in here Len especially after the other night. And, who is your friend, I don’t think we’ve met before, I’m Louise the co-landlady.

(Frank swallowed hard and so did Len.)

Frank: Frank Bernard Heartborn.

(Louise stared in silent shock, Viv scurried round the bar.)

Viv: You got some nerve showing up here, and you Len Reynolds bringing a rapist into the pub, is nowhere sacred anymore?!

Diane: Viv, that’s enough, you got no right to harass like that.

Viv: Oh I think I have every right, imagine the audacity to do such a thing!

(Scott got up from the table with Dawn and joined his mother.)

Viv: Scott, look, that’s the rapist.

(Frank didn’t know what to do with himself, he just stared at the bar trying not to look at anybody. He was beginning to sweat a little too.)

Len: Are you just going to stand there and let paying customers be harassed for no good reason?

(Len asked Louise and Diane.)

Louise: Actually Len, I think you better take him, and leave.

Diane: Louise, we cant just chuck them out they haven’t done nothing!

Scott: I think you’ll find that they did, for one thing, Len is in league with a pervert and he is a pervert. So why don’t you just get out hey.

(Scott grabbed hold of Frank with one hand and Len with the other.)

Scott: Syd!!

(Syd ran over and helped Scott to eject the two of them.)

Diane: Scott! That’s enough, leave them alone!

(Scott and Syd carried on till they had got both Frank and Len out of the pub, they were thrown out Len fell over and landed awkwardly and immediately clutched at his left arm in pain, as Frank tried to help him back to his feet.)

Scott: And stay out of our pub from no on, next time, we wont be so gentle!

(Scott and Syd walked back inside the pub, as Len still clung to his left arm.)

Diane: What the hell did you two think you were doing!? I’m in charge here not Viv Hope and nobody gets ejected from this pub unless I say so.

(Viv looked indignant and Louise stepped forward with a not too happy look on her face.)

Louise: Actually Diane I think you are forgetting something, I do own half this pub and have been running it while you were in hospital and I don’t want that rapist in here. So if Scott hadn’t of thrown him out on his own initiative I’d of asked for him to be thrown out.

Diane: Louise, we cant just bar people because we don’t like them or what they have done, that’s wrong, and it doesn’t make us any better for doing it.

Viv: Maybe not, but who cares, he’s scum. We’d all be better off with him not in the village at all.

Louise: Im sorry Diane but I’m with Viv on this one. I don’t want Frank in this pub again.

(Diane just turned and walked away into the back.)

Louise: Here you go Scott, Syd, these are on me.

(Louise handed Scott and Syd a pint each, Scott nodded and smiled as he sipped his.)

Syd: Actually Louise, I think I’ll pass, Scott can have it.

(Syd then walked out of the pub Scott just shrugged and pulled Syd’s pint nearer to him.)

****

(Max stopped in front of the b and b, he stared up at the room where the man had been staring at him last night. He was there quite deep in thought, that thought was interrupted though, by Jimmy.)

Jimmy: What are you staring at? Was that your home last night?

Max: No, quite the opposite, that woman in there, she has an attitude to rival mine.

Jimmy: Oh, you mean Steph Stokes. Her old man aint been to well recently.

Max: Is he a chubby sort of man?

Jimmy: Yeah, that’s right.

Max: Oh.

Jimmy: Look Max where were you last night because me and Sadie were just wondering…<br>
Max: I, uh, stayed in the woolpack, Louise…she uh, let me sleep on the sofa.

(His reply was clumsy and not his usual confidence, Jimmy had caught him on the back foot.)

Jimmy: See, no woman can resist a bit of the old King charm, even if that King does wear a mask.

(Jimmy winked at him.)

Max: No, it was nothing like that I got plastered and passed out on the sofa.

Jimmy: Ok Max, if you say so.

Max: What do you mean?

Jimmy: Oh come on, its been written all over you! You’ve had a near perpetual grin on your chops all day!

Max: Nothing happened ok, you are thinking about the wrong thing entirely.

Jimmy: Well, I’m going in for a pint, you want to join me?

Max: Another time, I want to get back to work but first I want to see Carl about something ok.

Jimmy: Right I’ll see you later.

****

[demigod]

(Matt and Lydia were making small talk in the office, more like Matt was flirting.)

Matt: This idea is pretty good. With Hotten being opened out and a few developments going there, you’re idea for a caravan park is intriguing, but we already had that once here and it went belly up.

Lydia: I know, the late Chris Tate owned it I do believe. I am not talking just about grotty caravans Matthew, I am talking about a site that can provide the entertainments and the facilities that customers will pay for its all there.

Matt: You know, I am intrigued, so why don’t we discuss it further, we could go out to dinner.

Lydia: Dinner?

Matt: Yeah, on me, of course.

Lydia: Ok then, I’ll meet you in the pub up the road later on tonight.

Matt: 8pm?

Lydia: Perfect. By the way Matthew, there is someone I’d like you to meet.

(The door opened and this enormous man-mountain walked in. He was nearly as tall as Max and about just as wide. The man was 6’5” if he was anything and easily slightly bigger built. Matt’s eyes nearly fell out of his head. The man wasTanned, with a tone close to what Carlos had, and he wore a pin stripe suit in navy blue and had a pair of Oakley sunglasses on. He looked exactly like a Las Vegas Legbreaker, stylish, strong, and definitely the sort of man you did not want to play games with. His hair was short, very short.)

Lydia: This is Stevie Jordan.

Matt: Pleased to meet you Stevie.

(Matt extended his hand Stevie took hold of it and he shook Matt’s hand firmly, Matt could feel a vice like grip round his hand. Stevie just grinned at the obvious discomfort that Matt was feeling, Matt couldn’t help himself he released a little ‘aaah’ from his mouth. When he took his hand free he rubbed it with his left hand and waved it in the air.)

Matt: Wow! That’s some grip you have there!

Stevie: I like to keep myself strong, it means I can carry out my duties to Miss Carter more effectively.

Matt: Will Stevie be joining us tonight Lydia?

Lydia: Not tonight no.

(Matt seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.)

Matt: So what do you do then Mr Jordan?

Stevie: I help Miss Carter out, basically assist her in the day to day running of her enterprises, and I also sometimes have to deal with, any problems she may encounter.

Lydia: And very good at it he is too.

(The office door opened again and in walked Max, he was confused by the sight of Matt rubbing his right hand, an enormous man in a pinstripe suit and a very fetching young woman. He stood and stared over the three of them for a second.)

Matt: Max, this is Miss Lydia Carter, and her associate Mr Stevie Jordan. Lydia, Stevie, this is the youngest Son in King and Sons, my brother Max.

Lydia: Not too young, I presume.

Max: I will be Twenty-one very shortly Miss Carter.

(Max and Stevie looked at each other. Max extended his hand for a hand shake as he normally did. Matt tried to signal Max not to, but Max either didn’t see or ignored him. Lydia looked on with interest and a sly little grin.)

Max: It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr Jordan.

(Their hands clamped together with a low level clap of sorts. Stevie gripped Max’s hand firmly and Max gripped him back just as firmly. The youngest King showed no signs of discomfort, if he felt any at all, same for Stevie. Their handshake swivelled from left to right and then back to vertical. Max still made no movements or showed any signs of discomfort from Stevie’s iron grip handshake which had seemingly been unable to squeeze Max’s hand like it had Matt’s. Lydia’s sly grin vanished at what she had just seen; Stevie’s normally impressive physicality had failed to budge the young King even slightly. They released each other.)

Stevie: Good. *smiles* we are better acquainted now.

Max: Is there some way I can assist you with your business?

Stevie: A strong handshake and a direct question, I think we will do well with this firm Miss Carter.

(She rose to her feet and looked at the youngest King.)

Lydia: Yes, I imagine we will.

Matt: So I’ll see you later then.

Lydia: Yes Matthew, you certainly shall.

(Both Lydia and Stevie walked out of the office, leaving Matt and Max inside. After they left and shut the door. Max turned and looked at Matt, who was watching Lydia leave.)

Max: So, you want to explain what was going on there or what?

Matt: Oh nothing really, just a little bit of business that may interest dad. *grins* Hows your hand?

(Max lifted his left hand up and examined it.)

Max: The burns have been itching a little bit today, but other than that its ok.

Matt: No, the other one. Sore isn’t it?

Max: Uh…no.

Matt: Oh come on you can drop the act now they’ve gone.

Max: What makes you think I am acting? Sure he had a firm grip, but not firm enough to make me squirm Matthew, I think you ought to know me well enough by now that there isn’t much that can make me yelp like a frightened dog.

Matt: I must say if it is an act its convincing.

Max: You think? Well, its just sad then that your approval of my theatrical skills counts for nothing or maybe I could get a job on TV or something couldn’t I?

Matt: Hilarious, ok, don’t go into a tantrum I believe you, but they are an unusual duo.

(Max nodded.)

Max: I agree, I don’t think Miss “Im a supermodel” Carter and her King Kong friend are all they seem to be.

(Matt laughed.)

Matt: No I didn’t mean unusual in that sense, they just seem like an odd couple. But I know for sure, me and Miss Carter are going to get along just fine.

(Matt smiled eagerly anticipating his date with Lydia later in the day.)

To be continued…

[cass]

Another great one again DG!

Well, well! Didn't expect that with Max and Louise!


And who is this Lydia Carter and Stevie Jorden? I wonder if they are going to mean bad news for the village?

[matthealyisfit]

great DG!!! now thats what ive been looking forward to! interesting new characters there!

[magenta635]

Thumbs up again DG, building up nicely. I really enjoy reading this. More please!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[demigod]

I'll have to chuck something together then. ;D

[demigod]

Lol...I cannot believe how long this thing is going and how I am still not even coming close to running out of steam. My mother always said my imagination was one of my greatest strengths looks like she is right, made me a competant painter too. Anyway, this part is really long, maybe too long, but I hope you like it. Enjoy...hopefully.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Part 9

(Lydia was striding up the road towards her BMW Z4 with Steve trailing behind her she did not look best pleased.)

Steve: Lydia! Lydia! Would you slow down a little, I can’t walk at the speed of light you know!

Lydia: You let yourself down in there Steve, you couldn’t make a punk kid like him squirm?

Steve: He was tougher than I imagined its not my fault!

(Lydia stopped dead in her tracks and cut him a glare.)

Lydia: You are supposed to be the toughest, which is why you work for me!

Steve: So what do you want me to do?

Lydia: The King family are powerful, no doubt there, if our “business” is to prosper and flourish we cannot have them standing against us. Which is why, later on, say in a few weeks…I want you to have a fight with that Max King and I want you to beat him senseless.

(Steve was taken aback, he looked shocked and confused.)

Steve: What!? But, why?

Lydia: I don’t need to justify my decisions to you, can you do it, or are you afraid to have a scrap with a 20 year old kid?

(Steve looked at her confidently.)

Steve: He wont know what hit him! What about the James Bond wannabe?

Lydia: Matt? Oh don’t you worry about him, just leave everything to me.

(Lydia and Steve climbed into the BMW Z4 and sped off.)

****

(Sadie was in the Home Farm Stables with her horse, she turned round and there stood behind her was Zoe Tate. Sadie looked completely shocked.)

Sadie: Zoe? What are you…oh you look terrific, how are you these days? We didn’t know you were coming home.

Zoe: I was released early, I stayed with Ashley last night, I was going to call you, but I thought I’d just call in.

Sadie: Of course, yes…Actually Zoe, its wonderful you are back and everything but, I was wondering if, well how can I put this, how does your return effect myself, Jimmy and Max?

Zoe: Well, for the moment, you are welcome to stay on here, until I get back on my feet again and you and Jimmy sort out your new home…By the way, who is Max? Is he your dog?

(Sadie gave off a small laugh.)

Sadie: Hardly, Max is my brother in law, the youngest King. He is staying here for a bit.

Zoe: Where are Tom and Charity?

Sadie: They are away, we are actually expecting them back later today which makes today a very special day.

Zoe: I’m glad things are going well for you, I cant wait to meet Max.

Sadie: I must warn you, Max is a little…uh…different to the rest of his brothers.

(Zoe’s face changed to one of concern and curiosity.)

Zoe: What do you mean?

Sadie: He was badly burnt as a teenager, he wears a mask and I think he still suffers a lot of the emotional hang-ups that go hand in hand with such a traumatic experience. Plus it didn’t happen too long ago, only 6 years, he is not quite 21 yet.

Zoe: Oh I see, poor kid.

Sadie: Look are you planning on coming into the pub later today, because if you are I’d like to buy you a drink.

Zoe: I wasn’t planning on it, but I suppose since I am back in the village and would have to do it anyway, I may as well get it over with now.

Sadie: Good! I’ll run you down there later then.

****

(Jimmy looked ominously at the building in front of him, it looked very much like a solicitors office, but this building had more than just solicitors inside it. Jimmy walked in through the front door and made his way down the hall into the reception area, he walked up to the desk.)

Jimmy: Im here to see Mr Frenco please.

(The Secretary smiled at him.)

Secretary: Do you have an appointment Mr King?

Jimmy: Yeah, Its urgent too.

Secretary: Not a problem, if you’d like to take a seat Mr King he’ll see you shortly.

(Jimmy took a seat, he crossed his legs and folded his arms looking one thoughtfully.)

****

(The woolpack was on a quiet spell at the moment, Louise and Diane each were stood like statues at each end of the bar, Bob and Chas were both doing their things. Louise walked over to Diane.)

Louise: Diane, do you have time for a coffee and a chat?

Diane: As a matter of fact I do pet…Bob, you and Chas hold down the fort me and Lou need to discuss some things.

Chastity: What things?

Diane: Pub things. Nothing to worry about. Shall we go through then love?

Louise: Yeah.

(Louise and Diane walked through to the back, Louise sat down on the sofa while Diane made the coffees.)

Diane: So what have you done now?

Louise: Oh Diane, I think…I think I am falling for one of the King’s and I don’t even know why really.

Diane: That’s a very candid reply, may I ask which one or are you being like that deliberately.

(Louise made a face to go to speak, Diane raised her hand stopping her in her tracks, she lifted the coffees and walked over and then sat with Louise, Diane was smiling.)

Diane: Right then, we can rule out Carl for a start as I cant see you and him giving it another shot, Jimmy is married so all things considered Im guessing Matt. I mean who could blame you he’s rich, handsome, and rich.

(Louise shook her head.)

Diane: So its not Matt then? Well, which one, not Tom surely. *chuckles*

Louise: Its not funny Diane, actually, its Max.

Diane: Max?! Louise you got just over 15 years on him! He’s young enough to nigh on be your son, not only that but my God, not that that is reason to not like him mind you, but the bloke wears a mask for a reason, so naturally I didn’t think he’d be your type.

Louise: I am afraid it goes a little beyond fancying him.

Diane: Oh my God, you haven’t…<br>
Louise: I have.

Diane: I can see Max has numerous strengths, not to mention the one in his arms, but why? He just doesn’t seem like the sort of man capable of sweeping you off your feet.

Louise: I thought that, but he stayed over here the other night after having a row with Sadie, and we both talked a lot and despite our initial disagreements I found that I liked him, he had been through so much Diane and it just happened, I made the first move and before we knew it we ended up in bed together.

(Diane looked flabbergasted at her co-landlady.)

Diane: So what happens now?

Louise: I don’t know. On the one hand I enjoyed the night we spent together even if I was drunk, he made me feel, like, really wanted…you know. But on the other, I am far older than he is. I just don’t know what to do. Suppose he wants to carry on with this, I don’t know what I want really.

Diane: How about Terry?

(Louise looked in somewhat stunned renewed memory, she had forgotten about Terry in all this.)

Louise: I don’t know, I just cant think Im so confused Diane.

(Diane put her arm around Louise.)

Diane: Look love, I cant tell you what to do, at the end of the day Max is over 18 so he is old enough to make up his own mind, and also only you know what you really want. But I think it would be best all round if you told Max that you think he should find someone his own age and you try and figure out who or what you really want.

(Diane stood up.)

Diane: Now, I think we should show our faces out there hey?

Louise: You’re right, besides, Max has probably not gave me a second thought all day today.

(Both women got up and headed out into the bar.)

****

(Jimmy was still sat waiting, he was tapping his foot on the floor and periodically checking his watch.)

Secretary: Mr King…Mr Frenco will see you now.

Jimmy: And high time too.

(Jimmy grumbled as he left the waiting area and walked down the hall into a door on his right, Jimmy didn’t knock he simply let himself in.)

Mr Frenco: Do come in Mr King…Ah, no Mrs King today I see.

Jimmy: That’s right, me and you need to bring our business to a close I regret to inform you.

(Mr Frenco sat down after shaking Jimmy’s hand looking somewhat puzzled.)

Mr Frenco: But I thought you were keen to move along with the development and get to the construction phase. Frankly Mr King you have sunk a lot of money into this, you do realise that if you cancel now, the money you have already paid cannot be refunded?

(Jimmy nodded.)

Jimmy: Yeah, I know, and furthermore Mr Frenco, I couldn’t care less because recently I have lost something far more valuable than all the money to my name, which is why I have no intentions of continuing this building project through to conclusion. I want to cancel it now. That thing can stay as a drawing, or you can offer it to somebody else who wants it for a house, either way, its no good to me anymore.

(Mr Frenco nodded.)

Mr Frenco: Well, that of course is your prerogative Mr King, if you wish to cancel that is alright, if you could just sign this cancellation form and hand it in at the desk along with your fee on the way out and I will send you a letter of confirmation then during the week.

(Mr Frenco handed Jimmy a form, he took it and eagerly signed it on the bottom. Mr Frenco rose to his feet and shook Jimmy’s hand.)

Mr Frenco: It’s a pity that circumstances have changed for you Mr King, it would have been a beautiful house.

Jimmy: Yeah, it could have been a dream home, but, dreams are just that, dreams.

(Jimmy then walked out of the office with a look of semi-accomplishment on his face.)

****

[demigod]

(Sadie and Zoe were outside the pub. Just about to go in.)

Sadie: If you are not feeling up to this we can go.

Zoe: No, I want to face it.

(They both walked into the pub, the pub fell sort of quiet as they all turned and looked at Zoe.)

Diane: ZOE! Its great that you are back!

Louise: I agree its wonderful to have you back.

(Paddy came round the bar to her.)

Paddy: I cant believe that you just arrived her without telling us you were coming, we could have had some sort of homecoming do for you.

(There were other shouts of approval and praise at the newly returned Tate most of which she took with good cheer.)

Zoe: It is nice to be home and sane again.

Diane: What’ll you have then, and this drink is on me.

Zoe: Oh, right well, that’s very kind of you Diane, I’ll just have a orange juice please.

Diane: One orange juice coming up and Sadie, your usual is it?

Sadie: Yes please.

Diane: You go ahead and sit down, I’ll bring em over to you.

(Sadie and Zoe both went and sat down. Louise walked over and spoke to Diane.)

Louise: I wonder what is going to happen when Scott finds out that Zoe is back.

Diane: I don’t know, but I know one thing, they got a few things to sort out.

****

(Matt and Max were walking out of the office both were talking and joking, Jimmy pulled up in his car.)

Matt: We were just going to the pub for a bite to eat and a few pints, you gonna join us. I think Sadie is already there by now.

Jimmy: Yeah, go on then.

(Jimmy wound up the electric window got out and locked the car up, he caught up with his brothers and they walked into the woolpack. Louise and Max both looked straight at each other. They both tried to not look at the other, the three King’s walked up to the bar.)

Max: Uh…why don’t you guys join Sadie and that woman she’s with and I’ll bring the drinks over yeah?

Matt: What woman…?

(Matt and Jimmy instantly recognised Zoe Tate, they walked over to the table leaving Max and Louise at the bar each feeling somewhat awkward around the other.)

Max: Look uh…Louise, about last night, it was really great to be able to be with someone and I am glad it was you but I’m guessing we have to be realistic, in as much as, I suppose we have to say ‘it never happened’ don’t we?

Louise: I think that’s for the best under the circumstances. If we were closer in age, it wouldn’t be such a big deal but we both have our reputations to think of don’t we?

Max: We do, and for what its worth, despite our initial clashes I am glad we can be friends now.

Louise: And me. Three pints is it?

Max: Yes please.

(Louise began pulling the pints as Max stared on.)

Jimmy: Well its great that your home, but what about us, where do we stand with Home Farm?

Zoe: I explained to Sadie earlier about that, you are both more than welcome to stay on at Home Farm if you like, just until I get things together again and of course you and Sadie sort out your home, you are building aren’t you?

(Jimmy went quiet and cold thinking about what he had done earlier. He played with the beer mat in front of him, Zoe was confused by the lack of response.)

Sadie: Yes we are building, its all ready pretty much, we just need the builders and then it all gets underway.

Zoe: So Matthew, how have you been keeping?

Matt: Well you know the usual, business and more business, its non-stop.

(Max walked over carrying three pints he placed one in front of Matt the other with Jimmy and the remaining one he himself had he sat in between Jimmy and Matt opposite from Sadie and Zoe.)

Max: And a girlfriend too isn’t that right Matt?

(Matt went a little red.)

Matt: She’s hardly a girlfriend Max, I haven’t even been on my first date with her yet.

(Zoe stared curiously at Max, Max knew she was but he didn’t offer any of his usual sharp replies as she had not long come out of being institutionalised, despite his obvious restraint Sadie was cringing.)

Zoe: I’m sorry for asking, but, does it hurt sometimes?

Max: Not really, but it itches terribly sometimes, especially here on my left hand.

(Max raised his left arm rolled up the sleeve and showed Zoe all the lines and ridges burnt into the skin by the fire. Sadie and Max’s brothers were surprised at how lightly Max took Zoe’s question; normally he would explode into fury at the mention of it.)


Max: I have gotten over it mostly, but, the mask, I have to wear it because its just the proper thing to do, I have a face not even a mother could love.

(Max then laughed a little at his own joke. Nobody else did though.)

Jimmy: Its alright Max.

(Jimmy patted him on the back.)

Zoe: Im sorry I didn’t mean to offend…<br>
Max: You didn’t Miss Tate, far from it, honestly, its cool I’m cool with it.

Sadie: So moving swiftly on, lets hear all about this woman then Matt.

(Matt grinned uncontrollably at the thoughts of Lydia and he on a date.)

Matt: Well, she’s young attractive and more to the point she’s not married. She is perfect for me.

Max: Yeah, but she’s as shifty as a bag of weasels though.

Sadie: Really?! Anyone we may know?

Matt: Her name is Lydia Carter.

Sadie: That doesn’t sound familiar she must be new.

Zoe: I don’t know this woman either.

(Jimmy swallowed his pint down in quick time and then he rose to his feet, everyone at the table looked at him as he slammed the glass down.)

Matt: Steady on…Where are you going?

Jimmy: Home, I got a few things to do.

(Jimmy barged past Scott who was just on his way into the pub, Scott turned the corner and saw Zoe there sat with the King’s Scott stared and pointed in disbelief. Zoe rose to her feet.)

Zoe: Hello Scott.

****

(Jimmy walked over to his car and opened it, in a temper though he balled his fist and pounded it down on the roof a few times in his anger. Chloe saw the troubled King and began to slink her way over to him.)

Chloe: Careful, you might damage the paintwork, that’d be a shame especially on such a nice car like that.

Jimmy: Is there something I can help you with Chloe?

Chloe: Actually, I was going to ask you the same question.

Jimmy: It’s nothing I really fancy discussing to tell you the truth. Besides you’re paid to be a secretary, not a shoulder to cry on.

(Chloe advanced ever nearer.)

Chloe: So, you don’t deny that you do need a shoulder to cry on then?

Jimmy: I suppose not.

(Jimmy couldn’t help but be attracted to Chloe with her wide eyed look and offer of help, it was like he had no choice but to accept the offer, and he couldn’t help but be drawn in by her blatantly obvious desires to help.)

Chloe: Do you want to use mine? Or if you prefer, maybe you would just prefer to maybe bend my ear a little?

Jimmy: Okay then, lets go back to Home Farm, I’ll tell you all about my woes there over a triple whiskey.

Chloe: Sounds like a plan.

(Jimmy and Chloe climbed into his car and they left for Home Farm.)

****

[demigod]

(Back inside the pub Scott and Zoe had moved to another table to talk Sadie, Matt and Max remained where they were.)

Sadie: I wonder what they are talking about.

Matt: Probably about their kid.

Max: Either that or Scott is telling her what a scumbag I am. He’s been giving me funny looks ever since our skirmish in the pub, no doubt he told her about my party as well.

Sadie: Well its your own fault, I’ve got no sympathy.

(Max looked at her in disbelief, his right eyebrow shot up behind his blue rubber facemask.)

Max: Sadie, if you felt sympathy for anyone, I would be worried about you.

(Matt grinned and smirked as he lifted his pint and sipped it slowly. Meanwhile on the other side of the pub Scott and Zoe were talking.)

Scott: It would have been nice if you could of phoned or something.

Zoe: Im sorry Scott, I just needed time to think and to get used to the idea of being back in the village again it was a time of adjustment for me. So how is Jean?

Scott: I think Jean has missed her mum, but other than that she is fine, I took good care of her of that you can be certain.

Zoe: Thank-you Scott, for everything you have done for me, I know that things between us didn’t work out, but I am very glad that you are in Jean’s life and for looking after her.

Scott: I don’t need thanks for that Zoe she’s my daughter and I love her to bits. I’d look after her regardless of the situation.

(Zoe put her hand on top of his and gave it gentle squeeze.)

Zoe: I’m grateful, and until I am given the all clear to take her back it looks like you are going to be looking after he for a bit longer.

(Scott pulled his hand away.)

Scott: What do you mean?

Zoe: Scott, it was never a permanent arrangement it was just a temporary measure for the time being until I would get back on my feet.

Scott: And what about the next time? What then? Anything could of happened to Jean that time when you lost it.

Zoe: But, that’s not fair Scott…<br>
Scott: Look, I think that Jean is safer living with me than you, all things considered you cant really blame me can you?

Zoe: She is my daughter too, and you forget, initially you didn’t want to know her, I was left to deal with the pregnancy alone and the birth and everything else in between.

Scott: I don’t care Zoe I cant help the way I feel.

(Sadie walked over to Zoe.)

Sadie: Stop shouting at her, we can hear you from over there.

Scott: This has got nothing to do with you, I was trying to discuss things with her, private business thank-you very much.

(Matt and Max joined Sadie. Max then calmly informed Scott.)

Max: Frankly, I’ll think you’ll find it does have something to do with Sadie, because until Zoe gets back to full strength, she said that Sadie and Jimmy can continue to help out, so Zoe’s business is her business too. So why don’t you stop shouting the odds and talk to her properly hey?

Scott: Or what? As I said it’s got nothing to do with you.

Matt: If that’s the case Scott maybe Zoe should call time on your chat then.

Sadie: I think that would be for the best. Come on Zoe, no point in wasting our energies here.

Zoe: No, I don’t want to leave yet, not until I see Jean first. Maybe I cant take her home but you cant stop me from seeing her, she is my daughter too.

Sadie: Well Scott, what do you say to that?

Scott: That’s fine with me, she can visit at any time.

(Scott then collected his coat and left. Max and Matt began to meander their way out of the pub, Max threw Louise a look and she him, then he stared down at the floor as he went out of the pub feeling a little depressed and not as powerful in himself.)

****

(Back at Holdgate Farm Tom King pulled up in his new car a Mercedes-Benz M-class, it was his new off-roader, jet black metallic paint and a gloriously low level hum of a V8 engine under the bonnet. It had a Personal plate “K5 TK1”. Charity and Tom climbed out of their new machine. Tom came out of the driving seat with a huge grin on his face. Charity went to the back seat and unbuckled Noah from his car seat.)

Tom: She runs as sweet as a nut doesn’t she?

Charity: Lovely, I cant believe how fast it is for a 4x4 though, wow, when you put your foot down on that stretch of the M5 I thought it was never going to stop accelerating.

Tom: Well, with a new car like this you got to see what they can do.

Charity: I thought you had to take it steady for the first 500 miles?

(Tom grinned at her.)

Tom: Well you do, but, sometimes you just cant help yourself.

(Charity surveyed the scene at the Farm.)

Charity: Well this is a fine how do you do, where are the cheering multitudes then?

Tom: I was just thinking that, but seeing as we’re both here and nobody is about and little Noah looks ready to pass out, why don’t we uh…finish our break with a good old fashioned bit of you know what *winks* before everyone joins the party?

Charity: That, Mr King is the best idea you have had all day!

(Charity and Tom along with baby Noah walked into the house and shut the door.)

****

[demigod]

(Jimmy and Chloe were both sat in the Home Farm living room drinking.)

Chloe: I had no idea that things were so bad with you and Sadie, oh I hope things improve for you.

Jimmy: I have lay awake in that spare room for the past month and a half hoping for that same thing, but Sadie and I, only now am I finally realising that we just don’t want the same things out of life anymore.

Chloe: It sounds like you miss her regardless of what she has done or said.

Jimmy: I do, I really do, but I just cannot for the life of me get around the fact that I want kids and under no circumstances am I going to let myself play second string to her, not anymore!

(Jimmy glugged back his whiskey and grimaced slightly. He quickly poured another for himself.)

Jimmy: There’s the bottle Chloe help yourself.

Chloe: Thanks. But I always thought you and Sadie were happy together.

Jimmy: We used to be, and that’s the truth, we really did use to be. But of late I just cant stand it. Im frustrated Chloe, really really frustrated, Im not getting any younger lets face it, Im already a balding wrinkly butt ugly loser as it is.

(Chloe seized her chance, she rubbed Jimmy’s arm slightly and cocked her head seductively to one side.)

Chloe: Oh you certainly are not butt ugly, I find you sort of attractive in a strong sort of authoritive way.

(She deliberately made herself look shocked as Jimmy stared at her sort of perplexed.)

Chloe: Oh…I’m sorry I shouldn’t of said that.

Jimmy: No its alright, truth be told, its been a long time since I have had any real appreciation from anyone.

(Jimmy and Chloe leaned in closer to each other in a kissing motion when the front door to the house opened and they suddenly pulled apart before anything could happen. Sadie and Zoe walked into the front room Jimmy thought quickly.)

Jimmy: So that’s basically what I’ll need you to do on the Nichols file, so if you could have that done for me by tomorrow that’d be great.

(Chloe stood up and lifted her coat.)

Chloe: Not a problem Mr King, and thanks for the drink. I’ll be off then.

(Chloe walked past Sadie and Zoe who simply stared at her remembering what she did over Jean. The front door shut Chloe had gone.)

Zoe: What was she doing here?

Sadie: That’s a good question Jimmy, what was she doing here?

(Jimmy stood up and tried his best to not look as half-cut as he really was.)

Jimmy: I were just going over the details of the Nichols file and what I needed her to do, just a bit of light business love.

Sadie: Then how come you have been drinking and why do you look like you are a little tipsy.

Jimmy: I guess I got carried away, that was nice stuff.

Zoe: Well no disrespects to you and your business, but in future I would prefer it very much if Chloe Atkinson didn’t step foot in my house again.

(Zoe then walked off and left Sadie and Jimmy in the front room.)

Sadie: You could have sorted it over the phone.

Jimmy: Yeah I could of, but I wanted to do it face to face make sure I made myself clear.

Sadie: Sounds to me like she is a little incompetent then, maybe we should rehire?

Jimmy: Its not that, I just invited her up as well to raise her spirits a bit you know, this business with Carl and that poison letters it’s been taking its toll on her I guess I just felt a little sorry for her you know.

Sadie: I suppose, still, we have to respect Zoe’s wishes, don’t fetch her back here, if you want to be a good Samaritan do it elsewhere, remember or continued presence here depends on Zoe’s goodwill I don’t want that spoiled!

Jimmy: I know, I know. I didn’t realise you’d be back so soon.

Sadie: Well, no harm done.

(Sadie walked out of the room, leaving Jimmy looking dejected and somewhat crushed by everything that was happening.)

****

(Matt, Carl and Max were in the pub sat at the table, Max was staring into his pint and then occasionally casting his gaze in Louise’s direction when she wasn’t looking or he thought she wasn’t looking.)

Carl: I’m telling you Matt, this whole business with the poison letters has Chas on the edge, she is going really psycho paranoid. Fact is, I don’t think she trusts me anymore and I am really agonising on what to do about it.

Matt: Well I know what I’d do, I’d dump her, she’s too much hassle Carl, you’re better off without her.

Carl: I know, but, sometimes I just cant help meself, I gotta be with her she is very important to me. But she’s getting on me nerves. To tell the truth I am debating seriously on whether or not to finish with her or whatever.

Matt: That’s probably the most sensible idea you’ve had in ages, now if you got any sense go ahead and do it, what do you think Max?

(Max wearily lifted his head and looked at Carl.)

Max: I think Carl, what Matt is trying to say is that, sometimes, we have to do things that are not what we want, but we do them because they are right and we don’t have much other choice.

Carl: That’s quite a deep piece of advice there. Not the sort of stuff we usually expect from you.

Max: Oh, I’m just full of surprises. Anyway, I want to go, Dad and Charity will be arriving home later and I want to be there to greet them.

Matt: That’ll be a nice surprise for them after their break away, to be greeted by your ugly mug *chuckles*

Max: Enjoy your date with that Steve feller tonight.

(Max said and walked off, Matt’s smirk was wiped off and he went a little red with embarrassment.)

****

[demigod]

(Max walked up the road to Holdgate Farm it was not very far from the village it was just a 10 minute walk, he spent the whole walk thinking about a few things that had happened, most notably his brief relationship with Louise, he thought about her a heck of a lot. In any case he approached Holdgate Farm and saw the new M Class Mercedes-Benz outside. He walked up to the door which was unlocked and open, he entered.)

Max: Dad, Charity!

Tom: Just a second son!

(Tom called from upstairs, then he and Charity appeared at the top of the stairs in their dressing gowns.)

Max: Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.

(Charity grinned at Tom.)

Charity: Oh nothing really.

Max: Its nice to see you both back and looking so well.

(Charity came down and gave Max a hug.)

Charity: You want a coffee Max?

Max: Yeah, I’d love a coffee thanks.

(Tom was not convinced he had that ‘look’ on his face, the look that all fathers get when they detect that something is not all it seems with their son, even if their son hides his face behind a mask. Tom directed Max into the kitchen, Tom and Max sat at the table.)

Tom: So whats on your mind Max?

Max: Me? Oh nothing…and…uh…if there was something…but there isn’t…I wouldn’t particularly want to discuss it.

Tom: I see, well, I’m always here if you decide you do want to get whatever it is off your chest. Now whats been happening since I have been away then?

Max: Nothing, really, Matt is doing a bit of business with some woman, he’s taking her out to dinner tonight, I imagine he’ll fill you in on everything later. So whats with the new car, what happened to the XC90?

Tom: Well, I was driving past the Mercedes dealers and saw that car there, its virtually brand new, its only done about 400 miles. It’s the top spec model too, V8 engine, all leather interior and a host of optional extras, lovely car isn’t it Charity?

Charity: It certainly is, although its no good asking me about it because I don’t know much about cars really.

(Tom turned to Max. After Charity had handed them both their coffees and she sat down to join them.)

Tom: Look Max, I were thinking, you are going on 21 and you still cant drive, maybe its high time you started learning, and besides I have a few insurance contacts, if you pass your test, I think I might be able to swing some car insurance for you on the Merc. If you wanted that is.

Charity: Yeah, because I mean the size of you, you could be my chauffer and bodyguard all in one, road rage would never be a problem again.

(Max leaned forward enthusiastically and smiling for a minute then he sat back with a bit of reserve.)

Max: thanks guys, it’s a very kind offer but I don’t think so. I mean cars are polluting and there are too many of them on the road anyway, besides, I can just catch a lift with one of my bro’s or, just walk. Besides to insure me on a monster like that would cost you an arm and a leg dad.

(Tom chuckled.)

Tom: The money isn’t a problem son, I could afford to insure you on that car a dozen times over and more if I wanted.

(Then he became more serious.)

Tom: It’s the mask isn’t it? You just don’t want to pose for your photo without it. Right?

(Max nodded.)

Max: Look I told you dad, it doesn’t matter, honestly.

Tom: Well I think it does matter, because I don’t see why you should go without just because of your face. Max, if there is one thing you should listen to me on if you never do anything else, remember sometimes in life you have to make sacrifices to get the things that you want and you have to be prepared to fight for things.

Max: I know dad, but it just doesn’t feel right, I’m not ready. One day perhaps, the mask will come off and stay off, but, I just cant, not now it still hurts too much.

Charity: Look Max for what its worth, it doesn’t matter what you look like outside, granted it helps a lot, but you have the character to see you though. You are really great person with a ton of character. Listen to me right, I know what its like to be treated as a second class citizen, don’t you feel like that because you are not, you are better than that.

Tom: She’s right son. You cant hide forever. The only way to get on with life is to face it again. If you’ll excuse the pun there.

Max: I know you are both right, and hell Charity, with speeches like that and such a great coffee, you will make an excellent step-mother. Dad, I really do appreciate everything you have done for me and you are right, the fight starts now!

(Max drank about half of his coffee which was still plumping hot and darted out of Holdgate Farm.)

/*WRITERS NOTE – I can do that which is my initiative for putting it in*\

Tom: You know love, if I were to live to be 100, I still don’t think I’d ever figure out what it is exactly that keeps young Max ticking.

Charity: I think the answer is obvious darling, you.

(Charity leaned down and kissed Tom on the cheek.)

****

(Matt and Carl were still sat in the pub waiting.)

Carl: Where the hell is this woman of yours then I aint got all night you know Matt.

Matt: She said she’d be here so she will, calm down hey.

Carl: Is that her?

(Matt turned round smiling but was severely brought down to earth with a bump by the sight of Steph Stokes.)

Matt: No.

(Matt hissed in reply. Although behind Steph in walked Lydia, she was clad in a sparkling dark gown she looked very elegant, like a proper lady.)

Matt: That’s her.

(Matt said smugly to Carl, who just stared in awe with his chin resting on the table nearly. Matt went over to greet her.)

Matt: Im glad you made it. You look like something that should be on a catwalk.

Lydia: I wouldn’t of missed this for the world. You are not so bad yourself.

(Matt indeed had dressed in his best suit and he looked really sharp, he very nearly could of passed for James Bond. Just as they were finished Steve walked into the pub.)

Matt: Oh Lydia, I thought Steve wouldn’t be joining us.

Lydia: He wont, he is just here to see me off.

(Matt looked slyly at Carl who was gawping at Lydia.)

Matt: Steve, this is my other younger brother Carl King.

(Steve extended his hand, Carl stood up and shook it. The same thing happened to Carl as happened to Matt, Carl squirmed and wriggled and let loose a slightly more audible ‘aaah’ than Matt did, Matt grinned happily. Steve and Carl released their hands, and Carl instantly went and rubbed it.)

Carl: Flipping hell what on earth kinda handshake is that.

Lydia: The only one that Steve knows how to give Mr King.

(Steve was looking pleased with himself, he was slightly taller than Carl and like a tree trunk compared to him.)

Matt: Of course Max proved to be a little tougher than expected, unlike us he didn’t budge an inch, so perhaps we should follow his example and bulk up a bit hey Carl?

(Matt looked at Steve intermittently as he said that. Steve’s grinned soon vanished.)

Matt: Ok then Miss Carter, shall we go?

Lydia: I think that is an excellent idea Mr King. Steve, you take the B’mer back home for me there’s a good man. Pleased to meet you Carl.

Carl: Likewise.

(Matt and Lydia along with Steve walked out of the pub Matt had Lydia on his arm and was looking distinctly like the cat that got the cream. Lydia and Matt got into his car and they drove off and Steve too drove off in the opposite direction in Lydia’s BMW.)

****

[demigod]

(Max pounced out of Andy’s Land Rover Defender long wheel base pick-up.)

Max: Thanks Andy!

(Andy beeped the horn and drove off. Max walked into the pub calmly and collected himself. Carl was still in there. Max motioned under his breath a profane word when he saw the object of his search was not there. Carl walked up to him.)

Carl: Back again little brother?

Max: Yeah, wait a second, ‘little brother?’ I am taller and wider than you are, so don’t call me that.

Carl: Someone’s in a bad mood.

Max: It’s not that Carl, it’s just I don’t have time to have a falling down contest with you tonight.

Carl: Who says I wanted to have a drink with you?

Max: Elementary my dear brother, you always refer to me as ‘little brother’ every time you TRY to drink me under the table.

Carl: Sorry then, I were only trying to be sociable with you.

Max: Carl, look, I’m sorry its just I got a lot on my plate things haven’t been good today.

(Max peeped through the door looking for Louise but he couldn’t see her. Diane and Bob were behind the bar, he noticed Carl’s long face.)

Max: So how are things with you and Chastity then? Not good from the look of things.

Carl: You can say that again, I don’t know Max, I think that our relationship is doomed you know.

Max: Says who?

Carl: Says me, its just ever since those flipping letters have been coming nothing has seemed to go right for me and her. She doesn’t trust me she is really paranoid about everything its like, I am not important enough for her to believe in me and have a little faith in what I am doing. I love her I wouldn’t want to betray her.

Max: No offence Carl and with all due respect, you loved Colleen but that didn’t stop you from chasing anything in a skirt that took your fancy. Maybe she has reason to distrust you.

Carl: You’re my brother you’re meant to be on my side!

Max: I am, which is why I am trying to show you why she may be behaving like this. You got a lot to blame yourself for Carl. Besides, you had that Chloe in there living, you should of chucked her out when you had the chance, two is company and three is a crowd and all that. I am trying to help you because believe it or not I do care about everyone in the family, even little Noah, and at a push Sadie, I just want to help.

Carl: I cant believe that you are telling me on how to conduct a relationship, what would you know about it, girls don’t exactly trip over themselves to get to you do they?!

Max: Well, maybe, if one third of my face wasn’t incinerated nearly, perhaps things would be different today! You have it all, good looks, money, a family that cares about you, kids! All the things that I am not likely to have, except for money that is, and money cannot buy what I really want can it!?

(Diane walked over.)

Diane: Boys could you keep it civil please we don’t want any more brawls in here do we?

Carl: Its not me its him being all hostile.

Max: Im not being hostile, look Carl, if you want your relationship to work, you simply gotta show Chas that you love her and more importantly that she can trust you, that is the only way you are gonna solve any of your problems.

(Carl backed down.)

Carl: You’re right, its true, I have not exactly been 100% faithful have I? But not with Chas I have never cheated on her.

Max: Well you know what, there is no time like the present, why don’t you go home and tell it like it is that you love her and you want her to trust you because you swear she can. If you don’t try you will never forgive yourself…well, you may be able to because you are a law unto yourself aren’t you?

(Carl and Max had a friendly hug.)

Carl: Thanks Max, I’ll see you later.

Max: Bye Carl.

(Louise walked into the pub from the back Max saw her and she saw him she went to walk away. But Max reflexively called out before she could.)

Max: Louise!

(She stopped and, so as not to raise suspicion, walked over to Max.)

Louise: What can I get you?

Max: A little chat would be nice.

Louise: I meant to drink.

Max: I know what you meant, but I swear I wont leave this bar until you talk with me, I’ll stay here all night if need be.

Louise: Alright, five minutes though mind, you can come through to the back.

(Max followed Louise through to the back.)

****

(It was dark over the dales Matt and Lydia pulled up outside his little house in the village.)

Lydia: I imagined you would live in something bigger.

Matt: This is for convenience purposes only. I have definite plans to go somewhere else in the near future.

(She leaned closer to him.)

Lydia: I just want you to know that I had a wonderful time tonight and that no man has ever made me feel quite like you did.

Matt: I have that effect.

(Without a second thought Lydia leaned over and kissed him, passionately. They pulled apart and Matt was like a fish out of water gaping with his mouth.)

Matt: Wow!

Lydia: I have that effect.

Matt: So do you want to come in for a nightcap?

Lydia: Definitely.

(Matt and Lydia walked into the cottage.)

****

(Back at the pub Louise and Max where in the back room discussing a few issues.)

Louise: Max this is pointless, we are going round and round in circles, and no matter how much you rage it changes nothing it simply cannot be.

Max: Why!?

Louise: Because, I thought we agreed earlier.

Max: I didn’t.

Louise: Look Max I don’t know what you want from me, am I some sort of conquest to you to boast to your mates and your brothers?

Max: Good God no! Never! Louise, look me in the eyes and tell me that on some level you didn’t enjoy what happened, I know I am no oil painting, but you touched me emotionally in a way nobody else could ever have done.

Louise: And you me, but we are separated by too many years.

Max: soft_bits TO IT!!!

(Louise recoiled stunned at the burst of temper.)

Max: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to shout, but cant you see how mad this has been driving me, I am not in the habit of one night stands, I need stability, I want for us to at least have a go at being a couple.

Louise: I wish we could, please believe that, but my feelings for Terry and you being so much younger than me.

Max: I wear a mask nobody really can tell how old or young I am. I can be any age I want under here.

(He went and sat with Louise.)

Max: I want to have something more with you than just a one night stand, I need something better to look back on something to treasure and cherish.

Louise: I don’t know how I can provide that.

Max: You can, just let go of your logical thinking and go with your passionate thinking. Answer me honestly, if you had the power to prevent what happened between us happening would you do it?

Louise: No.

Max: Neither would I. From the sounds of things we both have had a lot of circumstances where we have not got what we wanted, well, from now on I say screw that, and screw the rules. We are not hurting anybody Louise, did you hurt yourself by being with me last night?

Louise: No, but I felt bad because if people know about you they will say you are a toy boy.

Max: I don’t care about that, and neither should you. There is nothing here to feel guilty over.

(Max and Louise kissed, they began kissing heavily and passionately.)

****

(Back over at Matt’s he and Lydia were sipping their nightcap.)

Matt: Look, we got on so well today, I know it has only been one date and all, but, would you like to stay over, I got a spare bedroom and a be made up, quite a comfy one even if I say so myself.

(Lydia looked somewhat displeased.)

Matt: What’s wrong?

Lydia: Well, its just that I would like to sleep over, but, not in a spare bed.

(Matt smiled a little.)

Matt: I’m sure we could arrange something.

Lydia: I really hope so…<br>
(They leaned closer to each other till their lips were nearly touching.)

Matt: Me too…<br>
(Then it happened Lydia and Matt were kissing very passionately.)

****

(Back at the woolpack, Louise and Max lay side by side in bed, he had his arm round her and her head rested on his broad chest. Yet, he still had his facemask on again. Both were still awake and cosying up to each other.)

****

(Back at Matt’s cottage, he and Lydia were gradually making their way upstairs kissing and bumping from side to side as they headed into Matt’s bedroom on the landing as the door to it shut and they both disappeared inside.)

To be continued…(Oh good grief, say it aint so!!)

[cass]

Wow! Is it me or is it getting hot in here!

Love how it's coming along DG...

I don't know; but I think that Lydia as something up her sleave! She is getting cosy with Matt and that has to be for something...

[matthealyisfit]

My goodness! what can i say? FANTASTIC! 3 of the kings with some passion! keep it up! pity im not lydia! haha

[magenta635]

;D ;D ;D - Brillant, you got me gripped.

[demigod]

Part 10

One Month Later…[/u]

Very rarely did things go so well for so long. But it seemed that both Matt and Max had finally found a bit of happiness with two very different women. Lydia was a few years Matt’s junior, and Louise was about 15 years Max’s senior. News of Matt and Lydia’s relationship was the hot topic of the village gossip, and the newly returned Betty Eagleton took much delight in discussing the relationship of Matt King and Lydia Carter. This was a time of both crisis and glory for the King family, on the one hand you had Matt, very happy in his relationship with Lydia, and Max too was happy with his clandestine affair with Louise. But for happiness there is sorrow, Jimmy and Carl as far as affairs of the hearts was concerned were in constant pain. Jimmy struggled to maintain his composure and gradually found himself less and less able to resist the temptations of his secretary Chloe.

Sadie was left to drift and to agonise over her failing marriage with Jimmy, but had of late seemed to find a friend in Zoe, also returned from the hospital. But for a few returns had seen a few departures, Frank decided to move on rather than suffer the ritual humiliations of the day in the village and not long after he left, Len and Pearl also elected to leave their home behind. Fun was beginning to fade down and something else was beginning to take its place, stark reality, for as of now a number of villagers would soon be forced to face the pasts they had so hard tried to bury and forget about…<br>
****

(Max and Louise were down in the woolpack cellar giggling and kissing in a dark corner of the pub. Their relationship while certainly, very uncommon, was shrouded in utmost secrecy, nobody but they knew that it was going on. Louise and Max’s passionate encounter was momentarily halted by the noise of Bob coming down the stairs.)

Bob: I’ve been working on the railroad, all the live long days! I’ve been working on the railroad just to pass the time of day! Da de dum da dee dee, dum da dee da dee dee. I Been working on the railroad…

(Max and Louise peeped round from behind the crate, Max loomed over her watching from just behind her, they ducked back in as they struggled to contain their laughter.)

Max: Bob’s singing isn’t too bad really.

(Max whispered. Bob snatched up the boxes of crisps he had been sent down to collect and walked back up the stairs.)

Louise: Right, where were we?

(Max and Louise made with the passion once again, but for the second time was halted but this time it was the sound of Max’s wris*thingych alarm bleeping.)

Max: Drat! I am due back at work any minute!

Louise: Cant you leave it?

Max: I dare not, Jimmy is already suspicious, I don’t want to give him any incriminating evidence, after all, you do want our uh…relationship to remain a secret.

(Max kissed her goodbye and then he carefully snuck up the stairs to leave the pub.)

****

(Up at Home Farm; Sadie was looking through a file with a white sticker on it that said “the house”. Sadie was searching furiously for something in this file that at present seemed to elude her.)

Sadie: Jimmy!! *pauses* Jimmy!!

(Jimmy made his way into the Home Farm office where Sadie was yelling from.)

Jimmy: What is it?

Sadie: No need to be that sharp, but, the house folder, I can’t find the authorisation letter so I have not got the faintest idea when building is set to commence, have you got the letter?

(Jimmy thought for a moment, and then considered it again. He stood firm and seemed to brace himself)

Jimmy: There isn’t gonna be a house Sadie.

Sadie: Jimmy what on Earth are you talking about?!

Jimmy: Exactly what I say, there isn’t gonna be a house because I took the liberty of halting the development, sorry, but your dream home has been scrapped. I were gonna mention it a little further down the line, eventually…<br>
(Sadie stared in disbelief at what Jimmy had done.)

Sadie: Oh my God.

Jimmy: Now you know how it feels don’t you? You deceitful cow!

Sadie: I should have been prepared for this. This is your way of getting revenge on me because I don’t want children, isn’t it?

(Jimmy stormed over to her.)

Jimmy: Actually Sadie, yeah it is. You strung me along like a fool for a whole flipping year before I learned the truth. When were you planning on telling me that all my efforts in trying for a baby were a waste of time? Fact is, I am of the impression right now that our marriage was a waste of time, a sham, and based on lies and manipulations.

(Sadie shook her head.)

Sadie: No Jimmy!

Jimmy: I may look stupid, but that doesn’t mean I am! You married me for money and for what you could get, and yet you have the gall to say about Charity! What’s that all about?

Sadie: I married you not Tom, Jimmy I love you!

Jimmy: See, I find that incredibly difficult to believe, if you loved me, you wouldn’t of lied and took me for a mug for 12 months straight, letting me believe that we were not getting a baby because of medical reasons. That was a low down, dirty thing to do Sadie!

(Sadie’s face turned to one of anger now, from the one of pleading innocence.)

Sadie: Well, what you did was a new low too. You haven’t exactly been the husband I imagined, look at you, you are deteriorating faster than an ice sculpture in the middle of a Spanish heatwave.

(Zoe appeared in the doorway behind them.)

Sadie: Its at times like this that I wonder why I married you, I must of took leave of my senses the day I said ‘I do’, besides Jimmy its all well and good you standing there calling me the lowest of the low, even if I were to stop my contraceptive injections I doubt you could muster enough to get me pregnant anyway!

(Jimmy’s face screwed up to one of sheer anger, he slapped her across the face with his right hand, creating quite an audible clap. Sadie turned back to him and looked in disbelief. She turned and left through the back door.)

Jimmy: Sadie! Wait…I didn’t mean…<br>
(Jimmy hung his head and then rubbed his temples with his hands. Zoe turned and walked away.)

****

(Back at the pub, Louise walked out of the toilet looking very concerned. She walked downstairs and into the front room. She sat down heavily on the sofa and propped her head with her hand she looked totally spent. Diane walked into the room as blue chipper as she always was she noticed the long face on Louise.)

Diane: What’s the matter Lou?

Louise: Oh, nothing really, I’m just a bit tired and wore out.

Diane: It was a busy night last night. Are you coming through love?

Louise: Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute I promise.

(Louise stared ahead and bit her bottom lip before getting up and heading to the bar.)

****

[demigod]

(Matt and Lydia were in the office of King and Sons, Matt was sat in a swivel chair with Lydia on his knee, they were fondling and chatting, and just generally flirting with each other.)

Matt: You are a distraction.

Lydia: And you are just plain irresistible!

Matt: So are you.

(They began kissing again, the hadn’t heard Max enter the room but he was there the noise of his rather loud… “Ahem” … soon brought the two lovebirds back to Earth with a bump much to Max’s delight.)

Matt: Max, what the heck are you doing back this early?!

(Lydia got down of Matt’s knee, and sat in a chair nearby to Matt’s desk.)

Max: You always think the worst of me don’t you? Hazard a guess why would I be back so soon?

Matt: Off-hand, I’d say because you screwed up the deal and the haulage contract has gone down the tubes.

(Max slowly shook his head and produced from the pocket of his brown leather jacket a vertically folded piece of paper which he placed down before Matt’s eyes on his desk. Matt opened it cautiously and then he smiled a huge grin.)

Matt: It appears I owe you an apology for my misplaced concerns. I can’t believe you got an agreement out of that guy, he is as tightfisted as Scrooge and more conservative than Mrs Thatcher and yet you got this?! How?

Max: Ooooh…Lets just say, you have your ways of doing business and I got mine.

Lydia: Bravo Max.

Max: Thanks.

(Max turned to Chloe who was typing up something on the keyboard with one hand and eating a roll with the other.)

Max: Hey red, book me a table for two at The Dineutopia in Hotten.

Chloe: That new posh place, who you taking there?

Max: That is not you concern my dear, but booking the table is, so do that for me.

Chloe: Please!

Max: Do you want to be sacked?

Chloe: No.

Max: Well shut up then and book the table.

(Chloe made a face and picked up the phone and dialled, Max headed into Tom’s office, Tom was sat in his leather office chair sipping coffee and looking rather happy in general.)

Tom: Ah Max did you get the contract?

Max: Yeah, I slung it on Matt’s desk he’s dealing with it, now that he has pried himself away from Lydia.

Tom: Oh, she’s a fine woman her. Matt’s done well.

Max: Maybe, anyway dad I was wondering if I could have some money.

Tom: How much do you need?

Max: About 300 pounds.

Tom: 300 Pounds!!

(Tom said in shock.)

Max: Please dad, I need it.

Tom: Go on then, you know, I must be becoming a soft touch in my old age.

(Tom walked over to a painting and slid it aside he then opened a safe that was hid behind it, from which he counted out 300 pounds in 20’s, Tom closed the safe, locked it and then slid the painting back. He walked round and handed his son the money. Tom looked up into the towering youngsters face.)

Tom: Don’t go spending that all at once do you hear me?

Max: Loud and clear dad.

(Max leaned down and gave Tom a hug.)

Max: I appreciate it a lot.

(Max then headed off out towards the exit.)

Matt: Where are you going?

Max: To go and see a man about a car.

Matt: What for?

Max: You’re flies undone.

(Matt looked down and then Max seized his chance for escape and bolted out the door.)

Matt: He’s in a good mood.

Lydia: Yeah he certainly is, Matt, you haven’t got anything else to do today so I was wondering if maybe you would like to go home and have something to uh… ‘Eat’?

(Matt cottoned on to what she meant and smiled broadly.)

Matt: Oh yeah, I think I would like that a lot.

****

(Sadie was sat in the garden on a bench at Home Farm crying her eyes out. Zoe walked over and sat with the tearful Sadie, who on sight of Zoe’s approach attempted to wipe away her tears and pretend she was alright.)

Zoe: I know this is probably the most stupid question to ask but, it’s the standard one you ask isn’t it? “Are you alright?”<br>
(Sadie smiled and laughed through the tears.)

Sadie: If you want the truth, not really.

Zoe: I saw what happened earlier, I wasn’t deliberately snooping, I heard shouting and, I saw that he hit you.

Sadie: Yeah, Jimmy has never hit me before it was quite a shock to say the least. Really though Zoe, you don’t need to worry about me and Jimmy, everything is alright I assure you.

Zoe: Not from where I am sitting it doesn’t appear to be. Look Sadie, I am no expert on marriages or the like but you and Jimmy have some serious problems that just need to be sorted out not swept under the carpet.

Sadie: I can tell you one thing, tonight he wont be sleeping in my bed that is a guarantee!

(Zoe patted Sadie on the back.)

Zoe: If you like I could ask him to find somewhere else to stay if you want?

Sadie: That wont be necessary Zoe, but thank-you anyway I appreciate you trying to help, but this is a matter that me and Jimmy are just going to have to work our way through.

****

(Jimmy stormed into the woolpack and marched up to the bar.)

Diane: Yes, Jimmy what can I get you?

Jimmy: A double whiskey please.

Diane: That’s not your usual.

Jimmy: That’s because I’m not me usual self today.

(Jimmy handed Diane a tenner and she went to the till and got the change and the drink bringing them back over to him.)

Jimmy: Thanks,.

(Jimmy glugged it back in one go and then handed Diane the glass.)

Jimmy: Stick us another one in there please.

(Diane took the glass and looked concerned at Jimmy.)

Diane: Is everything ok love, you look very down in the dumps.

Jimmy: The dumps is probably where I’ll be sleeping tonight, so please, keep em coming hey.

(Jimmy handed Diane more money and she went and got more drinks for him.)

****

(Matt and Lydia were back at his cottage both getting very passionate as far as the other was concerned, Matt pushed Lydia away.)

Matt: Stop a minute.

Lydia: What?

Matt: Look, I think its high time we had a serious talk.

Lydia: About what exactly? What is there to talk about?

Matt: Us for one thing, look Lydia, we have been together for over a month now, and to be honest the way I feel about you, goes beyond anything I have ever felt before. I don’t talk about her much but, I had a wife, she died, nobody else mentions it, it was all forgotten. Swept under the carpet.

(Lydia held his hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.)

Lydia: Whatever it is Matt. You can discuss it with me, I care about you a great deal and considering we have been going steady now for over a month, I think I would like to really get to know you more.

Matt: It’s precisely that I want to talk to you about. Lydia, I want you to move in with me. I just cannot imagine life without you, I got to have you near at all times. I know it’s a big step, and its somewhat out of character for me, but what do you say?

(Lydia moved and put her arms around him.)

Lydia: I will need time to think naturally.

Matt: Of course, take a week, whatever you need.

Lydia: Done thinking…yes.

Matt: Just like that?

Lydia: Just like that. Matt, I have been feeling the same as you, but I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t want to scare you away.

Matt: It’d take something to scare me, remember I do have 3 brothers…Since we are on the subject, how about confessions?

Lydia: What?

Matt: I think I am in love with you Lydia.

Lydia: Oh Matt, I am speechless, I…I fell in love with you after our first date! You made me feel so special and so important.

(They kiss and then they hug, Lydia looks pleased with herself as her head rests on Matt’s shoulder.)

****

[demigod]

(Chloe walked into the woolpack, looking as glamorous as she normally does. She spotted Jimmy sat at a table in the corner looking very sorry for himself. She bypassed the bar and headed over to him instead.)

Chloe: Are you alright, you look very sad.

Jimmy: I got reason to be love; I got good reason to be.

Chloe: I’ll just get myself a drink, do you want one?

Jimmy: Yeah, I’ll have another double whiskey and get yourself one on me.

(Jimmy handed Chloe a twenty pound note, she walked up to the bar and got the drinks. Jimmy’s phone rang, it was Sadie trying to call him but he didn’t answer it, instead just switched it off and threw it into jacket pocket. Chloe sat back down.)

Chloe: Here you go.

Jimmy: Thanks love, by the way did I ever tell you that you are worth your weight in gold?

Chloe: Not till now.

Jimmy: I wish we never hired her.

Chloe: Hired who?

Jimmy: Sadie.

Chloe: Oh?

Jimmy: She was a secretary once, look where that got me. Still, there is something about a secretary that just appeals, I don’t know what it is…Cheers.

(Jimmy drank down his whiskey as Chloe smirked hopefully at the prospects of bagging the eldest King for herself.)

****

(Sadie, placed the phone down as she stood tearful in the front room of Home Farm. Zoe walked in.)

Zoe: Did you get through?

Sadie: Yes, but he didn’t answer, and I think he has switched his phone off.

Zoe: You know Sadie it should be him apologising to you, not the other way round.

(Sadie sat down on the sofa and bit her nail thoughtfully. Zoe joined her.)

Sadie: Maybe I deserved it.

Zoe: Deserved a slap in the face?! How do you come to that conclusion?

Sadie: Well lets face it, I have to admit I have not exactly been the greatest wife ever.

Zoe: What do you mean Sadie?

Sadie: I lied to Jimmy for a whole year, I said that I had stopped taking my contraceptive injections, when in actual fact I hadn’t. He was trying for a baby and I wasn’t. It all came out and he and I have been sleeping in separate rooms for a while. He so badly wants to have children Zoe, but I don’t, and he hates me for it now.

Zoe: Sadie…I know what you did, was not exactly right, but you cannot blame him for being unhappy if you both want different things.

Sadie: I know, which is why he did something to me for revenge I suppose.

Zoe: What did he do?

Sadie: He cancelled the construction of our house and our dream home. He didn’t tell me about it until I found out giving me a taste of my own medicine. That’s what we were arguing about earlier when he slapped me.

(Zoe paused and mulled it over. Trying to make sense of it.)

Zoe: So he hit you during the argument about the house.

Sadie: Yes, I said that he was deteriorating physically and I said I wondered why I married him, and then said that he wasn’t man enough to father a child even if I stopped using contraceptives and the rest you know about.

Zoe: Jimmy hitting you was wrong, and I did hear what happened, you really were quite provoking there.

(Sadie looked at Zoe, somewhat stunned.)

Sadie: I thought you were meant to be on my side!

Zoe: It’s not about sides, or who is right or wrong. For what its worth, I like you both, but you are having real problems, surely there must be some way to overcome this?

Sadie: He wants a child, I don’t. I am not exactly sure how a couple compromises over something like that.

(Zoe looked on, uncertain on what to say next to cheer up Sadie.)

****

(Louise was sat in the back of the woolpack again, sipping a cup of coffee. Diane came into the room.)

Diane: There you are, I were wondering where you were hiding. Boy that Jimmy King is really putting them away tonight! I have never seen such…<br>
(Diane observed Louise’s facial expression.)

Diane: Oh by the way, there are some space aliens in the bar asking for some beverage that I cannot even begin to pronounce, much less heard of, perhaps you know it?

(Louise stirred a little.)

Louise: I’ll see to it in a minute.

(Diane sat next to Louise.)

Diane: Ok Louise, lets cut to the point, what’s wrong?

Louise: Nothing, everything is fine.

Diane: I don’t get it, for the past few weeks you have been literally glowing and all happy all the time, now, you are miserable, how did you get to this?

Louise: Oh…I got to tell someone, and I know I can trust you cant I?

Diane: Do I even need to answer that. Lou, you can trust me with anything for goodness sakes, when have I ever let you down?

(Louise took a deep breath.)

Louise: Ok, I think, no…I am certain that I am pregnant.

Diane: Pregnant?!

(Diane sat back and had to compose herself.)

Diane: I don’t understand, you haven’t been seeing anybody!

Louise: I have though.

Diane: Max King?! Louise, I thought you decided to call it a day, you said it was just a fling!

Louise: I thought I did, but, I don’t know Diane, I just couldn’t help it. I wanted to be with him, I know there is the age gap and all the rest of it, and that its not a practical relationship but I like how he is able to make me feel.

(Louise becomes emotional, she cries a little.)

Diane: Look I am not criticising you love or him, but, it’s a bit of a mess you can see that right?

Louise: Yeah.

Diane: Does he know?

Louise: Not yet.

Diane: I think you need to tell him, he has a right to know.

Louise: I will don’t worry.

****

[demigod]

(Matt walked downstairs in his cottage buttoning up his shirt and then he put on his jacket, Lydia the same, she too was in the process of rerobing herself.)

Lydia: So when do we break the good news to everyone then?

Matt: Soon love; I really want to savour this. Enjoy the moment, lets announce it to the family tomorrow morning, as everybody will be in the office then.

Lydia: Great idea.

(They kiss again and Matt squeezes her bum, she smiles coyly at him.)

Lydia: Careful Matthew, anymore of that and we may have to get dressed again!

Matt: You are bad!

Lydia: I know. You like me that way.

Matt: I certainly do. By the way, what about Steve?

Lydia: I’ll phone him later in the week, he has a bit of business to attend to for me.

Matt: Ok then. Well I am going back over to the office. I’ll see you later.

(They kiss goodbye. Matt leaves.)

Lydia: I cant wait!

****

(Louise and Diane were looking concerned in the direction of Chloe and Jimmy’s table, the flirting was outrageous.)

Diane: Looks like you’re not the only one that is receiving a bit of King attention then.

(Louise didn’t find the joke amusing.)

Diane: Sorry.

Louise: Its not you, I’m just thinking.

Diane: Think no more.

(Max walked into the pub, he accidentally brushed Edna.)

Max: Sorry Edna.

Edna: Its Mrs Birch to you Maxwell King! And, in future I would appreciate it if you would look where you are going.

Max: Sorry, the wind is strong out there; My mask is looser today because my face is a bit tender the wind moved my mask as you can see.

(Max fixed it properly back onto his face.)

Edna: In that case may I suggest that you remove that ghastly thing if it causes you such discomfort, maybe it will improve your vision too!

Max: Maybe if you took that hat off and allowed you brain to cool, you wouldn’t be such a hot head!

Edna: How dare you speak to me like that, don’t you know to respect your elders? I shall be informing Thomas King about you when I see him next.

Max: I was only joking! It was an accident. I said sorry!

Edna: I heard you. Now if you will excuse me, you are blocking my way.

(Max stepped his massive frame to one side and allowed Edna to pass, he shook his head and puffed in disbelief at his encounter with the firebrand known as Edna Birch. He walked up to the bar, Louise trotted over. And spoke to him to begin with as quietly as possible but loud enough to be heard.)

Louise: Boy am I glad to see you.

Max: Oh really?

Louise: Seriously Max you better get Jimmy home. Look at the state of him!

(Max looked at Jimmy in somewhat disbelief.)

Max: I’ll see what I can do.

(Max walked over to Jimmy and Chloe.)

Max: Hello Jimmy, finish that drink, then we are going home.

Chloe: But we were just having some fun.

Max: You can get home and all.

Chloe: You cant make me.

Max: Do you know what a p45 is?

Chloe: Yeah.

Max: Would you like one?

Chloe: Not really.

Max: Then clear off then!

(She looks at Jimmy.)

Jimmy: Id do what he says love, you don’t know my brother like I do.

(Chloe collects her stuff and leaves. The pub, she encounters Chastity on the way out, who just grins as the tipsy red head staggers past.)

Max: Jimmy, home!

Jimmy: I don’t want to!

Max: You have to.

Jimmy: I’m driving!

Max: I...think not!

(Max snatched the keys out of Jimmy’s hand. He then supported Jimmy’s weight and easily helped him out of the pub. He looked at Louise as he went by, she smiled weakly at him. Max took the drunken Jimmy outside as everybody stared on. Viv and Betty were at the bar watching.)

Viv: I wonder what made him want to get plastered and then sit and flirt with that trollop.

Betty: Maybe its got summit to do with him and that Mrs What’s her name King sleeping in different beds.

(Viv looked shocked and at the same time hungry for more.)

Viv: Separate beds. How do you know this and why?

Betty: Since I had me cleaning job up at Home Farm, apparently he snores terribly so she says, but I think its summit other than that if you ask me.

****

(Max struggled with Jimmy up the road till he saw Charity driving down into the village in Tom’s new Mercedes M-Class 4x4. Max waved her down. She pulled up next to the two King’s and wound down the passenger window.)

Charity: E by heck, look at the state of him! Wow, I can smell you from here.

Max: Yeah, try carrying him. Serious though, I am glad to see you. You couldn’t give us a ride back to Home Farm could you?

Charity: I suppose, hop in.

Max: Thanks…mum.

(Charity Spun round to the back seat where Jimmy had been shoved in by Max, who sported a silly grin on his face.)

Charity: What?!

Max: Well, the wedding draws ever nearer you are as good as aint you?

Charity: I suppose, but…<br>
Max: I was teasing you Charity. Relax…Now, homeward please my lady, because James is in no fit state to drive.

(Lydia watched in the street as the Mercedes pulled away, Charity waved to her as she went by, then Lydia opened her mobile phone and dialled.)

Lydia: Ah, Steve, I think its high time we put that business we talked about into action…very good…good…Right well, I cant wait to see the results!

(Lydia grinned slyly as she flipped the phone shut and walked back into the house.)

To be continued…

Next Time on...The Price Of Being A King

-Max faces up to one of the most daunting challenges of his life
-Sadie finds solace in the arms of another woman
-Tom and Charity kick their wedding plans into high gear
-Matt and Lydia announce they are living together to the family
-Chloe finally gets her hands on Jimmy
-and Debbie and Andy get caught by the last person they wanted to get caught by.

[irishgal]

nice work!

Sadie and the arms of another woman!!!! Steve & Lydia now what are they up to! Louise has a maternal instinct?

looking forward to more

irishgal

[tomking]

The Kings of Emmerdale (not in the surname terms) are Jimmy, Matt, Sadie and Tom.

[magenta635]

Another brilliant instalment, I am really intrigued to see what Lydia is up to and how Max will react to news of a baby. Fab!!!! ;D

[matthealyisfit]

Fab! What is lydia up to? got me intrigued! if matt ever needed a shoulder to cry on, i'll volunteer! lol

[cass]

Keeps getting better and better DG!

What will Max do when he finds out he's a father and Sadie with another woman WOW!
So looking forward to the next installment!

[demigod]

Not sure if this is up to my usual standard but here you go anyway...
-------------------------------------

Part 11

(Matt and Lydia were stood in a large field looking around, the wind whistling round them, Lydia bumped up against Matt getting closer to him.)

Lyida: So what do you think?

Matt: Not bad, if we can get it for the right price, this one is the best one so far though. We could put an office there a road there, some sort of function room there, perhaps a heated swimming pool there. This could be quite a goldmine, especially considering the tourism this place gets. If only the Tate’s had more sense when they ran that holiday park.

Lydia: There loss will be our gain, 50/50 all the way. We can make such a go of this place.

(Matt put his arm round her.)

Matt: We certainly can. Right, lets get back to the village we can call in the pub and I shall buy you a well deserved lunch.

Lydia: Sounds like a great idea!

****

(Jimmy rubbed his head strenuously, and squinted hard at the computer screen.)

Jimmy: Oh…Damn it all!

(Chloe walked into the office.)

Chloe: Someone’s in a bad mood.

Jimmy: Yeah, and that someone is me. This computer hates me, you know I am of half a mind to pick this thing up and throw it out the window!

Chloe: Don’t do that, let me take a look at it.

(Chloe walked over and leaned down to see the computer, leaning extremely close to him.)

Chloe: I see the problem, you must of accidentally pressed something to close the window, but luckily it was saved not too far before when you shut the program.

(She turned to him deliberately placing her lips and face close to his, Jimmy was surprised and pulled back a little.)

Chloe: I’ll just call it back up for you then.

Jimmy: Thanks.

Chloe: Don’t mention it, that’s why I am here, to help you out in any way I can.

(Chloe turned and walked back to her own desk by the filing cabinets Jimmy stared at her hips and bottom almost hypnotised by her beauty. He tried not to stare but he couldn’t help himself, she glanced over her shoulder and saw him looking she gave him a coy little smile.)

****

(Back at Home Farm, there was this almighty thumping coming from upstairs. Max appeared at the top of the stairs wrestling his way into the sweatshirt. He galumphed part of the way downstairs. As he came nearer the bottom he slid down the banister and came off just as he drew to the bottom of the rail. He landed with a noisy crash on the wooden floorboards, the impact too caused a vase on an end table nearby to wobble slightly. Sadie appeared from out of the front room.)

Sadie: Well well well. The rhino has finally come out of his lair.

Max: Hi Sade!

Sadie: You are in a good mood.

Max: Got reason to be.

Sadie: Care to expand on that?

Max: No.

Sadie: Right well, seeing as you don’t want to talk, I will do the talking, for starters, please remember you are not in student dorms anymore, this is a manor house not grotty digs, and secondly, the banister is there as a handrail not as a slide so you can get to the bottom quicker.

Max: Understood Mein Fuhrer, anything else?

Sadie: No.

Max: Cool, right see you later.

(Max just walked straight past Sadie and out of the house. His usual blue rubber mask partially concealed a wide smile from ear to ear. Sadie just shook her head and rolled her eyes.)

****

(Lydia and Matt were sat in the pub eating lunch, Steve Jordan, Lydia’s associate entered and walked over to her.)

Lydia: Steve? What are you doing here?

Matt: Hello again Steve, you’ll excuse me if I don’t shake your hand wont you?

Steve: Its about that business we discussed.

Lydia: Matt, excuse us for a moment, I’ll be back in a second.

(Lydia and Matt walked outside the pub, she looked less than pleased.)

Lydia: Well?!

Steve: Tonight I got everything in readiness, to give that punk kid the thrashing of his life. I just wanted to check to see if tonight is a good night.

Lydia: You could have phoned me!

Steve: I tried, I couldn’t get a response.

(Lydia reached into her handbag and pulled out her mobile phone. She looked at and shook her head.)

Lydia: No, because the battery is totally flat. Look, I don’t want Matt to see us together there can be no suspicions on us understood. Do the job and do it properly.

Steve: No problem, that kid it as good as dead, they may as well write his epitaph now.

(Lydia chuckled.)

Lydia: No doubt Sadie will organise the funeral. Get it done Steve, I am counting on you remember, that bitch is going to pay. Starting with her toy-boy!

(Steve walked off and Lydia rejoined Matt in the pub.)

Matt: What was that all about?

Lydia: Bit of a problem with one of my shops in Leeds, apparently there was a bit of a financial error the accountant picked up, turned out that the missing money was just stuck at the back of the safe. So it’s all cleared up. Steve is a good sort; if an employee only sneezes he comes and reports it to me.

(They both smiled and carried on with their dinner.)

****

(Tom sat in his chair at the office going over a piece of paper. Jimmy walked in.)

Jimmy: Dad are you ok?

Tom: Not really Jimmy. I just cant seem to get me head round this.

Jimmy: What is it?

Tom: Oh, its all to do with that council and that Ledbetter character, this bit of paper makes no sense to me at all, besides I got other things on my mind.

Jimmy: Such as?

Tom: A wedding for one, which draws ever nearer and is not being organised quick enough.

Jimmy: Well why don’t you leave me take care of all that and you can go and have words with Charity about the wedding.

Tom: You don’t mind?

Jimmy: Of course I don’t mind, don’t be stupid. You go and do what you need to do.

Tom: Thanks son, I think I will do just that.

(Tom put his coat on and walked out of the office. Jimmy snatched the bit of paper and put it on his desk, then strode over to Chloe.)

Jimmy: I’m glad he’s gone to tell you the truth. I think its high time, we had a little talk.

Chloe: About what?

Jimmy: I think you know what.

(Chloe got up opened the drawer of the filing cabinet and put a file into the middle drawer. Jimmy gave her bum a squeeze. She shot upright in one quick fluid motion.)

Chloe: What are you doing?!

Jimmy: I’m doing whatever I like because, that’s what you want isn’t it?

Chloe: I have no idea what you are on about.

Jimmy: You don’t find me an attractive proposition?

(Chloe paused and thought about it for a second.)

Chloe: Well, yes in a strange sort of way.

Jimmy: Of course you do! Girls like you are often attracted to money and prestige, and I have both, and you know it! So why don’t we just stop pretending and really get down to business huh?

Chloe: I have to warn you, I don’t conduct business delicately.

Jimmy: Neither do I.

(Jimmy and Chloe began kissing and pretty much mauling each other in the office.)

****

(Max walked into the pub and perched himself by the bar. Louise walked over to him.)

Max: I’ll have a pint please gorgeous.

Louise: Actually Max, I was hoping to have a word with you. Can we go somewhere to talk, its crowded in here and Viv and Betty are on that table over there so I don’t want to lead you round the back or tongues will wag.

Max: Sure, um…lemme think…the cricket pavilion would be a good place to meet up. I’ll go there ahead and you can follow me yeah?

Louise: Alright, lets do that.

(Max walked out of the pub and walked down the road in the direction of the cricket pavilion. He passed the King and Sons office and heard a thump of sorts, he walked up to the window and peeped in to see what the noise was, had he not of been wearing a mask his face would have been one of shock, but of expectance at the same time. He carried on towards the pavilion opting to not enter the office.)

****

[demigod]

(Sadie was sitting with a notebook and a wedding planner magazine she was jotting things down on the pad. Zoe entered the room.)

Zoe: Mind if I join you?

Sadie: Not at all.

Zoe: How are things with you and Jimmy?

Sadie: Still the same, I just don’t know what do make of him Zoe, I wish we were closer and that he desired me more. The way things are now, I just wish I was able to be closer to him. It’s been hard sleeping in separate rooms all this time.

Zoe: I can imagine. But I am not really the marrying type.

Sadie: I dare say life for you is a lot less complicated.

Zoe: Not really.

(Zoe leaned across and kissed Sadie, and in a brief moment of madness, Sadie kissed her back for a moment. Then Sadie pulled away.)

Sadie: I can’t…this is wrong.

Zoe: I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking straight.

Sadie: No, I was, Im just not like that.

Zoe: You’re very pretty Sadie, I just couldn’t help myself.

Sadie: So do you often prey on vulnerable women. I am married Zoe, and I do want my marriage to work in spite of what has happened.

Zoe: I’m sorry!

Sadie: Look I respect you and am grateful for you letting us stay but that doesn’t give you the right to just spring on me like that.

Zoe: I know, and I am sorry, lets just both forget it ever happened.

(Sadie stood up.)

Sadie: I think under the circumstances that would be best, yes.

(Sadie then left the front room, leaving a somewhat disappointed Zoe sitting on the sofa by herself.)

****

(Max was stood in front of the pavilion shivering slightly. He spotted Louise approaching. He stood and shivered patiently till she was near enough to him.)

Louise: Sorry, I got a bit delayed, but I’m here now.

Max: And high time too! I was very nearly frozen here.

(She and Max stepped inside the cricket pavilion. Max leaned in and the two kissed, Louise pulled away.)

Max: What?!

Louise: Max, I didn’t come her to get passionate with you, I have done enough of that already. We have something, very important to discuss.

Max: Like what?

Louise: To do with our relationship for one. We need to face a few facts.

Max: Oh I get it, you want to call it a day again so that we can get on with our own lives you have played with me long enough and now you want out. Is that it!? You called me all the way up here to this freezing shack because you want to tell me its finished between us!?

Louise: Max no, I brought you here because I needed to tell you that I’m pregnant!

(Max stopped dead in his tracks and looked stunned beyond sense. He slowly sat down in a chair that was there in the pavilion.)

Max: Pregnant…you are sure?

Louise: Completely, Max I am as pregnant as they come and I don’t know what to do.

****

(Jimmy and Chloe were dressing themselves again after their passionate encounter, not a moment too soon either as Lydia and Matt walked into the office arm in arm.)

Matt: Ah there you are.

Jimmy: Yeah, we were just working…on something. Is there something you want?

Matt: Actually we were just dropping by because we are going to get together up at Holdgate Farm later, the whole family.

Chloe: Sounds good.

Matt: Just the family…Can we count on you and Sadie to be there?

Jimmy: What about dad does he know?

Lydia: Yes we spoke to Tom and Charity earlier. They know.

Matt: I have rang Carl and told him, he is going to be there. I didn’t get hold of Max though, nor could we reach here. Where is our little brother anyway?

Jimmy: Don’t know, haven’t seen him all morning.

(A sly grin appeared on Lydia’s face after hearing that news.)

Matt: How come neither of you answered the phone here then?

Jimmy: We uh…we were busy and, uh, the office…lots to do.

Chloe: I was outside giving directions at the time, but I didn’t know the way very well, so Jimmy came out and he guided them properly, tourists or something.

(Jimmy’s face transformed to total relief.)

Matt: So you left the phones unattended? We could have lost valuable business because of you two. See to it that it doesn’t happen in future.

Jimmy: Hey! You cant talk to me like that, or her for that matter. Watch your mouth!

Matt: Alright Jimmy, no need to get all sensitive about it. We’ll see you later.

(Matt and Lydia walked out of the office. Jimmy walked over and stood next to Chloe.)

Jimmy: You handled that perfectly.

Chloe: See, I am more than just a pretty face.

****

(Max paced the pavilion much like a caged lion.)

Max: I don’t believe this. I thought you said that you were alright, the pill!

Louise: I must of screwed up I don’t know, I didn’t do this deliberately that’s for sure, getting pregnant by a man 15 years my junior, its not ideal for me either you know!

(Max went over to Louise and put an arm round her, he rubbed her hair back with his right hand.)

Max: I am sorry for shouting, but, it’s a lot to take in. I mean, I hoped and prayed that one day the chance to become a dad would come my way, but I never dreamed it would be like this. This is new ground to me Louise I have never been here before.

Louise: Neither have I, which is why I think I should have an abortion.

(Max released his grip on Louise and backed off from her slowly.)

Max: You what?

Louise: I don’t know what else to do for the best.

Max: Louise that is our baby you are talking about like that. Lets not be hasty, lets think about this.

Louise: What’s to think about? This is my decision. I don’t want this. You changed your tune quick haven’t you?

Max: Louise please, please God almighty, listen to me. I have a unique disadvantage over other men, my face is not pleasing on the eye, this may be my only chance to have a child of my own and to love it and be a father to it like my father was to me. I will do whatever it takes to make this work. Its not great I agree, but we have to try. I want to try.

Louise: I wish we could but how can we?

Max: Louise, in recent weeks my feelings have changed to you, I am not saying this now as a way of begging for you to not have an abortion, but because tonight I was going to take you out to dinner and I was going to tell you that I loved you. I may sound like a stupid kid now, but I don’t care because its how I feel, and you carrying my baby only tells me that I am right in the way I felt.

(Louise took Max by the hand.)

Louise: I don’t think you sound like a stupid kid. But if I have a baby, people are going to ask questions and they will wonder who is the father, and then our relationship will become public knowledge. I thought we wanted to keep us quiet.

Max: I don’t care. Like I said, I will do whatever it takes. If that means walking barefoot over broken glass, whatever, so be it! Besides, all this sneaking around is ridiculous, we are not doing anything illegal, ok, so it is not exactly socially acceptable, but its not wrong. Years ago being homosexual was something that was frowned upon, today it is accepted by most, attitudes are changing Louise, why not chance it, keep the baby.

Louise: I want to. But I just cant I am frightened.

Max: Look, I said I will do whatever it takes, I mean it. Louise, don’t get rid of the baby, have him, or her, and lets be parents together, I’ll stand by you and be there and support you and the kid, I swear on my mother’s grave I will not let you down.

Louise: I have no doubt that you wont, but the age gap, I am going to get old quicker than you.

Max: What does that matter? My life is ruined Louise, I wear this mask for a reason, to spare people looking me in the face, I have something special with you, and that is worth fighting for, its not ideal, maybe, but I love it and I want to hold on. I don’t want to lose you or that baby.

(Louise had become tearful by now, she stared at the floor.)

Louise: Do you mean that?

Max: Yes, oh God yes I mean it every single word. I won’t fail you or let you down, I promise.

Louise: Well, I guess we better consider buying a cot then.

Max: You mean that?

Louise: In for a penny in for a pound.

(Max and Louise hugged each other, and the young King lifted the barmaid off her feet and twirled her round happily.)

Louise: I think for the moment we should keep quiet and try and think of a way to break this news. Oh my God I cant believe I am doing this.

Max: Me either, it feels so crazy doesn’t it?

Louise: And the rest.

Max: Which is why I am confident it will all work out fine. For the moment though, lets keep quiet.

****

[demigod]

(Andy was in the barn unloading hay off the trailer into it, he paused for a moment and sniffed the air a little. He stopped and walked outside. He saw the light was on in the shed next to the barn and the door was ajar slightly. He walked in.)

Andy: Debbie?!

(Debbie was sat on a stool smoking a cigarette. She just casually looked over at Andy.)

Debbie: Yeah?

Andy: What are you doing?

Debbie: Uh…I’m having a fag. As if you couldn’t see.

Andy: Suppose Cain finds out? He’ll go spare. Besides you shouldn’t be smoking you’re not old enough and it’s bad for you.

Debbie: Listen to you Mr Healthy!

(She blew the smoke in his direction Andy just fanned it away with his hand.)

Debbie: And there you go again with that “not old enough rubbish” that everybody else gives me. So I’m too young to smoke, but Im old enough to have sex with you? Whatever… anyway, Im too young to buy fags yeah and I didn’t buy them I found them in my dads room, but there is no law that says I am too young to smoke them. So me doing this, is less wrong than having sex with you isn’t it?

Andy: You know what I mean.

Debbie: No I don’t Andy, more to the point I am not particularly bothered.

(She took one last puff then dropped it on the floor and stamped on it. She then walked past Andy and out of the storage shed.)

Andy: You cant leave that there! What if Cain finds it?

Debbie: Don’t be such a whiner. If you don’t like it, clean it up then.

(Andy just groaned, he lifted her cigarette butt off the floor took it outside and dropped it into the drain. Andy looked in angst over his feelings for Debbie as she walked off.)

****

(Max and Louise were walking into the pub, Matt appeared in the doorway.)

Matt: Would you mind giving me an explanation Max?

(Louise turned bright red and didn’t know where to look Max though while caught off balance and with his hand in the cookie jar so to speak, remained surprisingly cool.)

Max: An explanation about what?

Matt: About where you have been all day!

Max: Ah that…<br>
Louise: Excuse me gentlemen.

(Louise made her way past Matt and back into the pub.)

Max: I didn’t feel up to coming to work today, I had a few things to do.

Matt: You and me both, I been trying to ring you on the mobile all day I got no answer.

Max: I left it back at Home Farm, I clean forgot to take it with me.

Matt: Never mind, we want you at dad’s house tonight me and Lydia have an announcement to make to the family.

Max: Alright, no problem I’ll be there. See you later.

(Matt put an arm across the door to stop Max entering the pub.)

Matt: Where are you going?

Max: For a pint. Would you like one?

Matt: Pints? I think not, you are going back to the office to put in some hours fixing the problem with our website that’s what you can do.

(Max tutted and sighed.)

Max: Alright…well, that’s an emergency, hang on I’ll get right on it.

Matt: Good boy, earn your keep!

(Max retaliated on Matt with a V signed gesture and carried on towards the office. Louise and Diane were stood behind the bar, yet again looking as thick as thieves.)

Diane: Did you tell him?

Louise: Yeah.

Diane: And?

Louise: I think we should talk about this later, in the back.

Diane: Alright love.

****

(Sadie walked down the corridor of Home Farm and passed Zoe.)

Sadie: Zoe, is it true what you said earlier, that you found me attractive?

Zoe: Well, yes, but I thought we were going to let it drop, pretend it never happened.

Sadie: But it did happen.

(Sadie advanced on Zoe.)

Sadie: I think you liked it as well didn’t you? Perhaps we should try a repeat performance.

Zoe: But you are not gay Sadie, I don’t understand.

Sadie: You are gay, but that didn’t stop you having a relationship with Scott Windsor, lets just say I like to try new things.

(Sadie and Zoe kissed each other a little peck on the lips, they then kissed more venomously, but were stopped by the doorbell.)

Zoe: damn it.

Sadie: Oh God, its Lydia.

(Sadie moved and opened the door. Lydia stepped in.)

Sadie: Lydia, hi. What can I do for you?

Lydia: You are coming to the do at Holdgate aren’t you?

Sadie: Yes, Jimmy phoned and told me.

Lydia: Good, actually Sadie I was wondering if I could talk to you about something.

Sadie: Of course, is it important?

Lydia: Its about Tom.

Sadie: Right, go through into the lounge.

(Lydia walked into the lounge, Sadie turned to Zoe.)

Sadie: We can catch up later.

Zoe: I’ll look forward to it.

****

(Andy walked into the lounge with a mug of tea and placed it in front of Debbie on the coffee table. She lowered the magazine she was reading and looked at him with an eyebrow raised.)

Andy: It’s a mug of tea.

Debbie: That your idea of a piece offering?

Andy: Yeah, look I’m sorry for the way everything has turned out. But I really do wish we could be together, but you know it just aint practical.

Debbie: Isn’t it?

Andy: I’m sick of having to deny myself all the time, I’m fed up with being a loser.

Debbie: Prove it!

(Andy and Debbie began kissing on the sofa as the TV was on they did not hear Cain walk in who stood in disbelief at what he was seeing.)

****

(Louise and Diane took positions in the back room at the pub and Diane stared at her frankly.)

Diane: Well?

Louise: I told Max.

Diane: How did he take it?

Louise: I think overall he is thrilled at the idea of me being pregnant.

Diane: Thrilled? A twenty-one year old lad is thrilled at having a baby!? Now that is a new one.

Louise: I know its crazy isn’t it. Which is why, I have decided to keep the baby.

Diane: You have, should I congratulate you or be sorry for you?

Louise: Congratulations I think. We uh…have decided to try and do this together.

(Diane now did look shocked.)

Diane: Hang on, run that past me again Louise, because it sounded very much like you and him are planning on settling down together.

Louise: I think that is exactly what is planned.

Diane: So when are you going to announce this to the King family?

Louise: We have not thought about that.

Diane: I strongly recommend that you do. Louise, you know as well as I do, when you do start showing, you are going to be the hot topic of village gossip and people are going to ask questions as to whom the father is.

Louise: I know we have thought about it and for the moment we want to keep quiet like things calm down a bit at the moment. Max said the family are a bit tumultuous at the moment.

Diane: I guess, but you better do something fast. If you are happy with things, then I am happy for you as well.

Louise: Thanks Diane.

(Louise and Diane hugged each other.)

****