Morningstar Manor

Today was the day they had to clear the Square ready for the staging and marquees to be put up tomorrow. Now the Square was safe there were fewer volunteers to do the work but but those who did come were very effective.

Currently they were litter picking - a much easier job than at one time when rolls of carpet and old sofas and mattresses had needed to be moved - and one that allowed a bit of dreaming. Charlie's thoughts were fairly evenly divided between delight in Deacon and Nia, anxiety about organising the 'knotting' in October and sadness at the news of the death of Barry Flanagan, whose work he had always loved.

Finishing his sweep, he looked at his own hare in his own window and smiled, tied up the bag and began another section.

While she was walking home today, Erin realized that there was a flaw in her birthday plans. If she and Niles were going to go on a road trip, then she'd have to do some sweet talking and convince him that Piglet was appropriate to take. She didn't have a car of her own here.

Her hair was still damp from her shower when she knocked on his door, hoping he was home.

Robert hurried to the Slaughtered Lamb from the sudden rain shower outside. He was a regular in the pub already and had gotten to like the place, so once again he appeared for his usual pint of Guinness in the evening. He brushed his black now damp hair back as he came in and shrugged off his leather jacket holding it so that it wouldn't sprinkle water on anyone else. Robert made his way through to the counter and sat down on a vacant stool to wait for the bartender.

*

"I see Charlie didn't manage to break your nose," Joy said looking up at Thomas who gave a frustrated sigh - his face looked normal again without a trace of last Saturday's events. "Maybe you need another one right on it, would serve you right."

"You know what?" Thomas snarled back. "Forget about the bloody espresso and go shove your head to the bin instead. I bet that's where you sleep at nights anyway."

He turned away from the Mocha counter before Joy could say anything back. He walked to the door leading to the Gardens and took a few steps out. He remained under the canopy watching the rain fall into the gardens, and searched his pockets for the cigarettes and the lighter.

*

Lucas was in the games room playing a lonely game of pool against himself while he waited for his laundry washing next door. He was on a good mood - his new job at the Flamingo felt great even though he had to wear a suit, and he had gotten Emma's phone number last weekend and even made her agree to go out with him. As a big plus his uncle had been quieter than usual since the wedding which made his life a lot easier. So the happy punk was whistling and humming to himself feeling very pleased with how things were at the moment.