Friday, 9th July 1999

The food poisoning incident continues to rumble on and it seems that Ron and Anth have had to cancel their honeymoon in (on?) Lake Windermere (wasn't that where they've just returned from following the hiking break?).

Somebody apparently, has alerted the Environmental Health Department to the scare and an inspector is working his way round any of the local food outlets which could potentially, be the source of the outbreak. Surprisingly, perhaps, word of the inspection *hasn't* spread like wildfire as you might have expected, such that until the fatal knock on the door of the chippy, Sinbad isn't any the wiser as to the impending visit.

And do we see the inspector on his rounds? Do we heck! The first sighting is of someone sitting in his car, biding his time and reading a football programme. If I mention that it's a Wrexham FC programme, then the seed of recognition may be sown...

Biding his time, he may have been, for he pounces on the chippy just as Sinbad is closing up. There is a knock on the shop door and Tim, alone in the shop with Sinbad, gets the shock of his life as he sees the larger than life figure of the mysterious Mr Moore standing outside. "Can't you read? We're clo..." begins Tim, stopping suddenly when he realises who it is on the other side of the door. No doubt, you've guessed that Mr Moore then reveals himself to be the pie inspector and sets about meticulously cataloguing samples of the fare. Interesting too, to note that he uses the same little plastic bags for his work as he does for his own packed lunches!

Back on the Close, Katrina pleaded with Susannah for the night off so that she could go out with Nikki and cheer her up following the end of the court case. Suse agreed providing that Katrina would arrange for Jessie to babysit the kids. This could have been quite an ordeal for Katrina, since we were reminded that she and Jessie had fallen out and were not on speaking terms (this was following Harry toppling from his cot and was so long ago that I'd completely forgotten!). Anyway, the two of them met, by chance, outside the garage, buried the hatchet and the arrangement was made.

Over at the bungalow, Margi Shaddi has indeed swanned off to Brussels as she had promised/threatened, thus leaving Greg on his own again for a few nights. It doesn't take him long to decide how best to utilise this free time and Susannah quickly arranges to free herself from her responsibilities at the restaurant by getting Jacqui Dixon to cover for her.

This late decision meant that Jessie's babysitting services were no longer required and Susannah asked Katrina to phone Jessie and cancel. Katrina tried to call a couple of times but there was no answer. Preoccupied with other things, Katrina allowed this task to slip from her mind.

Over at the parade, the new yuppie crowd (a member of which, Jacqui Dixon, increasingly seems to see herself) have broken into pairs - Jacqui and Nathan have gone clay pigeon shooting, whilst Doctor Darren finally gets a chance to keep his promise to Mark and tries to convince Vic that she should give him (yet) another chance. Vic, however, isn't going to be swayed - she explains to Darren that following the skirmishes with Mark she intends to limit herself 'liking' men, only, for a long time and doesn't wish to get involved with someone else. This puts Darren's other motive on hold somewhat, since we all know what he really wants to say to Vic!

At Brookie Comp, Mr Howard has summoned Matt and Bosko to explain their illegal use of a school PC to run a 'Disciples of Shad' web-site. Insisting that their activities amount to nothing short of theft (e.g. use of school leccy and phone line), he proudly informs them that he, personally, has deleted the web-site in question, in it's entirety. Not wishing to stop there, he also advises the boys that they are expelled with immediate effect.

Question One: Presumably Matt was traced via the correspondence address on the web-site, but unless Bosko's name was quoted too, how come *both* Matt and Bosko were summoned rather than just Matt (initially at least)? Question Two: Just what is Bosko's real name? It was rather odd to hear the Head refer to him as Bosko!

With time on their hands, no web-site and a fistful of cheques which couldn't be cashed (because they have no stock - the German birds nicked it all at Glastonbury, remember?), Matt and Bosko had to break the latest bad news to Jerome who is still gagging for the return of his investment. "Well, the Stones of Shad didn't predict this, did they?" comments Leo, stating the obvious.

At number seven, the evening's antics are in full swing. With various articles of clothing casually littering the living room floor, Greg has decided to break off for a quick shower (a cold one, maybe?). Whilst he's out of the way, there's the sound of a key in the front door. Seconds later, the un-cancelled babysitter walks in, totally unprepared for the scene which greets her. Mind you, if she was surprised to see Susannah in a state of undress, pouring *two* glasses of wine, then she was certainly not ready for the scene which followed, involving Greg charging down the stairs and into the living room wearing nothing more than a towel!

"Mother, this isn't what you think", he cries, in the forlorn hope of diffusing the situation.

"Ugh!" sighs Susannah, whilst Jessie just stands there open-mouthed.

So that'll be alright, then!