A/N: Some of the dialogue in this chapter is from the episode aired 08/01/18.

...

January 2018

"Mr Tate?"

Lawrence White greeted the young man standing outside his house. He was surprised to see how young the buyer of Home Farm was. From the size of the offer Joseph Tate had put in, he'd expected someone older.

"Yes. Mr White?" Joe shook the older man's hand. "Pleased to meet you in person. I've got all the paperwork in the car..."

"Excellent." Lawrence followed Joe out to the flashy motor on the drive. The lawyers had already done most of the work. A quick sale had been essential. He read the documents that Joe handed him carefully before signing.

"I was surprised at your generous offer." Lawrence handed Joe the forms. "Not many people your age could afford a place like this..."

"Inherited wealth," Joe clarified. "I started my own business with it, of course..."

"And you'll be moving in with... family?"

Joe hesitated. "It's just me."

Lawrence didn't see why a man in his twenties would want to live on a huge estate by himself, but it was none of his concern.

"What about you?" Joe asked, leaning against the car. "Where will you be moving?"

"We're emigrating. Me, my two daughters and my grandson, Seb..." Lawrence stopped, not wanting to give too much away. If Robert Sugden found out they were taking his son away there would be hell to pay.

Joe nodded. "I emigrated myself once, with my aunt and my cousin. We moved to New Zealand, when I was ten."

"Really?" Lawrence looked at him curiously. "You don't have an accent."

"English boarding schools," he explained. "Anyway, when's the best day for me to move in?"

"Well, we'll be leaving on Thursday," Lawrence said. "Although I'd appreciate your discretion." He hesitated, curiosity getting the better of him. "If you don't mind my asking..."

"I know the place," Joseph explained. "When I was a kid."

"Wow. You won't need the guided tour then?"

"Just the keys and deeds." Joe straightened up.

"Good, okay, well I'll make sure everything's with my solicitor in time. Please, come in." Lawrence gestured to the front door. "Toast your new home."

"Pleasure." Joe turned and scanned the Home Farm land, remembering his childhood here, learning to ride a bike while his dad watched, playing alone in the woods, spending time with his Auntie Zoe. Yes, the Tates had been alright here. Until Charity had come along.

"Feels good to be back," he murmured to himself. A wicked smile spread across his face as he imagined the Dingles finding out who the new owner of Home Farm was. He turned and followed Mr White into his old home.