Everyone was now in the garden, chatting and eating. It was a very sunny day and the atmosphere was relaxed. The thing that Russ liked the most was that Henrik was getting on with everyone and didn't need to be standing next to him all the time.

The side gate to the garden opened and Tony, Pat and a very grumpy looking Jack walked in. Russ welcomed them with open arms.

"Sorry we are late Russ." Tony apologised as he gave Russ a hug.

"No need to apologise." Russ then gave Pat a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Russ got to Jack and held out his arms. Jack gave him a look. "I'm too old for hugs."

"Never to old for a hug Jack." Russ replied.

"Ignore him, he's in a snot because he couldn't have his own way." Tony said apologetically.

"Well Jack, I was going to say, if I get a hug you can have one of my special beers."

Jack considered this for a moment. "Can I mum?"

Pat nodded, "Well it's OK by me. But you gotta give Russ a hug first."

Jack smiled. He went in to hug Russ.

"See that wasn't so bad was it?"

"Suppose not." Jack gave a little smile.

Russ nodded his head to the side. "Go and see Billie, she knows where I keep my special beers."

Jack ran off down the garden shouting for Billie.

Henrik was just coming out of the conservatory and Russ waved him over.

Henrik walked over glass in hand. "Henrik this is my cousin Tony and his wife Pat, guys this is Henrik."

Henrik held out his hand to Tony. "The infamous Henrik we have heard so much about. Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine." Henrik turned to Pat and shook her hand. "I believe I have young Jack to meet."

"Ah yes, get ready for Jack." Pat quipped. "How are you with the Spanish inquisition?"

"Well I'm sure we will find out." Henrik replied.

Jack came along. He had a bottle of lager in one had and a book tucked under his other arm. He was noticeably more cheerful now. "I got my beer Russell, look." Jack held up his drink. It was a Becks blue. They had tried him on real alcohol a few times, after all he was twenty, but it just did not agree with him. This was the perfect alternative.

Jack then turned to Henrik. "You must be Henrik because you are the only person here I don't know."

Henrik nodded and held out his hand for Jack to shake. Jack looked at Henrik's gesture and shook his head slightly. "I need to get to know you first Henrik."

"Absolutely no problem."

Tony, Pat and Russ exchanged looks knowing what was coming.

"So, Henrik Hanssen. Is that Scandinavian?"

"Yes. Swedish." Henrik replied politely.

"You don't look or sound very Swedish." Jack observed.

"Jack!" Pat berated Jack for his bluntness. "So sorry Henrik."

"Sorry mum but it's true. He doesn't have blond hair or blue eyes and he doesn't have an accent. He sounds very posh."

Henrik laughed, "I went to a private school here in the UK when I was a boy."

Jack took in this information and continued his fact finding mission.

"Henrik, what kind of music do you like?"

"Ah well I like all genre's, but I do like classical music."

"Me too. I like Andre Rieu. I have all his DVD's." Jack said excitedly.

Henrik smiled. "He is wonderful live. I've seen him twice."

"Really! Wow. Next time you go can you take me. Russell can come too."

"Jack, that's a bit presumptuous of you." Tony laughed.

Henrik waved his hand in dismissal. "That's quite alright. I am sure we can sort something out next time he is touring."

Jack smiled. "So next question. What is your favourite food?"

Henrik laughed. "My favourite is a Swedish delicacy called Surstromming."

Jack looked perplexed. "What's that?"

"Well it's fermented herring."

"That sounds disgusting Henrik." Jack pulled a face.

"It is an acquired taste I grant you." Henrik laughed.

"So Henrik I have decided that I like you. I can be friends with you, if that's OK with my mum and dad."

Tony smiled. "Of course son."

Jack laughed. "Yes! New friend. I can shake your hand now." Jack held out his hand for Henrik to shake and Henrik obliged. "Now I have two final questions. These are important because it could be the difference between friend and best friend."

"I see. Well in that case you better ask those questions."

Russ, Tony and Pat all looked on in amusement. Jack rarely took to strangers so quickly. Nobody had ever reached the two important questions so swiftly.

"OK . So first important question. Do you know how to play chess?"

Henrik smiled broadly. "Yes. I can play all the classics. Chess, draughts, backgammon, Othello."

"Othello? Not heard of that one. Maybe you can teach me."

"Well yes. I would like that very much." Henrik said this with sincerity.

"So my second question, and this is super important OK, so I'm just going to ask it. Do you like Doctor Who?"

Henrik laughed. "Classic Doctor or new Doctor?"

"All. But it would be helpful to know your favourite Doctor."

Henrik had a big sigh. "So we have William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. Oh and not forgetting the War Doctor John Hurt."

Jack was visibly impressed.

"So my favourite 'old' Doctor is Peter Davison. But my favourite series was 'Trial of a Time Lord.'"

"Colin Baker!" Jack was excited that Henrik was a 'whovian'.

Pat thought Henrik may need break from the interrogation. "Jack, why don't you go and see Auntie Vee and ask her for a plate. She knows the foods you can and can't eat."

"Yeah but..."

"Yeah but nothing Mister. We are all going to eat soon."

"Can Henrik come with me and we can sit together?"

Pat laughed. "I'm sure if you ask Henrik he will come with you."

Jack reached out for Henrik's hand. "Come on Henrik. Auntie Vee does really nice food."

"Now Jack that wasn't asking was it?"

"Sorry mum. Henrik Do you want to get food? Russell you can come too if you want."

Russ laughed. "I'm coming matey."

The three of them walked off towards the food. Tony had a good feeling about Henrik. Russ seemed happy and Jack made a friend for life. He looked at Pat as they silently acknowledged that this was a good day.

The five of them sat and ate lunch. Billie came over with Denver and Jack made a big fuss over his 'little mate', as he calls him.

Henrik went into the house as he needed to check his emails. Russ went looking for him about 20 minutes later.

"Henny, I've been sent to find you."

Henrik smiled. "I apologise just needed to deal with a few things."

"That's fine. But someone... wants a game of chess with their new best mate."

Henrik closed the emails on his phone

"Tell me where to find the board and I'll be out shortly."

"Russell where is Henrik?" Jack enquired.

"Good question. I sent him to fetch the chess set. Shall I go an find him do you think?" Russ replied.

Jack nodded enthusiastically. Russ gave him a thumbs up and headed off to the house.

As Russ entered the spare room he could see that Henrik was scanning the shelves for the chess set. "Hello you. I've been sent to find you."

"Oh I see."

Russ came up behind Henrik and placed his hand on Henrik's waist as reached around him to grab the chess board.

Russ then sat on the bed and patted the space next to him for Henrik to sit.

Henrik sat and turned towards Russ. "Are you OK Russ?"

Russ put his hand on Henrik's thigh. "I just wanted a minute with you, just us." He smiled. "It's going really well downstairs. Everyone seems to like you. Jack has taken a particular shine to you." Russ smiled and leaned in to kiss Henrik. He gave Henrik's leg a squeeze.

"Now, now Mr Faber... save it for later."

Russ flashed a cheeky smile. "Promise?"

Henrik gave a nod as he stood up.

As they came down the stairs Henrik went outside to find Jack. As Russ passed through the kitchen Billie stopped him in his tracks. "So what have you too been up to upstairs?" She gives Russ a sly look.

"We would need more than 10 minutes to get up to anything." He gives Billie a wink.

"Yuk! TMI dad!" Billie mimed throwing up.

Russ walked off laughing. He was having a wonderful time.