Rose came home that particular night to find her sister and brother-in-law still up. As usual Onslow was watching the television and Daisy was reading.

"There's been a few phone calls for you while you were out." Daisy said as her sister inspected herself in the mirror.

"I told Boris I was going out tonight." Rose replied lighting the cigarette Onslow had extracted from it's packet as she walked past his chair.

"It wasn't Boris."

"Who then?" Rose asked her sister.

"It was our Violet. She was very cagey. She seemed desperate to speak to you, she rang three times to see if you were home yet."

"Oh, 'appen she wants some relationship advice." She said collapsing into the armchair, inhaling from her stolen cigarette.

"Off you? She must be off her head." Onslow interjected, retrieving a new cigarette.

"Do you mind? Anyway she's on about divorcing that swine Bruce and I'm the only one round 'ere who's been divorced." Rose said, exhaling smoke.

"Ha, that's not something to be boasting about." Daisy added. "Violet said she will see you at Sheridan's birthday on Sat'day about it. Our Violet said you would know what it's about."

"Right," Rose said racking her brains as to what her sister could want, then it dawned on her. It would be what Violet always wanted Rose for, tranquillisers. "Oh I had forgotten about our Sheridan's birthday. I've not got time to get me nails done professionally. I broke most of them crawling out of that trench in the back garden Father pushed me into yesterday. I'll have to get another pair of false ones tomorrow. These I've got on now won't last."

"I've got to hand it to your dad, it was hilarious when he pushed you in that 'ole."

Rose just gave her brother-in-law a disapproving look as he and Daisy laughed.

"I wouldn't worry Rose, I don't think your Sheridan will be bothered about the state of your nails." Onslow continued.

"No but I don't think she's doing it for our Sheridan." Daisy replied to her husband. "She'll be doing it for Emmet, next door."

"Are you still seeing him our Rose?" Onslow asked, not looking up from his film.

"I was never seeing him as such. We came to an arrangement, that's all."

"Alright, I'll rephrase it. Are you still sleeping with 'im?"

"From time to time." She grinned, "just don't go broadcasting it. Emmet doesn't want it being made public."

"I should think the poor sod doesn't." Her brother-in-law sniggered, his eyes still transfixed on the television.

It was awkward when Emmet and Elizabeth arrived next door to help set up the party. Sheridan and Liz's daughter Gail had gone to pick up the cake and Hyacinth had her neighbours putting up tasteful banners and balloons.

"Who else is coming, Hyacinth?" Liz asked.

"Oh just you two and Gail of course. Violet and Bruce and of course Daddy will be here."

"What about Onslow, Daisy and Rose?" Emmet enquired. The thought of a few elicit moments with Rose was what was the only thing keeping him sane. The idea of today terrified him. Hyacinth looked appalled at Emmet's mention of the side of her family which caused her much embarrassment.

"Well of course Sheridan's aunts will be here. And I expect Onslow will stay... unfortunately." She replied looking around the room at the decor.

"Are any other of Sheridan's friends coming?"

"He's having a separate party for his friends at university, Elizabeth. No today is just an intimate affair. For family and cherished friends and neighbours." Hyacinth explained.

She didn't dare tell her that Sheridan didn't actually want his mother to make a fuss.

"Yes it worked out well Gail's back from New Zealand for work at the same time."

"Yes she and Sheridan were such good friends when they were adolescents." Hyacinth replied.

As if on queue Sheridan's lilac car pulled onto driveway and he and Gail exited the car. The latter was gingerly balancing the cake box as Sheridan got the door.

"We are back!" The boy called.

"Sheridan!" His mother called. "Did you get the cake dear? Now you haven't looked at it have you? It's a surprise for afternoon tea."

"No mummy, I haven't." He hated calling her 'mummy,' it was embarrassing at his age. But it kept his mother happy. He followed Gail to the kitchen and watched her place the cake box on the counter.

"Cheer up, it's your birthday." Liz's daughter (who was the spitting image of her mother), smiled.

"I'd rather be back at uni without the fuss. I wish I had a job in New Zealand." Sheridan sighed, desperate to escape the clutches of his overbearing mother. Still the cash handouts were nice.

"You'd miss your family. It's hard sometimes, I miss my mum a lot but with my dad working in Saudi, that doesn't feel any different.

"I just wish my mother would listen to me." Sheridan sighed.

"Does she listen to anyone?" Gail laughed. "Sorry, no offence."

"Oh non taken, it's true."

"Oh look it's the Mercedes. My sister Violet is here. You've met my sister Violet haven't you." They heard Hyacinth call from the lounge.

"Yes several times" the neighbours could be heard replying unenthusiastically.

"Sheridan! Your Aunt Violet is here, come and say hello."

He followed his mother to the door.

"Violet dear, how are you?" The self appointed hostess said, opening the door before Violet had chance to ring the doorbell.

"Is our Rose here yet?" Hyacinth's favourite sister asked as she took off her shoes and hurriedly made her way to the sitting room. Bypassing Sheridan altogether.

"Rose? No not yet." Hyacinth wasn't impressed that Violet had dismissed her, especially in favour of Rose.

"She is coming isn't she, our Hyacinth?" Desperation rung through the wealthy sister's voice.

"Yes, she should be. Violet why are you so eager to see Rose? You haven't even wished Sheridan a happy birthday."

"Sorry Sheridan, happy birthday." She said, feebly embracing her nephew who was stood in front of the door.

"Thank you Auntie Violet."

"Where's Bruce?" Hyacinth asked. "Are the children coming?

"Bruce is sulking, in the car. Lottie is at the villa in Ibiza and Stephen and Georgia are both working today. What time do you think our Rose will be here?"

"Soon, I would imagine Violet dear. But why are you wanting see Rose?"

"She's getting something for me that's all. Have you any sherry on the go? Don't let Bruce have any. Whatever you do, don't let the swine have a drink." She said sitting herself down in an armchair.

Emmet looked at his sister and rolled his eyes. Today was going to be fun. He thought the same as Violet, the sooner Rose turned up the better.

For the next half hour everyone sat in silence. With the exception of Bruce and Violet bickering and Richard constantly offering people drinks.

"At last!" Violet exclaimed when she heard a car exhaust backfire, followed by the Westminster chimes of the doorbell.

Emmet craned his neck so he could see out of the window. He needed to check along with Violet that Rose had actually turned up. Both were relieved to see the mini-skirt cladded Rose. She was stood unenthusiastically on the doorstep along with Daisy, Onslow and her elderly father.

Violet got up and dragged her little sister into Hyacinth's hallway the moment the door was open.

"Have you got them?" She whispered as she gruffly pulled Rose to one side. Daisy and Onslow were too busy trying to get Daddy's coat off to notice Violet's desperation to get Rose into the property.

"Good grief our Violet, will you let me get me shoes off first? Our Hyacinth will be having kittens if I mark her precious floor!" Rose said through gritted teeth.

"Sorry, have you got them our Rose?"

"Yes of course. I'm not stupid y'know!" The blonde replied as she took off her black stilettos and slung her faux fur coat over her arm.

Both Sheridan and Emmet were intrigued by Violet and Rose's conversation and shifty movements. They watched through the open living room door as the sisters disappeared down the hallway and exchanged glances over their shoulders. Rose finally extracted a packet from her handbag. Violet snatched the package out of Rose's hand and promptly made her way to the kitchen. Pushing her sister out of her way.

"Happy birthday our Sheridan. Rose said throwing herself at her nephew as she entered the living room "Our Daisy's got your present, its from all of us."

"Thank you." He smiled as he went to sit down next to Daisy and his Grandfather to open his present.

The next hour or so dragged for most of the guests, Violet got increasingly drunk as she argued with Bruce. Daddy fell asleep and Rose kept making 'come hither' eyes at Emmet from across the room. Then all of a sudden Violet erupted.

"That's it. I've had enough of your behaviour Bruce I want you out of the house the moment we get home!"

"Might I remind you who's money paid for the house?" He shouted in retaliation.

"But I'm the one left to pick up the pieces of the business when you are off on your funny business or with that tart of a secretary."

"Violet!" Hyacinth shrieked as she fiddled nervously with her pearls. "Don't be so awful to poor Bruce, especially at Sheridan's birthday party.

"Oh will you stop defending him Hyacinth! You even defended him when I told you about his kerb crawling!" Mrs Bouquet's younger sister cried. Her words starting slur slightly as the cocktail of alcohol and tranquillisers began taking effect.

Most of the guests looked shocked at the revelation.

"Oh so everyone knows about that do they?" Bruce growled in frustration.

"I didn't." Daisy replied innocently. "Did you know about this our Rose?"

Rose muttered something inaudible and looked to the floor.

"It was Rose who told me. It was her he was offering business too!" Violet cried and Emmet spat his coffee out in shock.

"Well look at her! It was an easy mistake to make." Bruce tried to reason. Onslow nodded in agreement.

"Excuse me, you swine! I was waiting at the bus stop for me bus. When I saw your car pull up I thought you knew it was me and was offering me a lift!"

"Ha! He was. Just not the kind of lift you were expecting." Violet interjected.

"When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me our Rose?"

"Oh, it was ages ago. It's a bit embarrassing our Daisy, when your brother-in-law mistakes you for a prostitute! It's not something you want to go broadcasting but I felt our Violet had a right to know."

"I'm with you Bruce, it was an easy mistake to make, if you ask me." Onslow chuckled and Daisy jabbed him in the ribs.

"Oh I'm not listening to anymore of this I'm getting a drink." Rose cried, flouncing out of the room as Hyacinth began shrieking.

Rose took a bottle of white wine from the fridge and slammed the fridge door shut. She then wrestled aggressively with the corkscrew. She gave up and ripped the emerging cork out with her teeth before spitting the disintegrating stopper onto the floor. Once the wine was open, she poured the liquid directly down her throat. Rose then pulled herself up onto the kitchen worktop and listened to her family row. She concluded from the slamming of the front door that Bruce had left without his now incoherent, hysterical wife.

Rose almost jumped when a familiar voice said, "Mind if I join you?"

"Emmet!" She said repressing her squeal of delight at the sight of him.

"Are all your family gatherings so explosive?" He asked pouring himself a glass of red wine. "Hyacinth's putting your sister to bed. She's in a right mess."

"Poor Violet. We don't have many family get-togethers." She replied taking another swig from the wine bottle.

"I can see why." Emmet said closing the kitchen door before standing opposite to where Rose was sitting. His eyes never left hers.

"It seems like a long time since we spent some quality time together." She said wrapping her 'friendly' legs around him. "How's your musical stuff going?"

"Well," he said, his heart rate increasing as Rose ran her fingers through his dark hair.

"I don't suppose you've had time to miss our little get-togethers?" She asked, grabbing his tie to pull him in closer.

"Well life hasn't been as exciting, I can tell you." He smiled before giving in to temptation and kissing her.

He had missed how he felt when with Rose, carefree and reckless. It was fair to say he had missed her, her delicious laugh, her sense of fun. He had even missed the scent of her over powering, cheap perfume and her stale cigarette smoke. Emmet had certainly missed the way she played his body like a finely tuned piano. She brought a breath of fresh air to his drab existence.

"Let's have a bit of fun then." Rose whispered into his ear as her hand wandered down his trousers. Without thinking he reciprocated by sliding his hand up her tight skirt and caressing the top of her thigh.

"Oh Emmet, I hope you aren't going to take advantage of me, in my sister's kitchen of all places." She giggled, feigning wide-eyed innocence.

"Not here, we best go next door. I'll make an excuse, give it a few minutes then follow me. God, I've missed this, Rose." Excitement was getting the better of Emmet Hawksworth and Rose could feel it.

She smirked before replying, "I'll see you in a minute then."

Emmet left the kitchen and announced he would be leaving the party as he had a headache. He told Liz he didn't need her to come with him and promised if he felt up to it he would return later to play the piano for when they all sang happy birthday to Sheridan.

"I'm going to the shop, I need fags." Rose announced shortly after. "As Onslow won't give me any of his, I best get me own. Before you say anything, no I won't smoke near the house, our Hyacinth." She didn't bother to wait for her sister's reply.

Rose brazenly tottered up to Emmet's front door and walked straight in, plumping her hair as she did so.

She found him waiting in the hallway.

"Hello stranger" she said, draping herself around him.

"We don't have much time." He said. "If Liz thinks I'm ill it's the perfect excuse for her and Gail to leave."

"Well you better take me then," she saucily replied.

Their passionate embrace led them into the living room. Rose stood by the piano, taking in the decor. She'd never been in his house before.

Then in the rushed moment of excitement they were caught up in, Rose found herself up against the wall, wrapping herself tightly around Emmet. Digging her fingernails into Emmet's shoulder as their weight shifted. Similar to their first encounter, it was hasty and loud but very much needed. The only difference was Emmet was more confident.

They slid to the floor in ecstasy.

"Oh wow" Emmet said.

"Don't tell me, you've never done it standing up before." She panted.

"Well have you?"

"More times than you've hot dinners, I wouldn't wonder."

Emmet felt a little inadequate at her remark, "I bet you've done it in all sorts of places."

"I've been slung out of many cinemas and kicked off no end off busses in my time, I can tell you."

"You must think I'm really boring and lousy at this sort of thing." Emmet said solemnly.

Sensing he was feeling inadequate, Rose flashed him a smile and kissed him on the cheek. "Don't be silly, that was fabulous. Just what I needed, dishy Emmet."

Emmet smiled, Rose had this way of making him feel enough even though he knew he must be the most inexperienced man she'd ever had sex with.

"Oh is that the time? I better get back to me nephew's birthday." She said reaching for her black lacy knickers. "Will I see you back over there?"

"Maybe, I'll give it a little while then see how I go. I can't bare the thought of Hyacinth singing at me!"

"Well I hope to see you later. And I look forward to our next 'encounter.' I take it you haven't pursued that woman you work with?"

"Caroline? Not yet, I still don't seem to be able to muster up the courage."

"Well never mind, you can always entertain me while you pluck up the courage." She winked, slipping her shoes and coat back on.

"Rose? What are you doing on Friday?" He asked impulsively as he escorted her to the door.

"Nothing much, I shouldn't expect. Why?"

"I've been booked for a recital in Manchester. They've organised a hotel, I was just wondering would you like to come with me?"

Rose beamed. "Oh Emmet, why yes of course, I'd love to come with you."

"Excellent, I'll meet you Friday, about 12 at the train station if that suits? We can get 12.20 train."

"Perfect, see you then if I don't see you later." She said kissing his cheek as she left the house.

Rose went round the back of her sister's house with the intention of having a crafty cigarette in the back garden. She saw Sheridan sat on the luxury garden bench which was positioned so the bird bath was in view.

"Room for a little one?" she said as she sat down, close to her nephew. "Cigarette?" she asked him, offering him the box.

Sheridan looked around cautiously before his aunt replied, "I won't tell your mum."

He smiled and took a cigarette. Rose lit it for him before she lit one for herself.

"Sorry if me and our Violet have spoiled your birthday party." She said feeling rather ashamed.

"Are you kidding? That was the highlight." He sighed deeply as he exhaled smoke.

"Tell me to mind my own business our Sheridan, but I get the impression you would rather be elsewhere." His unconventional aunt probed.

"Yes, I mean no. I mean I wish I could have invited him here."

"Who?"

"My. My.."

"Boyfriend." Rose interrupted, sensing her nephew's struggle to finish his sentence.

"However did you know, Auntie Rose?" Sheridan asked shocked that Rose knew what he was so desperate to say.

Reading the situation Rose put a comforting arm around him. "My dear Sheridan, I have a far grater experience of men than you could ever dream of. What's your fella's name?" She didn't think now was the appropriate time to say she, Daisy and Onslow had sussed he was gay years ago.

"Tarquin." He replied proudly. "He wanted to come today to meet you all but I said I didn't think it would be appropriate."

"Is it serious between you and this Tarquin?"

He nodded but didn't say anything.

"Does he make you happy?"

"Ever so, he's so kind and he takes care of me. I've never felt like this about anyone." Confessed her nephew.

"So what's the problem?" She asked playfully nudging him. She knew exactly what the problem was. "Our Hyacinth?"

"I don't know how to tell her. I've tried every time I phone but you know what she's like. She never listens."

"Have you spoken to your dad about it? He's a reasonable man. If anyone can get through to her it's Richard."

"Not in so many words. I think he knows but my relationship with him is strained because of it."

"In what way?" She asked, flicking her cigarette end over into the next garden. She made sure she didn't throw her discarded end onto Elizabeth's property.

"Tarquin is on at me all the time to meet them but to stall for time I distract him with presents, which of course I have to ask my mum and dad for the money to buy them. I think dad's had enough." He said, discarding his cigarette in the same direction his aunt had.

"Poor Richard. Your mum costs him a fortune as well."

Desperation rang through his voice. "What do you think I should do Auntie Rose?"

"Do you want me to talk to her about it?"

"Maybe. I don't know. I don't think she would be as understanding as you. Perhaps if, no it's asking too much."

"Try me," his aunt smiled.

"Maybe if you and dad met Tarquin first before I tell mum. Then you could tell her what he's like and that she's not to worry."

"Of course I would. You know me, always up to meet a new gentleman." She joked. Making her nephew laugh. "I'll talk to your dad after the party and see what he says. I just hope our Hyacinth doesn't see it as going behind her back." Sighed Rose.

"Thanks, Auntie Rose. It is such a relief to be able talk to someone about it."

"I'm always happy to chat, especially about men." She winked.

"Anyway, enough about me. What's going on with you and Gail's uncle?" Probed her nephew.

"Sheridan?! I have no idea what you are insinuating." She said falsely, dramatically putting her hand on her chest.

Sheridan giggled. "Well you've been making suggestive looks at him all afternoon. Then he dashes off. You aren't far behind, claiming you are going to buy cigarettes. Yet the only packet you have is battered and less than half full. You get back, your skirt is twisted, your hair is tousled, your cheeks are flushed and you have a fingernail missing."

"Are you sure it's sewing you are doing at that university and your not training to be a detective?" She asked, inspecting her nails to see that she had indeed lost one during her clinch with Emmet.

"It's advanced needle work and fashion design, actually. I've still got to tell mum I have dropped tapestry. So, what's going on with you two?"

Rose grinned. "Well if you must know and you promise not to tell your mother, we just meet up occasionally for the odd bit of fun."

"Ah I see. I didn't think you were the type of woman he would go out with. No offence."

She quickly changed the subject. "So how long are you home for?"

"Another week and a half, it's the Easter holidays. Actually can I ask you a favour Auntie Rose? And you promise not to tell my mum."

"My lips are sealed. What is it, our Sheridan?" Rose asked.

"We need a mature model for our fashion show at the end of the year. You have the perfect figure for the dress we've designed. You wouldn't be a model for our assessment would you?"

Rose was delighted at her nephew's offer. "Oh Sheridan of course I will!"

"You are the best! There is one more thing I want to ask you?" He tried and Rose sensed whatever he was about to ask was more sensitive.

"What is this, National Interrogation of Rose Day?"

He lowered his voice, "Why are you dealing drugs to Auntie Violet?"

Rose burst into a fit of giggles.

"I saw you two sneak off before you gave her what looked like a box of tablets. You should have seen her before you got here. She was so desperate to see you, she was on pins."

"I was right you are training to be an undercover detective. Your Auntie Violet gets very depressed what with Bruce being, well Bruce. She gets very down. More so than even I do about life and that's saying something. And just every now and again when they change your grandfather's tablets, I give Violet some of his old valiums. Just to help her take the edge off. Your Auntie Daisy thinks I take them back to the chemist. But I save them for Violet and keep a few back for meself. I don't ask her for money. Well, only very occasionally when I've bought them off a fella in the pub. That's only when she's been really desperate. Don't think bad of me. I'm just trying to help me sister."

Before he could tell his favourite Auntie he didn't think bad of her and actually thought she was rather cool, Hyacinth emerged from the kitchen. She clocked the packet of cigarettes resting on Rose's lap.

"Rose! I hope you aren't smoking in front of my Sheridan. You know how sensitive his chest is."

"Of course not Hyacinth, I'm going in now. I'll catch you later our Sheridan." She said winking at him.

"You've got a good kid there, our Hyacinth." Rose said getting up, straightening her skirt.

"I am well aware of that Rose, but thank you. Now hurry along inside. You will catch your death dressed like that out here."