Nearly a month later it was Violet's birthday. She had assembled her family and close friends to her new house in the country to celebrate.

Whilst the large new build equipped with all the mod cons was impressive, Hyacinth was deeply upset there was no swimming pool or sauna. There was however room for a pony with ample fields and a lovely big garden.

With the party in full swing, Rose made her way over to Violet who was busy pouring out Champagne.

"Did you invite our Jack in the end?" She asked helping herself to the flute in Violet's hand.

"Of course I did. He said he would try and make it but his wife is poorly."

"I've still not met his family have you?"

"Not yet Our Rose. I was hoping to meet them today. I'm not sure if he's going to bring his kids. Francesca is the same age as our Lottie, so that would be nice."

Before Rose could ask if Hyacinth knew their newly discovered half brother had been invited, Mrs Bucket stormed into the kitchen.

"Well really Violet! I thought you had more sense?"

"Come again? Champagne Hyacinth?" She asked offering out a glass.

Hyacinth snatched the drink out of the redhead's hand and drank it in one big gulp.

"You've invited him. Violet how could you?!" Hyacinth shrieked sounding incredibly hurt.

"He's my brother, he's the same right as you to be here." Violet said smugly.

Following Violet's response part of Hyacinth wanted to leave there and then. However, her pride and curiosity got the better of her and she stayed.

She watched on disapprovingly as her sisters laughed and joked with Jack. Hyacinth was suspicious that he had attended the party alone. Despite claiming his wife and adult daughters were excited to meet their new family members.

Jack's behaviour hadn't gone unnoticed by Emmet either, he watched as Jack studied every ornament, every painting and wanted to know every detail of Violet's business affairs.

Not thinking too much of it he made his way to the garden where Rose was recombinant on a grey rattan chaise lounge. She budged up, allowing him to join her.

"Having a good time?" He asked.

"Yeah it's alright I just needed some air."

"And a cigarette." Emmet stated smelling smoke on her hair as he kissed the top of it.

"Yes alright but it's me first all day. I made Onslow give me a fag. I needed it after hearing Hyacinth bang on about Jack." Sighed Rose.

"What do you make of how he's behaved tonight?"

"Fine. He's done well to not retaliate to our Hyacinth. Why do you ask?"

"He just seems to be taking a keen interest in Violet's things, her business and I even overheard him asking Daisy about owning her own home. Do you think he's up to something?"

Rose giggled and took Emmet's hand. "Course he's not up to owt. His other father owned a successful grain business he left it all to him. He's just getting to know us again. That's all. Can we talk about something else now?"

Emmet took Rose's left hand and held it out, "Don't you think this hand is missing something? Particularly on the third finger?"

Once again Rose giggled, "Are you going to propose to me, without a ring?"

Emmet knew marriage wasn't particularly on Rose's mind. "Well, I'm just saying it would be nice if you were my wife and it would be more practical. I mean if anything were to happen..."

"Oh so you are asking for my hand in marriage as a mere practical arrangement not because you love me and want to shout it to the world?" Emmet couldn't tell if she was being serious or teasing.

"Well..." he stammered. "Of course I love you Rose, I just thought it would be a nice thing to do."

Rose raised an eyebrow, "Buy me a ring and I'll think about it." She smirked. "Just don't hold me responsible if our love life goes down t'lav."

Before Emmet could reply, Daisy came running out.

"You better come!" She panted. "I think there's going to be a fight!" She exclaimed once she had caught her breath.

The trio all went back indoors to find Hyacinth confronting Violet. The eldest sister was claiming she saw Jack place a valuable ornament in his pocket. Emmet's previous suspicions came back to surface of his mind.

However, when Violet had gone to look for the object d'art, it was where it had always been. On top of the grand fire place. Therefore, Violet accused Hyacinth of framing the brother.

Outraged, embarrassed and upset, Hyacinth announced she and Richard were leaving. Matty and Liz, who had received a lift with the couple also left.

Usually Emmet would have revelled in Hyacinth's misfortune and embarrassment. This time however, he actually felt sorry for her. Yes, everyone knew she had the motive to frame the man. She made it very clear she saw him as no part of her family and wanted her sisters to feel the same, but for Emmet there was also something odd about Jack.

...

"Do you really think Hyacinth would stoop that low and frame Jack?" Emmet asked once they got home.

"Not usually, but you've seen how angered she is by him. And you know what our Hyacinth is like when she can't get her own way." Rose said sinking into the settee and taking her very high shoes off.

"True, I just can't see Hyacinth doing something like that."

"Since when did you start defending my sister? You're usually the first to string her up."

"Only when she deserves it." He said pouring out two large brandies. "I don't know, something doesn't add up." He said, joining his partner on the sofa and handing her a brandy.

"Well we weren't there when it happened and we all know Hyacinth wants Jack out the way."

"True." Replied Emmet. What he wanted to say was he thought Jack wanted Hyacinth out of the way just as much. But he knew now wasn't the time to tell Rose about his suspicions.