Holly Sundale stopped inside the garage of the recording studio and turned off the car engine. She could sense something was wrong with Josh Hallow, she had felt it since she picked him up from his house. On the journey over to the studio she had remained silent, not wanting to push him into telling her what was wrong. Now, sitting in the car with him and still nothing being said, she knew she had to reach out to him and offer her advice or comfort (maybe both) unless he think she was being uncaring. "Is everything okay?" she asked him. Josh turned to her, seeming to snap out of whatever trance he was in. "Oh, yeah I'm okay." "Are you sure?" she pushed. "You seem distant."

"Well, I've just been trying to make up my mind about something. I'll tell you about it later. You have to get to school anyway," he told her. "Just remember I'm here for you, okay?" she comforted. "Yeah, okay. Thanks." Josh got out of the car and headed for the stairs. Holly watched him go, feeling slightly strange about how he was acting. Could she have done something to hurt him? She really couldn't think of a single incident that would make him be so down. Knowing there was nothing more she could do, she reversed an headed for home to change ready for school.

Carol Manson returned from the hardware store with some paint and a new ladder. Since becoming Mayor a month ago, she had set out to revamp the Town Hall and make it a place to be proud of. The walls were too dark and the floors in need a stripping, so she had set to work and brightened the whole place up. The public areas were now complete, and the only job she needed to finish was the offices of her new employees. One of her other tasks was to clean out the clutter of old employees who were well past their use-by-date. She hated to let some of the older people go, but she also knew that if the town was to survive, it needed some fresh blood to help pump it's decaying heart. As she entered the Hall, she noticed Tim Rons standing in the

meeting hall. He seemed to be staring off into some distance place that only he had access to, and as she watched from the doorway she noticed he seemed a little upset. "Tim?" she said softly, not wanting to startle him. "Oh, Carol. Sorry, I didn't notice you there." "Are you okay, Tim? You were staring off into the sunset." Tim grinned. "Yeah, I'm okay. Well, my daughter announced last night she was leaving for Paris with a few of her College friends. My wife and I are still getting used to the news." "How long will she be gone?" "About a year. I hope she has fun, but it will be the longest we have ever been apart and we both will miss her dreadfully," he answered. "She's probably going to find herself. A lot of young adults her age do it. Don't worry about her too much though, she is a big girl. From what you've told me, she seems to be level headed and strong. She'll do fine." Tim seemed to relax a little. "Your right. I know I'm just being selfish. She deserves to get away and see the world, or at least see Paris." "Your not being selfish. I know if I had a child, I would feel the same way," Carol reassured. "Thanks, Carol. You've really helped." "Me? I did nothing," she giggled. "Do you want to help me with the painting?" Tim nodded. "Sure."

"So that's two salmon tartlets, one chicken and one tomato and bazil pasta?" the waitress confirmed. "Please," Sophie Snowstep agreed. Dawn Sundale, Sophie Snowstep, Toffee England and Roz Tillville gathered at The Kingdom's Eatery for lunch. They had all neglected each other for so long that it was time they got together and caught up. Not only was it a lovely spring day, hot enough for it to be early summer, but it was the ony day the girls could all take a morning off from work and get together. Dawn had yet to return to the force, she had been busy with her daughters problems and had taken extended leave. Sophie's film was due out in a month's time, so fitting the girls in before promotion started was a must. Toffee and Roz were both taking it easy with work, each of them looking out for a new venture to delve into. Yes, this was the perfect day for a get together. "How's Poppy doing?" Toffee asked Dawn. "Well. She's remembered everything and is even back in school." "That's really great. I couldn't believe that happened to her. It makes you wonder what kind of a world we live in," Sophie said. "I'm just glad Poppy is okay," Dawn told them. "What about you, Sophie? How is fame treating you?" Toffee inquired. "Not at all like I remember. I was walking down the street and two girls came over and started screaming something about looking forward to me new movie and they couldn't believe I was coming back into the public eye. It was pretty scary, around here everyone knows me for being me and not only for my movies. It's strange being approached for some other reason than to be asked for the time." "So are you happy being back?" Dawn asked. "Sure! I love it, but it's just not like it used to be. I felt old around all those younger actors." "Your not old! Your only thirty-six," Toffee pointed out. "Other than me, the oldest other actor was twenty-six." "Your just as beautiful and talented as they are," Toffee comforted Sophie. "Thanks. Anyway..." Sophie said, wanting to move on from her age. "Roz, are you okay?" "Ugh?" Roz looked up from the table. "Sorry, I was in a world of my own." "What's up honey?" Toffee asked. "Nothing. I'm just thinking about work, that's all. I'll focus." Their food soon came. The smells were wonderful, and each of the girl were unable to control themselves. They got stuck in, hardly stopped to talk. It was like this would be their last meal, and they were going to enjoy every bite. The girls carried on talking, catching up on everything else that had happened. They were all glad that they had taken the time to catch up, and they all hoped they would be able to do it again soon.