Ned Farnby was drunk. Very drunk. He knew it, his mates had known it and the barkeep of the Drover's Arms had known it and thrown him out, he'd dealt with a drunk Ned before now. Ned was one of the kindest, gentlest men in Darrowby; he could barely bring himself to kick a rat. Unless the drink was on him. Then Ned performed a remarkable Jekyll and Hyde transformation to become a raving, frothing madman, spoiling for a fight with anyone and everyone. His large build and muscles built up through years of heavy labour meant he rarely lost either. He always felt tremendously guilty about it afterwards of course, but at the time nothing could hold him back. And right now Ned was staggering down the streets of Darrowby looking for more drink, a woman or a fight. He clung to a fence post and peered ahead. A figure was making its way towards him, walking quickly through the cold night air. Ned felt his lips stretch into a grin. Finally, a chance to have some fun!

Back at Skeldale house James was listening to the Farnon brother's usual bickering with an air of resigned amusement. Helen sat beside him on the sofa, calmly repairing one of his torn shirts. Tristan was sprawled in the deep armchair across the room, scowling at Siegfried who was pacing back and forth in front of the fire.

"It's no good Tristan! This can't go on!"

"It was hardly my fault Siegfried!"

"It was entirely your fault Tristan. This whole mess is your fault!"

"How? I mean, I haven't actually done anything here!"

"You didn't need to Tristan! Your reputation is already sufficiently well established to cause the damage!"

"I never went near Tamfern's daughter!"

"That doesn't matter Tristan! He thinks you have been and as a result we may be about to lose a valuable customer!"

"She's fifteen Siegfried! I haven't touched her!"

"I know you haven't! Deplorable as your behaviour usually is, you do have some standards and limits."

"Thanks." Tristan said grumpily.

"But the fact remains, he thinks you are the guilty party, she won't say different in order to protect the real guilty party and therefore we might lose a customer!"

"I still don't see how this is my fault."

"Well, perhaps if you'd exercised a little more restraint in your time, not gone chasing after anything pretty in a skirt, you wouldn't be the first person Tamfern thinks of when he finds his daughter's been having illicit meetings with a boy!"

"But I haven't- "

"I know you haven't! But we have no way of convincing Tamfern of that without the girl's co-operation!"

"She's been seeing Horner, you know; Bob Hilldon's new worker."

"How could you possibly know that?"

Tristan smirked smugly.

"The Drover's is full of it. Now if only Tamfern would loosen up and have a drink every now and then he might find out the truth instead of leaping to erroneous conclusions."

"Idle gossip and speculation!"

"Mmm. True though."

Siegfried paused in his pacing and frowned thoughtfully.

"Are you certain?"

"Straight from the Horner's mouth."

"Well. That does open up certain possibilities. If we can get Horner to talk to Tamfern…He's a steady lad and Tamfern's usually a reasonable man…they should be able to work something out."

"Without losing you a client?"

"Precisely! Or landing you with a good horsewhipping either!"

"I never went near the ruddy girl." Tris sighed. He pushed himself up from the chair. "I'm going to the Drover's."

"Your liver won't thank you."

"My hide might. If it hadn't been for my 'idle gossip and speculation' at the Drover's you'd still have the dilemma of Tamfern to deal with wouldn't you?"

"True. Don't stay out too late; I shall need you tomorrow, busy day."

"Do I ever?" Ignoring Siegfried's snort of disbelief the younger Farnon turned to the sofa. "Coming for a pint or two James?"

"Not tonight Tris. You enjoy yourself."

"Suit yourself. Night all!" He strode into the hallway, collected his coat and walked out.

The night air was crisp and chilled, the stars clearly visible in the sky. Tristan's breath fogged up at the low temperatures. He turned away from Skeldale house and began to stroll towards his favourite pub. It was cold, but the night was calm and surprisingly beautiful, walking would be fine. Besides, he didn't fancy James' tyres on the icy roads and he certainly didn't dare touch the Rover. Not after last time! There was plenty of moonlight to see by and Tris stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked.

He was just nearing the pub when he heard a sudden commotion, shouting and swearing. Slowing his pace, Tristan looked down a side street and saw a hulking shape pulling on a woman's arm.

"Let go of me!"

"C'mon darhling, jush a lil' kissss?"

"No! Get off!"

"Hey!" Tristan shouted, haring down towards the struggling couple. "Leave her alone!" Surprised at the interruption the man released his victim, who took to her heels and raced away into the night. Tristan saw her go with a sense of relief that quickly faded when the farm labourer turned to him. Tristan was suddenly acutely aware of his own relatively slim build and complete lack of fighting experience. He took a cautious step back.

"Who 'r you?" Ned slurred, swaying slightly. He scowled darkly. "Trissan? Who d'you thin' you are!?" Tristan took another step back.

"Now Ned, calm down…"

"Bloody interferin' vet!"

"Don't be hasty Ned…"

"What d'ye mean. Stickin yer nose into, into what don't conshurn you!"

"I was just making sure you didn't do anything you might regret Ned. That's all!"

"You bloody bastard!" Ned lunged for Tristan's neck. Tristan leapt backwards in fright, narrowly avoiding the spade like hands. He spun around to run back to the main street but Ned's bulk slammed into him before he could take a single step. They crashed painfully to the floor, Tristan banging his chin hard against the cobbles. He frantically pulled himself loose and tried to escape again but felt Ned's huge hands close around his upper arm. Tristan jerked a knee up sharply into Ned's groin and the big man released him with an oath.

"Stop it Ned! Just drop it!"

"Shurrup!" Ned grabbed the shorter blond and shook him violently. Tristan cried out in surprised pain. This seemed to infuriate Ned who threw him back down onto the road and kicked him twice in the ribs. Tristan curled up protectively with a groan. He saw Ned raising a half brick he'd picked up from the ground, saw it come crashing down towards his skull and then everything went dark with a sudden terrifying abruptness.

James was peacefully eating his breakfast when Siegfried stormed down the stairs with a face like thunder. He raised a cautious eyebrow.

"Good morning Siegfried."

"Not for Tristan it won't be when I find him!" The elder Farnon served himself some breakfast and grabbed the newspaper. He didn't open it to start reading though, instead using it to gesture with as he ranted.

"Bed not slept in, hasn't been back all night. Little idiot's probably passed out in some pub somewhere."

"Well, he can't be sleeping in the car again; he'd have frozen to death in this weather!"

"He'll come swanning in in a few hours no doubt, with a hangover and a thousand excuses. Well it's not good enough! I'm going to have to put off my visits to look after morning surgery. Can you go up to Barney's? I promised I'd see him first thing in the morning and now I can't."

"Of course Siegfried." Siegfried grunted in acknowledgement. James finished his breakfast hurriedly and set off on his rounds, giving Helen a kiss on the cheek as he left.

Siegfried was in the surgery. It had been quiet today; the icy roads meaning people were staying indoors rather than risk the treacherous walk to the vets office except in dire emergency. He was using the opportunity to sort out some of the bills Helen hadn't had a chance to organise yet. He was enjoying the rare peace and quiet when there came a shuffle and a knock at the door.

"Come on through!" Siegfried called. The door opened and two police officers walked in, removing their helmets as they did so.

"Can I help you?" Siegfried asked curiously. "Found a lost dog that needs patching up?"

"Not exactly sir." The younger one said. He glanced at the older policeman for support. "It's about your brother."

"Tristan? What's he done now? Heavens, he hasn't been arrested has he?" Siegfried asked, face darkening at the thought.

"No sir." The older policeman said. "Nothing like that." He hesitated. "I'm afraid we've come with bad news."

Siegfried felt a sudden chill sweep over him, numbing his every thought and movement.

"Bad news?" He managed to ask, voice only shaking a little.

"Yes. Er, would you like to sit down sir?"

"No. No I'm fine." Siegfried managed to pull in a deep breath. "Just tell me officer. Is it…?"

"I'm afraid Tristan Farnon was killed last night."

The words had a terrible, awful finality.