Yaxley Farcett and Fiona Morgan were strolling, hand in hand, around the greens and gardens that surrounded Ealham Cathedral. Hundreds of visitors to the City were milling around the same areas as they waited for the time to arrive to collect their Degrees in the Cathedral.
The pair skirted alongside the south end of the building to find yet another secluded green, which sported a large marquee, providing refreshments for the influx of strangers to Ealham. To Yaxley's surprise, and delight, it turned out to be a beer tent. Making his way past groups of chatting families, all in their Sunday best, Yaxley arrived at the bar. A large familiar figure had his back to the bar and was pouring a pint of 'Summer Threaknecks' from a barrel mounted on a trestle table. Johnny Swift turned around and boomed 'Was it one or two o' these lad ?' to a bespectacled youth standing next to Yaxley. He noticed Farcett and Fiona and let out a sigh, 'Bugger me ! Not you two an all ? I reckon the whole of Barnham's over here today'. Yaxley enquired who else Johnny had seen, and it turned out that for a variety of reasons the Skaters Run regulars had a part to play in The Open University's big day. Dave Stumpsfield was on duty outside the East Door, ensuring that nobody got out of hand after too much Champagne; Clunch Parsons and Hummer Thompson were ushers inside the Cathedral, although they had already visited the beer tent four times each . Anne Worthington was wandering round in her 
Graduate regalia taking in the sunshine and looking very nervous as her time approached to collect 
her degree. According to Johnny, she also had her husband John and son Darren with her, although they looked bored with the whole affair and would rather be doing something more 'useful'. As well as that clutch of locals, Fiona's dad was 'pressing the flesh' in his role as local MP and frequently dragging his speech out of his pocket to make sure he would be word perfect. Hummer Thompson had heard of the allegations against Morgan on the radio and he knew that it was his Father's land that was the subject of the fraud. Whilst drowning his third pint he had said to Swift that 'that thieving bugger needs sorting out ! That land were given to the village by my ol' dad'. 'So he knows then ?' asked Yaxley. 'We all know now Yaxley...and no one is best pleased. I know he's your dad Fiona but he can't get away with it. When I asked him about it, he said he couldn't comment because he was seeing his solicitor!' Fiona gave a non-committal shrug and wandered off to find her dad. 'So, that's the lot is it Johnny ? Anyone else I should watch out for ?' Swift laughed, 'Well your mate Graham Trent is here as well. He's covering it for The Ealham Observer, taking a few photos and speaking to any locals that are getting their degrees today'.
Graduate regalia taking in the sunshine and looking very nervous as her time approached to collect her degree. According to Johnny, she also had her husband John and son Darren with her, although they looked bored with the whole affair and would rather be doing something more 'useful'. As well as that clutch of locals, Fiona's dad was 'pressing the flesh' in his role as local MP and frequently dragging his speech out of his pocket to make sure he would be word perfect. Hummer Thompson had heard of the allegations against Morgan on the radio and he knew that it was his Father's land that was the subject of the fraud. Whilst drowning his third pint he had said to Swift that 'that thieving bugger needs sorting out ! That land were given to the village by my ol' dad'. 'So he knows then ?' asked Yaxley. 'We all know now Yaxley...and no one is best pleased. I know he's your dad Fiona but he can't get away with it. When I asked him about it, he said he couldn't comment because he was seeing his solicitor!' Fiona gave a non-committal shrug and wandered off to find her dad. 'So, that's the lot is it Johnny ? Anyone else I should watch out for ?' Swift laughed, 'Well your mate Graham Trent is here as well. He's covering it for The Ealham Observer, taking a few photos and speaking to any locals that are getting their degrees today'. Yaxley frowned; all the main players in the Dixon murder seemed to have gravitated towards the Cathedral in an uncanny, and some might say contrived way, as if the denouement to this whole sorry story were approaching.
As Yaxley stood with his drink, taking in that gorgeous smell of grass in a marquee, Clunch Parsons walked over carrying a 
tray of drinks. As well as being an usher inside the cathedral, he was also acting as waiter outside. 'Afternoon Mr.Farcett' he said happily, 'Fancy a glass of 'great with vol-au-vents ?' nodding at the drinks on the tray. Yaxley shook his head. It was probably a drinkable wine but he wasn't prepared to drink something with a name like that. Along with pre-grated cheese, he thought this new tendency for 'dumbinh-down' was the lowest the supermarkets had sunk in their efforts to 'educate' the great unwashed. 'No thanks' Clunch' he said, 'But while you're here can I have a quick word ?'
tray of drinks. As well as being an usher inside the cathedral, he was also acting as waiter outside. 'Afternoon Mr.Farcett' he said happily, 'Fancy a glass of 'great with vol-au-vents ?' nodding at the drinks on the tray. Yaxley shook his head. It was probably a drinkable wine but he wasn't prepared to drink something with a name like that. Along with pre-grated cheese, he thought this new tendency for 'dumbinh-down' was the lowest the supermarkets had sunk in their efforts to 'educate' the great unwashed. 'No thanks' Clunch' he said, 'But while you're here can I have a quick word ?' Clunch put the tray down on a nearby table and indicated that they should both sit down. 'Is it about Hummer ?' he said 'The soft old bugger is about ready to rip Morgan's gizzard out. It takes a lot to get Hummer riled but this has got 'im going. You don't cross a Thompson and get away with it' Yaxley shook his head. 'Well...no it's not. I'll have a word with Hummer though. He can't take the law into his own hands. No...this is about you and Brian and your private enterprise' Clunch frowned, 'What you mean.... The Cordial ? I haven't made any of that for years....what's he said ?' Yaxley leaned forward and said firmly, 'It's all gone now..and I'll say no more about it as long as you promise your Godfrey's Cordial days are over'. Clunch nodded furiously, 'Yes Yes Yes Inspector...You can be assured I have forgotten the recipe and have no access to any equipment. You have my promise...Safe as a church tied to a bloomin' hedge that is ' and he scurried off with his tray to find Hummer.
Yaxley finished his drink and wandered around to the main door of the East Tower, where he had gone to meet Anne Worthington the day before. He found Fiona talking to Stumpy and he appeared to be sympathising with her for her fathers' present predicament. As Yaxley approached he heard Stumpy say, 'Oh yes Fiona, Yaxley was very fair with your dad. The model professional'. Stumpy winked at Yaxley as he approached and asked the couple if they wanted to go in. Farcett agreed with Fiona that it might be interesting and he took two admission tickets from Stumpy and they ducked in through the ancient oak doorway.
As they took in the scene; a Cathedral almost full of people and flowers and with the strains of Vaughn Williams 'In a Fen country' soothingly played over the pa system, Farcett could feel a sense of well-being wash over him. He led Fiona to a pew at the back and they sat down. Fiona dipped her head and appeared to be giving some kind of a prayer when Yaxley 
realised that in front of them sat the Worthington's. He tapped John on the shoulder and the large 
man spun around. 'Farcett!' he exclaimed 'What are you doing here ?' At the sound of the name Anne and Darren also spun round to see why the Drainage Inspector was there. Yaxley explained that he was just taking in the atmosphere and John Worthington barked, 'I wish I was at home...Only here cause she's come to collect her piece of bloody paper to prove she knows something about history' and he pointed to Anne who was also looking as if she would rather be elsewhere. Yaxley leant forward and whispered to Anne. 'Enjoy it, you've worked hard for seven years for this moment...don't let anyone spoil it for you'. Anne touched Yaxley sleeve and nodded, careful not to let John see any intimacy.
realised that in front of them sat the Worthington's. He tapped John on the shoulder and the large man spun around. 'Farcett!' he exclaimed 'What are you doing here ?' At the sound of the name Anne and Darren also spun round to see why the Drainage Inspector was there. Yaxley explained that he was just taking in the atmosphere and John Worthington barked, 'I wish I was at home...Only here cause she's come to collect her piece of bloody paper to prove she knows something about history' and he pointed to Anne who was also looking as if she would rather be elsewhere. Yaxley leant forward and whispered to Anne. 'Enjoy it, you've worked hard for seven years for this moment...don't let anyone spoil it for you'. Anne touched Yaxley sleeve and nodded, careful not to let John see any intimacy. As the first graduates began to file towards to front of the Cathedral to collect their degrees, a harassed Clunch Parsons scuttled down the aisle, causing many heads to turn in the process. He arrived at Farcett's pew and gasped for air...'Yaxley, thank god you're here, I was going out to get Stumpy, but I think you'll deal with this better !' Yaxley leaned across and hissed. 'Come on Clunch what is it...The ceremony's started..spit it out !'
Clunch took a deep breath....'It's Mr.Thompson, in the Chapel, with the candlestick !!!!'
