by John Glover
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Episode 30 - "Fred Ricketts: Part 2" - (May 18th 7.45pm)

Yaxley Farcett glanced around The Skaters Run to make sure no one was listening and leaned in towards Fred Ricketts. "So", he hissed, "You're telling me that about half an hour before Reg Dixon was run through with a pitch fork, Daisy and Anne Worthington were having a huge Barney in the kitchen ?" Ricketts drained the dregs of his Quangleroot and nodded. "And that were only the start" he teased. Yaxley looked at Ricketts through curious eyes. Brian had been right, Fred Ricketts was a 'singular character'. As well as living a lonely existence deep in the fen, living on his wits and country skills, he also appeared to be the eyes and ears of the village. A useful man to have around.

"Go on then, Fred" he urged, "Give me what you've got". "Well, I didn't hear it all, as I didn't want John to come back and catch me earholing but I did hear something about Dixon. Daisy was shouting and bawling about how Reg wasn't only teaching her how to use the computer and how she thought Anne should show her John more attention. There was also some stuff about Anne's head being full of bloomin' History and empty of the bloomin' present. It was then that I got on my bike and took my eels up to the shop". Yaxley made a quick note and gave Fred a sidewards glance, "Reg Dixon doesn't strike me as the sort of bloke that would be giving computer lessons". Ricketts gestured to Johnny Swift that he would like two more pints and turned to Farcett. "Don't yew be judging no books by no covers young Farcett. Reg Dixon studied at Agricultural college before taking his Dad's farm over and I know for a fact that he'd been playing about with computers for years. When Anne was doing her studying, Reg used to help her with Zip Drives". Ricketts gave a dirty grin, "Mostly on Thursday's when John and Darren had taken Daisy to market in Ealham is what I heard"

While the two men had been having their enlightening chat the pub had become quite full. As well as Hummer and Brian in the corner and Jak setting up the Karaoke equipment, they had been joined by Clunch and Su Parsons, Jak's girlfriend Fleur and, next to Yaxley, a tall spivvy looking character in a suit with an outrageous tie and his hair slicked back over his head. "Oi. Geordie ! I'm next. Forget the peasants. I've had a hard day," he barked at Johnny Swift. The landlord gave the newcomer a stare and replied curtly " Yurl wait yur turn. I'm filling up old Hummer at the moment".