Charles, Jen and Hubert are continuing on the trail of Greg. They are around 60 miles north of
the Walters' place when they find a shepherd, who has been thrown from his horse, and has a broken leg. He knows of a vet in the vicinity, who lives in a manor house.The vet is Janet Milton, who lives with her companion Philip in the house which was her home and practice before the death. She fixes the man's leg, and invite the travellers to stay the night.
That evening, Janet shows Jenny a family picture album - she realises that Janet is the
mother of John, who had been away at his grandmother's at the time of the death. Janet had gone in search of him, but had been unable to find him. The news makes Jenny long to see her own son, and she promises Janet that they'll set off back to see him the next morning.
Meanwhile, Philip shows Charles a still he uses to produce a small amount of petrol. As they talk, it transpires that Greg had been there at the house that very morning. He rushes to
tell Jen, who now has to decide between returning to see her son, and continuing to chase Greg who is now so close. She opts for her son, but Charles persuades her to stay on Greg's trail. He doesn't trust Hubert to see the women safely back, but promises that if they don't find Greg in two days, they will all return to Challener together.
Janet is distraught on hearing that she can't go to Peter immediately. Jen revolts and says she'll go back with
Janet the next day whatever Charles thinks.
Charles is angry, but the next morning sets out after Greg himself, leaving a note specifiying a rendezvous point where he'll meet them the following evening.
Janet and Jenny set out southwards with Hubert. Hubert proves his worth again by saving Jenny from a wild dog on the return trip, and they rendezvous safely with Charles. He's had the idea of relocating their community from White Cross and
Challener to Janet's manor house, as it is central to the main communication routes.
They reach Seth's place, still 50 miles from home, in time for the 4 o'clock telephone call. Back at Challener, Jack is faithfully following the phone call rota and is surprised to hear Jenny's voice on the line. They decide to travel up to meet them half-way, so they can meet up the very next day.
Jack is staying at Challener with Pet, the kids John and Lizzie,
and baby Paul. After their evening meal, Pet tells Peter the news of his mother - he doesn't seem very excited about it. She thinks this may be because he hasn't seen her for over two years, a long time to a child.
The following morning, they set off from Challener on a horse-drawn cart. John seems a little reluctant to go, and when they meet up and he is reunited with his mother, he still seems a little distant.
The decision is made to relocate up to
Janet's manor house so they can all stay together. When they arrive back, John is still sulky. Janet eventually realises what may be wrong. While John was away at his grandmother's just before the death, there had been an outbreak of foot & mouth back home - Janet had written to delay his coming home until the outbreak was over. She thinks that the whole story may have not got through to John, who may think she didn't want him at home any more.
Charles tells the situation to John, and persuades him that his mother does want him. He is quite smug about his success.
