The Darling Buds of May: H.E. Bates

`Home looks nice. Allus does though, don`t it? Perfick`

One pleasant May evening, Pop and Ma Larkin and their six children - sated on fish, chips and ice cream - return to the rustic charms of their Kent farm. Waiting for them is a young man: Mr Cedric Charlton, an upstanding inspector of taxes, come to discover why they haven`t paid any.

Yet as junk-dealer Pop patiently explains: nothing`s ever that simple at the Larkins`. Mariette takes a shine to `Charley` - as Pop calls him - and before long the family have introduced the uncomplaining inspector to the delights of country living: the lusty scents of wild flowers, the pleasures of a bottle of Dragon`s Blood, cold cream dribbled over a bowl of strawberries and the sweet song of nightingales.

Will Cedric come to his senses?
Or will he beat a hasty retreat to the office?