'Art of War'

The news about Jimmi’s new job at the radio station has spread. Daniel and Heston tease that he only got it because the producer was Welsh, and Simon offers some well meant but useless advice!

Michelle watches Ruth compliment Zara on her clothes, and confides in Jimmi she thinks Ruth is copying Zara, showing the same behaviour she did with her. Jimmi doesn’t agree but offers to keep an eye out.

Meanwhile Ruth finds Zara’s been looking at a website on early menopause. Zara threatens that if Ruth tells anyone she will make sure she loses her job. Ruth’s lips are sealed.

Later Michelle warns Zara about Ruth’s previous behaviour. Zara, however isn’t worried. She knows about Ruth’s past and is perfectly aware of the symptoms if Ruth suffered a setback.

Michelle tells Zara not to come running to her when Ruth’s ruined her life.

Meanwhile, Richard (14) manically plays on the online game ‘Warwolf’, his avatar ‘Halla the Invincible’ is in the lead, ahead of his nemesis ‘Voth, Lord of Tor’. His mum Tanya (34) then walks in and pulls the plug. He is devastated but she reprimands him for staying up all night and reminds him to get ready for the doctors.

In the Mill reception, they bump into Karen, a friend of Tanya’s, and they discuss the woes of motherhood. Later Jimmi tells Tanya that Richard is doing really well with his asthma and the boys compare avatars!

At school the local bully Pyle (15) and his gang shove Richard around threatening him, saying he needs to give them some money by this afternoon or else… Richard sneaks into the IT room and logs online, determined to maintain his high score. Not long after he’s caught by the teacher and sent home with a suspension letter.

Walking the streets, he bumps into Karen who offers sympathy and gives him £2, advising him to get a treat to soften the blow of telling his mum. Richard however decides to go into an internet café with his money and continue gaming.

The game is interrupted as Pyle and his posse spot him, and end up chasing him. They have Richard up against a wall as Karen appears and frightens them off. Richard futilely shouts after them that he is ‘Halla the Invincible!’ Pyle stops. He walks right up to Richard and replies that he is ‘Voth, Lord of Tor’.

The two boys battle their differences back in the internet café, both determined to be the master of ‘Warwolf’. Richard wins and Karen cheers with delight. Pyle shakes his hand, not worthy of Richard’s skill. Richard returns home only to find his mother on the doorstep, furious.