A free introduction to life in the village of Hapeney Fen, filling the space between 'Home Economics for Girls' and 'The Elasticated Waistband'. An unfortunate connection between Violet's slipper and a steaming sign of the old dog Marcus's passage, and finding an old bike in the shed, gives Mother a mysterious thoughtful look. Kitty is despatched to the Vicar's Invitational village baking contest, where the old bike will be auctioned. She does not solve the mystery, but she does eat a lot of cake.