“Okay, so you knew all this stuff, why didn’t you tell the world? What’s the point of having all the answers if you don’t do anything with them?”

“I could plan. I could feel something wasn’t right. War, civil unrest, natural disasters… whenever these things happen people like us, criminals, find opportunities. I could smell something was on the horizon and I needed the facts to plan how I was going to come out on top, with the sims I care about safe.”

“I didn’t speak out because it’s better to look after number one, and knowledge is power. Why spread it around? Besides, the information got leaked without me. It must have been some staff whistle-blower. It’s not being reported on our local news, but those in the big cities know the truth. The governments trying to contain it but… well. The protests started simultaneously in Bridgeport and the capital, Sunset Valley. Now they’re spreading.

“The anger at the government is mostly driven by those frustrated with officials for not helping those hit hardest by the drought or the blight. Sims like your parents Megan, ordinary, good sims who have lost their livelihoods.

Many are furious the government don’t seem to be worried by any potential long term effects on the environment. Why aren’t plans being made in case of new plant diseases, earthquakes or future droughts?

It’s no longer nude protests, flyer campaigns, the odd hippy shouting at council buildings… it’s getting nasty.”

“Basically now sims know the permanent sunshine is dangerous for all sorts of reasons they’re getting violent.”

“As the violent spreads and gets worse the government will be forced to turn the machine off. After so many years of being suppressed, no one knows how extreme the weather’s going to get. I fear for our little town Megan, Appaloosa’s so far from anywhere we might have to fend for ourselves.”

A few evenings later Edward invited Megan out into his back garden. To her surprise he walked into the middle of an overgrown flowerbed and beckoned for her to join her. Heart thumping, she did as she was bid.

In the middle of the bushes there was a hidden spiral staircase. Megan followed him down into a dark series of rooms. It was like walking through a front door into a fully furnished flat, but underground.

Edward gave her the tour and explained. He’d had this basement built during the night when he had first moved to Deasil Street. He’d had a similar set up in his last home. It gave him a place to hide his stolen riches and hole up in if the world went crazy.

Allain soon got home but Megan could only think about how amazing Edward was. When he made money he poured it into important things, was careful and planned for the future. Nothing like her dad. He’d built a big basement because he had the money and fancied the space, not for security. And he couldn’t save to save his life

She asked him about what he’d been up to that night, how much he’d made in stolen goods or valuable information. He answered happily enough at first, but got a bit annoyed when she kept talking about crime.

His life wasn’t just about being a thief. Why didn’t she ever ask about his martial arts? He was entering a competition next week. Or her life, why didn’t she ever talk about her management of James’ future musical career any more?

His dreams that night revealed his darkest fear. That Megan liked his older brother more than him.

No. 2The Bailey Family.Warren , Teresa , James, Megan and Emma Marshall.

No. 6Patrick and Betty NasirSimon Lewes

No. 1Edward and Allain Poeson

No. 5Alfred Hennrick

No. 4Bernice and Gracie Kasitova. Ambrose Merrihall and her son Julian.

No. 3The Williams FamilyMarley, Aimee and Malika

No. 7Ariette and Annette Vickers

Deasil Street

Bernice and Sonja have a surprise delivery…

Find out all about it next time on Deasil Street!

Next Time…