#nancy steele

We're heading over to the other side of town today, to see how the other Steele sister is getting on.

Very well, as it happens!

And we finally get to meet the man behind the llama. I like him! As does Nancy, clearly. He just needs a more becoming hairstyle.

Although Nancy is by nature an independent girl, there's a real spirit of togetherness between these two, even hitting the gym together.

Which is why Nancy decides to invite him to move in, and share the rent.

Meet Steve Hicks, before...

...and after his makeover. (Fun fact: I actually love this Maxis hair, and I'm really glad of an opportunity to use it!)

Steve's stats:

~ Scorpio 5 / 4 / 9 / 3 / 4

~ Mean-spirited / Light Sleeper / Artistic / Daredevil / Clumsy

~ OTH: Sport

~ Favourite Colour(s): Olive Green

~ Aspiration: Fortune / Romance

~ Turn-ons / -off: +Adventurous / +Athletic / -Indoorsy

~ LTW: Become Space Pirate

Loneliness seems to be a thing of the past for Nancy.

Steve needs to pay his way though - Nancy won't tolerate freeloaders - so he signs up as a recruit.

And just in time, as he's about to become a family man!

It's a boy! With his mum's (and grandfather William's) amber eyes.

Steve, meet your new baby son, Andrew.

Well, that was fast work! Nancy is keen to get back to work as soon as possible, so if Andrew - their firstborn - is not to be an only child, there's no time to waste.

What a sweetie!

Well, except when he's grizzling.

Andrew's toddler stats:

~ Aries 7 / 7 / 8 / 1 / 0 (ouch - he's going to be a little charmer then!)

~ Coward / Hot-headed

~ OTH: Fitness

Dad knows how to fix the grizzles.

What they're putting in kids' books these days seems to be a bit of a shocker though.

The army was very much a job of convenience, and soon after completing his basic training, Steve is fortunate to find himself an opening in his dream career instead.

Nancy is at home alone when Andrew's little brother Alasdair makes his appearance. He has his dad's striking grey eyes. (Yeah, I seem to be going with a bit of a Scottish theme with the baby names, and I have no idea why!)

Nancy hasn't had much time for socialising lately, so she's very glad to catch up with her old friend Margaret.

Although perhaps the tiredness that comes from caring for two under-twos is making her especially irritable at the moment.

Alasdair is bit of a poppet too.

~ Sagittarius 9 / 3 / 7 / 1 / 3

~ Brave / Loves the Outdoors

~ OTH: Nature

They might be a pair of little meanies (Andrew especially), but these two brothers certainly love each other!

Peace reigns, now that kitties Tiberius and Meg have found their own favourite spots in the kitchen.

But now, it really is time to say a final farewell to Tiberius - and immediately after his kittens were born! To be honest, I think that's a bit of a low move by Grim, popping up behind the scratching post.

New arrival Dolly (looking so much like her dad, except that her white sock is on a different foot!) doesn't seem to know what she's supposed to do with that fuzzy thing on the end of a stick.

She knows exactly how to deal with the bird on a spring though!

While laying Tiberius to rest, the sisters catch up briefly, but Nancy is so career-focused that the family hardly sees her these days.

Erasmus is still at home, although not for much longer. He's always been quite an outspoken lad, and now - with the idealism of youth - spends much of his time berating his dad for his materialistic outlook. The way Erasmus sees it, there's so much more to be gained by looking beyond their mundane lives, and out into the stars!

There's also a brief visit from a lost wolf - a recently aged-up Dolly doesn't care, as long as she's not expected to give up her bed.

~ Sagittarius

~ Doofus / Independent / Aggressive / Finicky

who arrives just in time to catch Father and Daughter Smustle Time. He doesn't stick around long...

Who needs a love life, when you're enjoying meteoric success in your career? Not Catherine, it seems!

What everyone agrees that they do need however, is another cat. Enter Mozzarella (by @lesyasun - except that I seem to have accidentally given him blue fur, on top of turning her into a him)!

~ Libra

~ Doofus / Lazy / Friendly / Pigpen

At the pet shop, Mary seems to be considering eschewing the traditional witch's familiar, in favour of a parrot.

Ouch!

Nancy and Steve have a daughter! She has her mum's eyes, hair and freckles. But will she share her *ahem* unique personality?

They name her Amelia.

Nancy thinks this is the perfect time for her and Steve to cement their relationship.

Romance-Secondary Steve does not agree!

The couple smooth over any post-rejection awkwardness with a cosy game of chess, in the newly-repurposed study.

Sticking with the household's one-in-one-out policy, it's time for Mozzarella to leave this mortal coil.

The family hasn't had the pleasure of his company for long, but they're genuinely saddened by the loss.

Today's interlude: Andrew meets someone with the same immaculate dress sense (Harry, from down the road).

And then it's time to discover what delights Amelia's character holds. She looks like she has a nice blend of her parents' features.

~ Leo 9 / 8 / 7 / 4 / 1

~ Born Performer / Perfectionist

~ OTH: Music & Dance

With Catherine and her daughters moving in with Simon and his family, it only makes sense for Nancy, Steve and the boys to take over the family home - giving them the space that they were sorely lacking in their rented accommodation.

Alasdair meets Mozzarella, who came with the house.

They move in just in time for Andrew's 5th birthday.

~ Aries 7 / 7 / 8 / 1 / 0

~ Coward / Hot-Headed / Genius

~ OTH: Fitness

~ Favourite Colour(s): Yellow

Those zero Grouchy/Nice points are very much in evidence.

Andrew might not be the nicest kid, but there's still a lot of brotherly love between him and little Alasdair.

Mozzarella is looking for some love too - he spent the whole night wandering from room to room, trying to get some attention!

That's better!

Alasdair swiftly catches up with his big brother.

~ Sagittarius 9 / 3 / 7 / 1 / 3

~ Brave / Loves the Outdoors / Genius (another smarty pants)

~ OTH: Nature

~ Favourite Colour(s): Purple

A brief interlude, in which their neighbour Lucas walks his cat (Trinny).

Andrew makes up for his deficit of personal charm by being diligent and conscientious.

It's a family trait.

Meanwhile, Mozzarella is diligently and conscientiously distracting the staff.

Oh! That took everyone by surprise, although Andrew is taking it in his stride.

Let's spend a little time with the Wentworths again today, where I can safely report that there are no new babies!

Frederick continues to the the best granddad ever. (Seriously, he's absolutely brilliant with all the youngsters.)

Despite not being the most outgoing lad, oldest child Valentine is making friends at school, and he gets on especially well with Anthony.

His younger sister Frederica demonstrates that there's simply nothing you can't do in a pink leotard.

And youngest Susanna ages up, with quite frankly the most terrifying set of gnashers I've ever seen.

~ Virgo 7 / 2 / 9 / 3 / 6

~ Neat / Dog Person

~ OTH: Tinkering

Henrietta has found a real kindred spirit in workmate Cassandra.

Being Miss Popularity, the house is regularly full of her friends and acquaintances. There's even some mild flirting with Bennet, but for now, she's still a single gal.

Unwelcome guest Nancy is her usual charming self, of course.

Unfortunately, Sophia's long-standing infatuation with Bennet is unabated. And fiancé Thomas is still none the wiser. Oh, Sophia!

While advancing in her career, and maintaining a busy social life, Henrietta still has time to continue being Aunt of the Year.

And is there to guide middle child Thomasina into childhood.

~ Virgo 10 / 4 / 7 / 3 / 7

~ Perfectionist / Vehicle Enthusiast / Proper

~ OTH: Music & Dance

~ Favourite Colour(s): Pink

Jasper and Georgiana launch themselves into adult life by hosting a housewarming party in their minimalist apartment. Introverted Georgiana wasn’t really too keen, but she appreciates how it important it is for people-person Jasper to spend time with his closest friends and family.

Most of the guests seem happier to hang out on the pavement outside though - until neighbour and party-pooper Nancy turns up to complain about the noise (maybe she was just miffed that she wasn’t invited).

Jasper in turn tolerates Georgiana’s new work friends, even when they have a vulgar sense of humour.

At least Jill Smith appreciates his guitar playing - she’s very surprised that he hasn’t considered taking up music professionally.

Meanwhile, next-door neighbour Nancy is still stewing over her betrayal by Samuel.

And admittedly is feeling a little lonely.

But that all changes when Llama Guy accepts an invitation to come over!

Over grilled-cheese sandwiches, he confesses that he is yet to have his first kiss...

He also treats Nancy to a special llama-snout massage - just the thing to relieve the tension in those shoulders.

And charms the socks off her!

And then, just to prove that he isn’t a one-dimensional kind of llama, takes her outside to introduce her to the wonders of the cosmos. What an evening!

Now Nancy only occasionally has time for old friends...

and Llama Guy - with his very individual fashion sense - is a regular fixture in her life.

They’ve won each other’s hearts!