Bleak House

Young orphan Esther Summerson is brought to the High Court of Chancery, where she is thrown together with two wards of the court, Richard Carstone and Ada Clare. Both are caught up in the infamous suit of Jarndyce and Jarndyce, which brings nothing but ruin and despair to all it touches. Esther, Richard and Ada are sent to live at Bleak House, where they receive a friendly welcome from their rich guardian John Jarndyce.

George's future is put at risk as Tulkinghorn uses the evil moneylender Smallweed to pile on the pressure. Guppy makes a discovery about Esther which shocks Lady Dedlock to the core. Esther and Jarndyce take in Jo the crossing sweeper, who is seriously ill and on the run from Tulkinghorn's men. But their kindness produces an unexpected result.

Esther is shattered by Lady Dedlock's revelation. Richard's obsession with the Jarndyce case has grown to worrying proportions. Guppy puts himself at risk when he gets in the way of Tulkinghorn's enquiries. And Tulkinghorn at last has cast iron proof of Lady Dedlock's guilt, and issues her with a terrible ultimatum.

Richard is in dire straits but Ada and Esther may be too late to help him. An unexpected meeting with Woodcourt raises uncomfortable questions for Esther. Jo the crossing sweeper is critically ill, and despite Woodcourt's best attempts it is a matter of life and death. Tulkinghorn discovers Lady Dedlock's defiance with disastrous consequences.