The fact that Christopher Lambert really is Bridbury’s blacksmith does not have to come as surprise to anyone. He is big, even huge, has arms like tree trunks and a voice like thunder. His wife Kim adores him and he her. They have three sons, and they are already becoming as strong and kind as their father. Miss July Lewisham’s school suffers regular damage through the impetuosity of the boys, although they are always sorry afterwards and receive their punishment with bowed heads.

The Lambert family have been fulfilling the function of village smith in Bridbury since time immemorial. Predecessors forged the swords of the English crusaders. Christopher made the bell in father Jessy Anthony Green’s bell tower, designed and made the water pump for fire officer George Biggin and made the cast iron veranda for John en Annabel Ripley’s house. Today he’s repairing the wagon axle of Pat Hackney’s Christmas tree shop’s cart and tomorrow he is going to fit a new copper beer pipe in the "St. George's Pub" of Bobby Taylor.

There is always work for Christopher Lambert in Bridbury. Kim is a modest woman, quickly content and also proud as a peacock of her own giant. When she walks with her arm in his through Bridbury to the church she feels both big and small. She has become accustomed to the stench of glowing iron and the noise of the hammering on the anvil. And there is no getting away from the boisterous laughter of men, especially not with her three sons who are following so fast in their father’s footsteps.