This was my entry for the 2004 competition run by Dolls House Emporium. Many towns had a market cross where the 'respectable' burghers of the town met, markets were held and, in this case, a view of the sea was available for the burghers other activities - smuggling! The market cross has a thatched roof and oiled paper in the windows which are built out on jetties. The meeting room is reached by an outside staircase leading to a heavy door. Below the meeting room there is a space where a weekly market is held but all that is left today is one of the stalls with barrels of left over produce and a couple of cats who have found a fish for their supper! Under the stairs is a lock-up for any local miscreants and a pair of stocks awaits the next prisoner. Behind the building runs a stone wall and a tunnel opening which is hidden by trees. A boat lies by the wall ready to be rowed out to the ships bringing contraband! Inside the meeting room is furnished with heavy and ornate Tudor furniture, lit by a candelabrum and heated by a central brazier. The door to the room opens into a curtained porch with a hiding place above for ill-gotten gains! There is a barrel of rum and a chest of jewellery reached by a ladder when some of the planks of wood are removed. Inside the tall cupboard are rolls of expensive silks and brocades - also smuggled from afar. The table is set for a meal of cheese, bread and ale which the town burghers have been eating while they discussed the town business but…….. they have left in a hurry leaving food half eaten, a split tankard of ale and a purse of gold open on the table. What are they planning to smuggle into the building tonight?