The local sheriff ...... (investigate) the crime scene when his deputy barged in on him.

The dressmaker ...... (make) the final changes to our clothes when his assistant dropped a glass of milk on the floor and spoiled the dress in the process.

Laura's nephew ...... (clean) the stables when he heard some strange noise coming from the back garden.

The mice ...... (crowl) through the grain when Mr and Mrs Portland entered the barn.

The geese ...... (sleep) out in the grass when the dog started chasing them.

My sister Clara ...... (ride) a horse when she fell off and hurt her elbow.

Our neighbours ...... (celebrate) a small party when I rang their doorbell. You could hear the music well.

The magician ...... (show) us a little trick when his manager called his name.

The poet ...... (think) about a new topic for writing when she realised she had forgotten her reading glasses at Helen's.

The team ...... (explore) further options when their manager left for Vienna last night.

My sweetheart Lilly ...... (smile) cheerful when I saw her last.

The Greenhorns ...... (plant) some trees in their garden when it started raining.

Martin left the flat while his sister ...... (have) a shower.

While the doctor ...... (perform) a difficult operation, the man's family ...... (wait) outside.

While she ...... (swim) in the lake, her dog discovered a dead body.