Lynda’s concerned for Khalil after the loss of Constanza yesterday. Khalil assures her he’s okay. They take Salieri for a walk, the start of a regular thing and Khalil loves it. He admits he sometimes feels stupid and his mother has low expectations of him. Lynda assures him this isn’t true. He tells Lynda about a boy whose funeral he attended. Seeing the boy’s mum’s face put him in mind of his own mum and how she might feel if he died. He knows his cancer could return. He apologises for the dark conversation and Lynda comforts him. She knows his mum’s just thrilled he’s alive and thriving, and has complete faith in him.
Joy checks in with Mick, making sure he’s still happy for Rochelle to stay with them. Mick confirms it’s all good; he’s pleased for Joy that Rochelle’s around. Joy declares him a good man. Mick raises the delicate topic of what’s really going on between the two women. He needs Joy to be straight with him. Joy gradually opens up, disclosing the extent of her ex husband’s betrayal as he conducted a string of affairs. She thinks Rochelle might blame her for her father leaving. Joy worries she leaned on Rochelle a bit too much at that time. She confesses she left for a few days, acknowledging Rochelle was probably too young for this. It was a dark time in their lives; they’ve never really got over it. Mick understands, relieved Joy’s been honest with him. He promises things will be better from now on.
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13:17
25/03/2025
Lynda wonders to Robert whether she should pay Khalil to feed and walk the llamas. She wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t become a vet. As they approach the paddock they notice Constanza is lying down. To their horror they realised she’s died. They call Alistair to her, and he explains she had bloat. It would have happened very quickly. Lynda’s sad but tries hard to be philosophical; Constanza had a lovely life. At that moment Khalil arrives and is devastated. He’s convinced he must have fed Constanza something she couldn’t eat. Alistair reassures him, but he struggles. He asks what will happen to her and whether there’ll be a funeral. Alistair’s explanations do little to console Khalil and he leaves, distraught. Lynda’s concerned for him.
Joy and Mick are finishing off the cleaning at Home Farm as they prepare to leave the house. Joy can see that it must have been a wrench for Brian and Jennifer to relinquish the the farmhouse, but much as she’s enjoyed her stay she wouldn’t swap it for her Beechwood home. When they get to Joy’s house they’re relieved and delighted to find it’s been refurbished beautifully. However they soon discover Rochelle’s back; she’s used the spare key. Joy asks why she left so suddenly. Rochelle obfuscates. They catch her up on village events, and she wonders whether she might stay with them at Beechwood for a bit. She’s had to move out of her house share. Of course, effuses Joy. It’s lovely to have her back.
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13:03
24/03/2025
Emma’s relieved to report that there’s been no negative activity around her media exposure for the water company campaign. Nevertheless she announces she’s decided to resign from the parish council. Robert’s dismayed, and urges her not to be too hasty. Mick praises Emma tentatively for her work with the campaign – he was impressed. Emma snaps that she didn’t do it to impress, rather that it was the right thing to do. Later Robert urges Mick to think again about his complaint to the parish council; Emma’s a good person who’s already suffered enough. Chastened Mick promises he will give it some thought.
Helen and Pat face the challenging task of interviewing Susan and Clarrie. Pat reckons due process will at least take the emotion out of it but Helen doesn’t agree – it’s like being asked to choose between two diamonds. As the time draws near flustered Clarrie needs help from Emma to clean her mud splashed skirt. Susan’s somewhat calmer, but in the interests of fairness Emma offers to make them both a soothing coffee.
The interviews surprise all four women. Susan struggles to be coherent, while Clarrie finds her flow and speaks with passion. Afterwards Helen and Pat agree this wasn’t what they were expecting. Helen needs a few days to think. Does she give the job to Susan, who is more senior, or to Clarrie, who did the better interview? Despite Pat’s protestations that it’s too long to wait, Helen declares she’ll make the decision on Friday.
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12:59
23/03/2025
Emma’s not at all happy to find she’s become the poster girl for the water company campaign; her picture has made the local paper. Robert reckons it’s a positive – it’s all good publicity. But Emma’s worried about the prominence attracting negative comments about George on social media. Her place on the parish council may also be in question, but she’s not worried about that. If they don’t want her, that’s fine with her.
Robert reminds Lynda the decision on Emma’s future on the parish council is this Thursday, but Lynda’s distracted. The Malik family have gone back to Beechwood and the house is quiet. Robert reminds her what good news this is that the Maliks’ house is habitable again. Azra has left them with profuse thanks and some delicious chocolates. Lynda’s happy for the family, but still laments their own house feels empty. She’s cheered by the prospect of Khalil returning from time to time to feed the llamas.
Clarrie feels no matter how much she prepares for her interview tomorrow, she won’t get the job. She’ll have to look for something else. Eddie suggests she might retire, but Clarrie declares they can’t afford for her to do that. Later Emma tells Eddie that Susan’s hating the process too. They agree it’s a rotten situation all round. Emma promises Clarrie any financial help she can, and they’ll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. Clarrie acknowledges she can only do her best.
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13:15
21/03/2025
Rex is still uncomfortable with the idea of being paid to play cricket, and even more so when Lily confirms there’ll be another player getting money too. He thinks it’s all very dodgy; if it’s not, why are they having to keep quiet about it? Tom interrupts them and Lily covers, expressing her optimism for the season ahead. Tom agrees; if nets is anything to go by everyone’s sharp and focused on improving. Martyn Gibson arrives and accuses Rex of being involved in the imminent bellringing protest against the water company. Bemused Rex denies any involvement. Lily gets back to business. She runs her intended team talk past Rex and Tom. She’ll announce a change to Harrison’s previous ‘playing for fun’ approach, and make clear that nets will be compulsory – miss two sessions and you’re off the team. Later Tom and Rex agree this is all a bit strong. Lily clearly doesn’t understand people’s commitments and motives for playing.
As they prepare for the ringing Neil shares with Alan his ongoing sadness that George still refuses to see him or Susan. Alan sympathises. They look forward to the arrival of the bellringing teams, but Emma surprises them by bringing people for a ring-along. They have assorted small bells they’ll ring in support. It was Akram’s suggestion, and Emma’s happy to be involved. If she loses her place on the parish council, so be it. Angry Martyn interrupts proceedings, and issues a veiled threat to Neil’s job. Defiant Emma challenges his attitude, galvanising the crowd, and the rousing ring continues.
New Zealand