07/04/2024

Alistair is clipping Monty’s claws as he and Robert agree what an asset Denise is to the vet’s practice. They chat about Sunday’s cricket win over Darrington and Linda’s worry that she might not get enough volunteers to prepare the teas for the T20 match during May Bank Holiday weekend. Jim arrives with Alistair’s forgotten packed lunch. They agree to meet for a drink later at The Bull. Robert remarks how happy Alistair seems these days and says he might adopt a similar approach to working with Lynda. Instead of getting annoyed, he’s going to focus on him and Lynda being a team. Later at The Bull, Jim offers to help Robert with his ancient mystery puzzle and they agree to make a night of it. Alistair joins them and, while Robert is at the bar, Jim says he will be spending the night at Ambridge Hall and Alistair should take the opportunity to spend some time alone with Denise. George is not happy about Eddie’s sign advertising Bartleby The Talking Horse. Eddie thinks they’re on to a financial winner if they charge people to visit and take pictures with the pony. Linda arrives for a chat - with Bartleby (the cause celebre) – prompting an indignant protest from George that Bartleby talks about people, not to them. They risk damaging his brand. Eddie sharply points to George that were it not for his idea there would be no brand. George sulkily posts Bartleby and Linda’s gossipy video about a dancing vet but soon changes his tune when it starts racking up thousands of views.

Alice is groggy when Jakob - hammering on the door - finally manages to rouse her. She needs to call the nursery as she forgot to tell them Kate would be picking Martha up. Alice is defensive when Jakob tells her Kate thought something terrible had happened when she didn’t answer her phone after calling in sick. Jakob’s suspicions grow when he notices Alice’s phone is under the coffee table, where its ringing should have woken her – then, as he’s about to leave, he notices a poorly-hidden empty wine bottle. Alice tries to talk her way out of it but he says he’ll have to tell Kate. Alice promises it’s a one-off and says she’ll call her sponsor, Lisa, if he’ll keep her secret. She says she can’t risk Martha being taken away from her. Reluctantly, Jakob agrees.Chelsea is being trained by Emma at the Tea Room, although her experience at The Orangery has Chelsea overflowing with confidence. Robert comes in for a cup of tea and she is soon trying to persuade him to buy cake as well – her overselling of the various teas is overwhelming and he buys a cappuccino instead. Almost as soon as he has finished his drink she is fussing around him and urging him to buy another. He’s engrossed in a mystery game Lynda bought him for Christmas but Chelsea won’t relent and pretty soon drives him out of the Tearoom. She starts boasting about what she has done, but far from being impressed, Emma is horrified, saying Robert is a loyal customer.

Lynda greets Azra as she takes a guided tour of Lower Loxley with Joy and Mick. Azra tells Lynda that her family will be renting a house on Beechwood. She adds that she and Joy went to the dance class at St Stephen’s and they were the only ones there, apart from Alistair. Lynda suggests Azra visit the herb garden and waxes lyrical about life in the countryside. But Azra has no desire to get involved in community events, particularly not Maypole dancing or the Ambridge Christmas play. Lynda points out tartly there’s something for everyone – the annual Flower and Produce, harvest suppers, summer fetes and even Bartleby the talking horse. What Azra prefers the clear air of the countryside and relaxing at home with a box set. Chelsea can’t decide between a job at The Bull or the Tearoom but Emma has no time to chat – she’s busy with tree surgery business. Emma’s exasperated but realises Chelsea won’t stop until she gives her some advice. Chelsea really wants to be able to use her new job to find customers for her hairdressing business but Emma says that wouldn’t be appropriate. If it’s just about making extra cash, why doesn’t she choose the one that uses skills she already has, asks Emma. Chelsea notices a package delivered by Will earlier – it’s branded fleeces and t-shirts for the tree surgery business. The pair laugh at Will’s suggested name – Ultimate Arboriculture. Emma decides to save the gift until they are away on the course, so Ed isn’t tempted to thump Will.

Azra reveals she is going to be moving in to Beechwood and, delighted, Joy quickly shares all her intel on the local residents, before inviting her new neighbour to join her later at Denise’s Dance Fit class at the Church.Alistair has a pub date with Laura from the Little Croxley cricket team. The conversation quickly becomes stilted, and Laura politely asks what’s going on. Alistair is sorry for messing Laura about and makes excuses. The actual issue is someone else, but it’s complicated. Laura’s not offended but knows that it’s time to leave Alistair and re-join her friends who are sitting at another table. She wishes him well, and good luck with his “situationship”.Alistair goes to find Denise at the church and explains that he liked Laura – but his mind was elsewhere. Denise laughs as Alistair recalls how he embarrassed himself, but gets upsets when she realises no-one’s there for her fitness class, apart from Alistair who’s volunteered to take part. Denise heads to the vestry to pack up her equipment. She admits everything is upsetting her – not least their work situation and fear of Paul noticing and wondering what’s going on. Trying to act normal is impossible, and then at home she knows that John knows something’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk. Alistair comforts Denise and they have a passionate embrace, but stop as they hear Joy and Azra arriving in the church, leaving flustered Denise to re-focus on the class. Denise and Alistair wonder what they’re playing at.

Helen invites Joy round for a natter and her food selection reminds Joy of being in Corfu in 1989. Helen says she hasn’t had a girls’ holiday for years, and Joy eagerly suggests they go away together to a Greek island next year, with Kirsty too! Joy admits that Mick’s been elusive, and something seems a bit off, so perhaps it’s a good idea she hasn’t rushed to move in together. Azra turns up for her house viewing and realises she has the wrong address – but Joy quickly gets to know Azra and fills her in on the owners of the property she’s viewing. Joy and Helen watch a worryingly fearless Jack on Henry’s old skateboard. Azra returns and seems happy with what she’s seen, and shares that she has been warned about a local busybody. Joy has no idea they mean her.Lilian finds Alice busily working at the Stables, before the Inspector comes back. Lilian wants to go through the report, but Alice says she’s on top of things. The rather severe Inspector leaves and Lilian’s relieved. They passed with flying colours and Alice played a blinder. She admits she’d been so worried about them losing their accreditation – it’s all been hanging over her, as she knows that it would have been her fault for taking her eye off the ball. But Lilian feels it’s water under the bridge. She compliments Alice on how well she’s looking – brighter than she has been. Lilian has been worried, but Alice says she feels better than she has in ages.

Ed and Fallon chat about how much Emma’s enjoying fitness training and getting stronger. Fallon is dropping off a gift for Emma – a bonsai tree from a tea room customer, for good luck. Ed’s concerned that too many people know about the tree surgery before it has got off the ground. Fallon senses something’s amiss, and Ed’s admits he’s worried they’re making a mistake launching the business. It is a big change, says Fallon, and maybe that’s what Ed’s most scared of. She tells him to talk about it with Emma. Alice goes to see Harry but finds Eve at his flat. Harry’s got a place at the treatment centre and Eve is tidying up. But she’s upset and struggling to cope, so Alice comforts her. As Alice talks about her own worst moments facing up to her addiction, Eve’s sympathetic and knows that Harry is in the right place now thanks to Alice. She apologises for how she treated Alice and will never forget what she has done for their family. Lilian has been looking after Martha and, suspecting nothing, she asks Alice how her Pilates was. She congratulates Alice on being such a brilliant Mum. They talk about how they both miss Jennifer. Lilian offers to stay over and get a takeaway, but Alice is tired and ready for bed. Lilian insists that, at the very least, she will make her some food, and leaves with a word of reassurance. Once alone, Alice goes to a cupboard and finds a bottle of booze. She pours herself a glass, takes a deep breath, and drinks.

Fallon joins Harrison at cricket practice with Henry. She feels sorry for Alice that it didn’t work out with Harry. But Alice seemed in good spirits on Sunday. Self-conscious Henry’s slightly peeved to discover Fallon is joining them, as wicket keeper, and he insists Helen just leave him to it. Henry’s a wild bowler but has a decent first go at batting, with lots of joshing from Harrison throughout. Helen comes to pick him up and is pleased to see Henry spending time with a positive male role model. In the car heading home, Henry jokes about how bad he was, and they agree he doesn’t need to make any decisions yet: about life or cricket. Alistair examines a lamb with a broken leg and, gutted, Ed agrees to stump up for a cast. They chat about cricket and Ed teases Alistair about his ‘double win’ on Sunday, chatting up the Little Croxley captain Laura. Alistair and Denise are joking about a difficult cat that might even be worse than Hilda, when Ed turns up to return Alistair’s coat. He apologises for winding him up about Laura. Alistair tries to cut him off before Denise comes back, but Ed reveals all to Denise and says Alistair should call Laura. Denise agrees, if that’s what Alistair wants. Later, Alistair tries to explain to Denise, who says there’s no need. Alistair’s keen not to offend her, but they both know that things are very difficult at the moment. So, the next move really is up to Alistair.

Harrison bumps into Henry as he heads home from school. Henry asks whether he needs new players for the cricket team. Later at Bridge Farm whilst collecting Fallon, Harrison gets chatting with Helen – he wants to thank Henry, who has inspired him to get a youth cricket team going again. He’d even be happy to give Henry some coaching. Helen’s confused - Henry hates cricket!But after a chat with Henry, Helen messages Harrison to accept his offer. Henry explains to his mum that he doesn’t know if he likes cricket - his experience of the game came from playing with Rob, which wasn’t fun. He wants to see if it’s different with someone like Harrison coaching him. Helen’s impressed and thinks that’s a great idea.Harry visits Alice to tell her he has stopped drinking and is booked into a rehab centre this week. Alice surprises him with the offer to come in for some tea, which turns into dinner and a bedtime story with Martha. Harry fears that he won’t be able to stop drinking, but Alice reassures him. Harry feels so lucky to have Alice, although they know they’re not together anymore. But without saying it, there’s still mutual love. They hold a last hug for longer than either intended, and end up in bed together. As Harry makes to get dressed, Alice berates herself for letting this happen – she shouldn’t have kissed him! They cannot be together: it would jeopardise both of their recoveries. Harry says he’ll go immediately, leaving a distraught Alice sobbing.

Alistair’s grateful when Denise comes in for a work emergency, but things are tense between them. They agree they’d like to try to go back to being ‘normal’ with each other. Alistair invites Denise to his cricket match later, but Denise has to be at home, as John’s back – and they need to talk. At the cricket, Fallon thanks Alice for getting Harry to testify on Harrison’s behalf. Fallon is sorry it hasn’t worked out with Harry, but Alice knows it’s best for everyone, and she needs to just move on. At the cricket Harrison asks Ed how the tree surgery enterprise is going. Ed admits he’s done some research and now realises what a dangerous profession it is. Harrison reassures Ed and suggests he tells Emma how he feels. But Ed says there’s no backing out now. Ed’s a nervous stand-in for Will at the match but makes a good catch against Little Croxley. Their captain Laura protests that the ball came off her pad, and Alistair backs her up. Laura offers Alistair a drink as thanks, but he politely declines, so she gives him her phone number for another time. Denise arrives to surprise Alistair and can see he looks worried. He asks about John. Denise explains that their important talk was short-lived, and she suspects he is being evasive. Denise did express her unhappiness but can’t tell whether her husband knows what’s going on with their marriage. And he refuses to talk about it. She’s exhausted and just wants someone to tell her everything’s going to be alright.

Mick helps Kirsty as a volunteer at the Rewilding for Primrose Day, and happily informs Kirsty he got the security job at Grey Gables. There’s loads to sort today with school workshops, and they’re joined by Lord Mayor Ruby Cosse. Sadly, there aren’t many primroses left in their desired spot so Mick sets to work on a new path and signage. Kirsty becomes fraught as a series of issues crop up, including the Mayor’s dietary requirements - the gift cake Kirsty prepared won’t be suitable. Mick hot-foots it to Bridge Farm to find something gluten-free, and mucks in to save the day. Kirsty’s so grateful she gives him the cake, which he looks forward to sharing with Joy – and Mick asks Kirsty to not let on to Joy the good news about his new job. It’ll be a surprise.Lilian admits to Alice she’s treading on eggshells since she and Kate interfered in their concern about Alice. Alice knows that Lilian and Kate just care. But when Alice phones Harry to check in on him, as promised, she’s dismayed to discover he’s been drinking. Heading straight over to help him, Alice asks Lilian to fetch Martha, lying about having a meeting with Stables’ clients. Lilian can’t help, so Alice eventually asks Kate. As Alice deals with Harry, Lilian phones to say she’s free after all. As Harry makes noises in the background, Alice makes excuses and ends the call. Afterwards, unaware Harry thanks Alice for being his lifeline, but she feels she’s being dragged into a pit and can’t do this anymore.