Leeds Christmas Market
Sunday was the big day – Tony and Pat were going to
see Rich at last. At the Christmas market, Pat was racked with doubts, saying
"they won't come" until Tony pointed out that they had got there
about six hours early and why not have a look at the stalls to pass the time?
Anyway, Sharon, Eamonn and Rich did turn up and there followed a rather
anodyne, somewhat stilted conversation along the lines of "gosh, fancy
meeting you here…" We learned that Rich likes science (biology), most
sports and is a fledgling pace bowler, then he was dragged off by Eamonn to get
a burger, while Sharon made it plain that this was to be the only meeting,
unless Rich asks about his real father. Sharon left her best news to last –
telling Pat that Rich is just a nickname and the boy's given name is John.
Back at Bridge Farm the next day, Pat and Tony
discuss how Rich's smile is just like John's and, rather grudgingly;
"whatever we thought about Sharon, he's a real credit to her". Don't
go over the top, Tony! At the end of the week, Helen persuades them to decorate
the tree early (it's usually a Christmas Eve tradition) so that Henry can enjoy
it. Helen mentions the fact that it is a break with tradition, prompting Tony
to wax philosophical, saying "everything has to move on." I really
hope so when it comes to the Rich storyline, as I have just about had enough of
Pat's moping, agonising and hand wringing.
Perhaps some of it is that Pat will be 60 in
January and this gives Lilian the idea to hold a party for her at the Dower
House – just a simple affair; they can cope with about 60 people, although the
chances of Pat and Tony having 60 friends are remote. Six would be nearer.
Still, as it's Lilian hosting the party, it is rumoured that the big Gin
distillers are unmothballing factories and taking on more staff.
At Brookfield, David is still having badger trouble
and is incensed that, should he repair the slurry pond, this could be regarded
as interfering with the badger sett and he could be fined. I bet the badgers are
sniggering away to themselves. David says Josh keeps reading on the Internet
about farmers going out of dairy. "I can't imagine Brookfield without a
dairy herd" Tony tells David, just to cheer him up a bit.
Another who needs cheering up is Susan, who spends
some quality time reminiscing about her mother with Clarrie, while the latter
kills and plucks turkeys. There's nothing like discussing your own mortality as
you slaughter a shedful of birds. Actually, I might be doing Clarrie an
injustice, as the turkeys were probably already dead and she's just removing
feathers and internal organs.
Over at Lower Loxley, Freddie is getting excited by
the imminent arrival of Caspar the pony and has set up his stall, including
fresh straw, a jacuzzi, plasma screen TV, carrot-flavoured champagne and an
endless supply of frisky young fillies, in case he gets lonely. Freddie then
goes into sensible mode, saying how he wishes Nigel was there. I cannot
remember whether or not he referred to Nigel as 'Daddy', but I wouldn't be
surprised. I have noticed an unsettling trend where Freddie (and Lily) are
getting quite large speaking parts and Freddie is getting to sound more and
more like his father, which is worrying.
Thursday night saw both Nic's Hen Party and Will's
Stag do. The boys went to a Comedy Club, then to an Indian restaurant, where
Will gives a speech saying how lucky he is to be marrying such a lovely girl
and five million listeners nod in agreement. The boys return home comparatively
sober, saying that they must be getting old.
Things are different for the girls – the plan was
to be picked up in a stretch limo, then on to Jaxx's for food and then to hit
the nightclubs. Personally, I was hoping that Nic would take the limo to the
airport and get on the first available plane, having come to her senses. But it
was not to be, as the limo broke an axle. Not to worry, as there was plenty of
booze on board and the girls – including the formerly stuffy and strait-laced
Helen – got completely rat-arsed. So much so that Will, Tom and Roy are treated
to the spectacle of the girls being driven home in a police car after having
been rescued from the stranded limo. The episode ends with the stomach-churning
scene of Nic snogging Will. Never mind, there's still a few days till New
Year's Day and, as we learned last year, dramatic things can happen.