Toby Laurence (Freddie Pargetter)
Lynda is in a bad way in hospital, and it’s not just because Robert is reading to her. She tells him that she is tired when a visitor turns up and to tell them to go away, but when she learns it is Freddie, she gets Robert to ask him to stay. Not only that, but when Robert says he’ll leave them alone, she does not object.
When Lynda and Freddie are alone, he says he wants to apologise for things he said before the explosion and adds that Lynda is someone he respects. During their conversation, Freddie tells her about Robert giving him his father’s Military Medal. Far from this being something hidden in a box in the attic, Lynda says that the medal had taken pride of place at Ambridge Hall since Robert’s father died. A horrified Freddie says that he is definitely giving the medal back, but Lynda says that he has to keep it; it’s heartfelt.
Freddie is uncomfortable and says that anyone would have done what he did, but Lynda replies that a lot of people would have left her behind. An increasingly tearful Lynda says that visitors have all told her that she is lucky to be alive - “Look at me Freddie; what’s lucky about this?” She adds that she is a wreck - she can see it in people’s faces - her head has been shaved. She tells Freddie that he must not repeat this conversation, as it would break Robert’s heart; if he knew how she really feels, and that she has flashbacks… She begins to cry, and says to Freddie “You should had left me there - I wish you had. I mean it Freddie - Robert may be glad you rescued me, but I’d rather have been left to die.” And she breaks down in tears. So there you have it Freddie - it’s your fault for rescuing her from the debris and you should feel guilty.
On Monday, Lynda is moved on to a ward from the Burns Unit. She gets access to a mobile and rings Roy at home. She asks if he has recovered - she is worried about Blake and, when Roy says that he deserves all he gets, in his opinion, Lynda replies that Blake was reckless, but he was seriously injured and he must be in all sorts of torment. She asks Roy if he could visit Blake in hospital and tell him that Lynda has forgiven him.
A deeply unenthusiastic Roy asks can’t Robert do it? Lynda says that Robert isn’t the right man for the job (and I bet that isn’t the first time that that has been said about him) and it is important for her to know that this will be done. Eventually, Roy agrees, but he warns Lynda that he won’t be able to find time to do it until next week. She thanks him and says that she will be able to rest easier now.
We begin to suspect that Lynda’s health might be improving, when her comments to Robert become increasingly acerbic; he tells her that Shula is trying to organise an Easter Festival to raise village morale after the incident and Lynda replies that she cannot see how a few stalls on the Village Green will do much good. Bearing in mind that there is a meeting in The Bull on Tuesday to discuss ideas and that the following Sunday week is Easter Sunday, the timescale does seem a tad optimistic. But hey! This is Ambridge and we are confident that chestnuts will be pulled out of fires, dreams will realised and, unlikely as it might seem, Shula’s hope that Lynda might attend as guest of honour, might come true. The fact that Lynda thinks that she looks grotesque and makes people turn away from her might put her off attending, even in the unlikely event that she would be let out of hospital.
If I were Robert, I think I’d feign an illness and stay at home (pity Ambridge hasn’t yet been affected by corona virus) as he doesn’t seem able to do anything right. Lynda tells him that she doesn’t want to see any visitors and she has told this to the nurse. Robert had already stopped Ben and Josh from visiting Lynda, by telling a white lie about Lynda being in physiotherapy. No need to tell lies, says Lynda - just put the word around that she’s not seeing anybody. “If and when I feel differently, I’ll let you know” she commands him.
Robert seems to be having trouble getting on top of this idea, as he cheerfully tells her that Flat Leaf Parsley sends her love and that James and Leonie will be up at the weekend. Lynda says sharply that she hopes they don’t want to see her and Robert says that they are coming because it’s his birthday (it’s not all about you Lynda!)
On Thursday, Robert screws up big time. Kate pops into the hospital to see Lynda, who is obviously suffering from concussion or is drugged up to the eyeballs, as she says how nice it is to see Kate. Kate asks if Lynda would like her to paint her toenails, assuming that the doctor says that it’s OK? “I couldn’t think of anything nicer” says Lynda, which to my mind shows a distinct lack of imagination - what about a nice bottle of malt whisky, for example?
The two ladies are getting on like a house on fire - Kate shares that things with Jakob are “wonderful”, except that, if they go anywhere, his preparations are incredible; two sat navs (in case one goes wrong) a scan on his phone of any tickets needed (in case they lose the actual tickets), high energy snack bars and, I wouldn’t be surprised, a shovel, medical kit and a flask of coffee. All sensible precautions, you might think, but he’s only going to the village shop.
The two women are getting on like the proverbial burning house, when suddenly Robert bursts into the room like an avenging angel or the villain in a pantomime. “You stupid woman!” he rants at Kate, saying doesn’t she realise how sensitive Lynda’s skin is? You can imagine Robert foaming at the mouth as he continues to lay into Kate “How dare you inflict yourself on Lynda?” he screams “You just don’t know the meaning of the word ‘no’ do you?” Kate protests that she checked with the nurse about the nails and that Lynda asked her to stay, but it’s all in vain - the red mist has descended on Robert and he practically throws Kate out.
Well done Robert, for carrying out Lynda’s ‘no visitors’ diktat so forcefully! Or perhaps not, as Lynda backs up Kate’s story and orders Robert to go after her and apologise. He does so and grovels unreservedly. Kate says that it’s OK - he was just being protective. Sadly, when Robert returns to the ward, tail firmly between his legs, his wife is not so forgiving. “What a spectacle” she says, and carries on in full school marm mode; “I hope you’re ashamed of yourself - how dare you treat me like a baby? I’m an adult.” He is being so annoying, she tells him and, having been thoroughly chastised, Robert begs forgiveness. Well, dear reader, I think we can safely say that Lynda seems to be on the road to recovery and is behaving more like her old self.
There was further disappointment in store for Robert as Freddie went to see him at Ambridge Hall - Freddie cannot accept Robert’s father’s Military Medal and is returning it, as he knows how much it means to Robert. Robert admits he is disappointed, but says that he cannot force Freddie to take the gift. Is there anything else, perhaps…? “No,” Freddie says quickly, “Please, I really don’t deserve anything.”
Freddie is certainly a reluctant hero and Elizabeth’s suggestions that he might like to see someone and talk about his experience are batted away. He keeps telling his mother that he is coping, but she continues to nag him and just won’t let it lie. The sooner you move out of Lower Loxley, the better, Freddie. Mind you, he is in danger of turning into someone unapproachable - Johnny tries to draw him out of himself by going for a drink in the pub and remarks that Lynda must be made up that her campaign to save The Bull’s name was a success.
Freddie is incredulous “Do you think she really cares about that?” he asks. Johnny admits that he doesn’t know what to say to Freddie nowadays, and Freddie leaves on his medal-returning mission. “I knew that this was a mistake” he says, as he exits the pub.
There’s something afoot with Ambridge Rewilding, as Justin takes Phoebe aside and tells her that there is a business opportunity - on some land adjoining AR land, there are two derelict barns. These could be renovated and used as AR offices and a visitor centre, but they need to move quickly. Phoebe says that it seems more property development than rewilding, but Justin manages to get her onside and asks that she convince Pip and Rex. They too feel that this is not what AR was set up to achieve and are concerned when Phoebe says that Justin is willing to come in as a co-investor. If I were one of the three amigos, I’d make sure I had a long spoon.
You have to admit that Justin has a certain knack when it comes to screwing people in business; Gavin goes to see him to ask if they can restart the Berrow Farm track-laying project? Justin mentions their tarnished reputation, but Gavin points to all the jobs they have done in and around the village and adds that not having the work is eating away at Philip. Magnanimously (!), Justin says that OK, they can resume work, but he has a couple of conditions; firstly he wants a 40% rebate on the cost of the job, and secondly, he wants a week shaved off the schedule. Gavin agrees immediately. I cannot help thinking that Philip will hardly be doing handsprings when he learns what his son has agreed to.
Earlier, we told how Robert turned Josh and Ben away from Lynda’s ward. They had turned up at the hospital in Ben’s bright orange car (“The world’s first motorised tangerine” as Roy described it) and are on the point of leaving when they run into Chloe, the girl who Ben spent the night with after his birthday celebrations. Josh, who is in a good mood because the police are not going to prosecute him, insists on being introduced, and it comes to light that she is a doctor in her first Foundation year and, after more probing by Josh, that she is aged 25. Josh quickly informs her that Ben is just 18. Chloe admits that, on the night in question, she was totally rat-arsed and calls Ben ‘sweet’, adding “but maybe you should get back to me when you’ve had a bit more practice.” And with this, she goes.
Josh is falling about laughing and tells Ben that he was punching way above his weight. Ben is furious and warns Josh that he is in danger of having to walk home. I don’t know about you, but if I had copped off with a gorgeous 25-year old when I was 18, I’d have been chuffed to bits, even if she was drunk (some - and yes Neil, I do mean you - might say she‘d have to be pretty far gone anyway), and perhaps Ben should remind Josh that at least Ben’s latest sexual partner had fewer than four legs and didn’t go ‘baa’.
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