The tobacco industry shudders and share prices fall as the news that Lilian’s given up smoking reaches the industry. The other big news in the Bellamy/Elliott household is Alice and Chris’s impending divorce, and the impact it could have on Home Farm and therefore Borsetshire Land.
Speaking of Home Farm Justin Elliott takes Stella out for lunch and during their conversation we discover that they have history together - purely professional and above board of course. Stella previously worked for Justin on one of the farms in which Damara Capital has a stake and it was he who tipped her off when the farm manager job at Home Farm became available. During lunch he mentions the possible sale of Home Farm and Stella’s not happy, later telling Brian that it’s ungrateful and inconsiderate of him not to have told her himself. He agrees but protests that events had overtaken him and couldn’t find the right time to tell her. In return Stella now wants to know what else he hasn’t been telling her.
Where to start? He tells her about the pollution and subsequent fine that forced him to sell the house, then about Alice’s alcohol addiction and pending divorce. Stella thinks all is not lost - Chris and Alice haven’t actually filed for divorce yet and even if they do she’s sure they can find a way to sell some land and still make the farm viable. Step 1 she says is to secure the contract with Borsetshire land at the forthcoming board meeting.
Still apparently unaware of Justin and Stella’s history, Brian introduces them to each other at the meeting. Stella quickly asserts herself and outlines her plan to take advantage of the new farm incentives while also lowering overall costs. In the end she manages to retain the Home Farm contract much to the delight of Brian who’s cock-a-hoop about getting through another board meeting on top.
Chelsea still doesn’t want to continue with driving lessons but instead wants to learn to ride a motorbike, and thinks Jazzer’s the ideal person to teach her. Tracy’s not keen, to say the least, but Chels’ points out that as she’s 17 her mum can’t stop her, and if she tries she’ll go on strike from college. Eventually Tracy sees the sense in letting Jazzer teach her at least one lesson rather that someone they don’t know, but they’re still going to try and put her off.
Jazzer does his best to make the lesson as boring as possible but Chelsea sees right through it and tells Jazzer she wants to have some fun and encourages him to show her just what his bike’s capable of. Jazzer opens up the throttle and Chelsea squeals declaring “OMG that was lit” (translation: my word, that was exciting). Now home but still full of adrenaline Chelsea feigns boredom but Tracey knows her daughter better than that and berates Jazzer for going against the plan, kicking him out before his favourite dinner of mince pie.
Instead of spending his evening lying on Tracey’s sofa with a full belly and a can of lager, Jazzer goes out birding with Jim. Jim thinks he’s spotted a Redwing and they head off to the hide but there’s already someone in there, sleeping. It’s the elusive Blake who’s made it his temporary night shelter and rather than cause a scene, Jim and Jazzer leave him a sleeping bag and a flask of tea, and the next morning Jazzer takes up bacon sandwiches and fresh tea. The talk about their shared experiences of a troubled upbringing and bond over football, and Jazzer helps Blake to understand that although the likes of Lynda and Jim may seem posh, all they want to do is help. Jazzer tells Blake how he cut himself sawing wood so that he could put up shelves for Jim’s rapidly growing book collection and Blake laughs saying that shelves are so easy. Blake offers to help him which gives Jazzer the chance to offer an open invitation to him to go round whenever he likes.
If like me you have been on tenterhooks worrying about the birthday cake for Jill’s 91st, you’ll be glad to know that Beth has finished it. Josh winds Ben up (there’s £100 at stake remember) about how it will seriously put Jill’s nose out of joint to see how good it is which makes Ben seriously worried that it will upset her. So worried in fact that a struggle ensues as he tries to hide it, with the cake Inevitably landing up on the floor.
Beth can’t have held much of a grudge though as she agrees to let her dad take her and Ben out for dinner, to Les Soeurs Heureuses no less - yes the same fancy restaurant that Jill used as target practice with her flapjacks - see The Flapjack Flinging Felon. Ben has had to wear a tie and that’s not the only thing he’s uncomfortable with - the prices are making him choke too. Vince tells him not to be shy as he’s footing the bill so forget the goat’s curd salad and glass of water Ben, have the steak and a bottle of Margaux. But tread carefully Ben, although Vince says you “smell right”, he also won’t see Beth hurt again - “understood”? Such was the thinly veiled threat in that one word he might have well have said ‘Capiche?’, but he moves on and starts asking Chris about his nursing studies. He senses Chris’s earnestness and tells him that he has a serious nut allergy that’s nearly killed him on several occasions. Chris realises in panic that Vince has just eaten a pear and frangipane tart for dessert and shouts across the restaurant for an ambulance, just as Vince’s gasps turn to guffaws at his own distasteful prank. His daughter though is disgusted with him and storms out, challenging Ben to leave with her.
When Vince calls round to apologise, Beth keeps him on the other side of the door. Ben is more willing to forgive than his girlfriend and laugh it off. He explains to Vince that his offer of a hotel stay in London to make up for it is part of the problem. All Beth wants is her Dad, not someone who’s always trying to prove how good he is. Vince explains that he’s proud of what he’s achieved and that all he’s ever wanted to do is provide his girls with the best of everything. Tail between his legs, Vince shows Beth a picture of her when she was only seven which he’s carried in his wallet ever since. “No more stupid jokes, enough with the swagger” is Beth’s demand, and Vince agrees.
Finally thais week, Roooooth seems to be the only one who’s noticed that Amy has been on leave from her job for rather a long time. Amy avoids the question, but later on after a walk to clear her head, confesses to her father that she’s leaving midwifery as her heart’s not in the job any more. Alan’s actually relieved as he’s been worried about the number of NHS staff dying from COVID, but the job has taken it’s toll in other ways and she just can’t take it any longer.
Let’s hope Ben manages to navigate through the demands of working for the NHS without too many issues. I think it would be good to follow his studies and subsequent career closely so that we get a real insight into what it’s like starting out in today’s health service, and not just become one of the characters we only hear about in passing like Dan Hebden Lloyd.
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