Week Beginning: Sunday 5th September, 2010
Sunday 5th September
Clarrie, Emma, Ian, Adam, Eddie, Lilian
- The birthday cake that Joe has requested will be oozing with cream. When her rather vivid description of it sends Emma rushing to the bathroom, Clarrie is quick to work out the cause. Of course she is delighted, but Emma swears her to secrecy for now: she hasn't even told her mum that she is pregnant.
- Ian and Adam are enjoying lunch in an award-winning pub; before the new chef arrived it was dying - like The Bull is now! The atmosphere there is like a morgue. Would Lilian keep it going? She surely wouldn't want to see it close but there is no sentiment in business.
- Eddie has had a good day but he realises that he is wasting his time telling Clarrie about it; she isn't listening. She tells him why - but of course he must not tell anyone else. The temporary secrecy will give them time to work out how to tell William. Eddie doesn't think it will be a problem, now that Will is settled with Nic; Clarrie is not so sure.
- Not being a big fan of the game, Ian has done his bit by watching an hour of the cricket at Waterley Cross. Now at The Bull, he sounds out Lilian about the future of Ambridge's pub. She explains that she is not in a position to buy Jolene out and, anyway, it wouldn't be the same with a manager in place of the perfect host and hostess, as Sid and Jolene were. Maybe they will have to call time on The Bull.
Summarised by Brian Maskell
Monday 6th September
Brian, Jennifer, Eddie, Joe, Lynda, Matt
- Would you believe it? Until two weeks ago, the strip of land that Brian needs for access to BL's proposed new market site belonged to the owner of the business park; then it was sold - to Matt. Wiley old dog!
- How long has Matt's plan been brewing? Brian has to concede that Matt's council contacts are better than his. So what is his price? It's not just about cash: Matt wants shares in BL and and a seat on the board - for Lilian.
- Joe is scathing about the beans Bert has donated to the shop, also about his role as special adviser to the Lower Loxley allotment holders. The other interesting gossip from the shop is not to Eddie's liking: Nathan Booth overheard Lilian in The Bull garden telling Ian that she can't buy Jolene out. That looks bad for the village pub.
- Jennifer wants a word with Lynda about the hide at Arkwright Lake but not now; Lynda has a crisis; they are a F&P vegetable judge missing: gardening expert Harold (actually she is a woman) has eloped with the motoring correspondent, Colin, also a woman.
- Brian is so wound up about Matt. He can't believe his cheek. Jennifer is sure Lilian isn't in on it. Jennifer would hate to be on the BL board - all that back stabbing. Brian thinks it is all bluff. The land has no intrinsic value and Matt is strapped for cash. They should hold their nerve. BL won't wear his demands; they will know that Matt would be pulling Lilian's strings. More immediately, Jennifer has to face the Golf Club dinner on Thursday; they are going, as are Matt and Lilian and half the BL board.
Summarised by Brian Maskell
Tuesday 7th September
David, Eddie, Ruth, Ed, Jill, Lynda, Bert
- The boys are off to the Dairy Show - that's David, Eddie and Ed - it will be Ruth's turn tomorrow. There is a lot of shiny equipment to dream about but David and Ed are keen to gather useful information; Eddie is more intent on propping up the bar.
- Over coffee at Brookfield, Jill reports the scandal at The Echo; she confidently predicts that it won't make the front page, even though the story is more exciting than anything that will be in the paper. Ruth extracts from Jill that she would like a small family party for her birthday, certainly not a big do at Lower Loxley.
- Lynda has called an emergency meeting of the F&P Committee but nobody has ideas for an alternative vegetable judge. Then they must turn to one of their own and she has a suggestion - Joe. Bert is flabbergasted, and outvoted.
- Eddie cannot help himself; it just slips out that he knows about Ed and Emma's baby. He is delighted; it's such good news. So is Ed but he will not be swayed: this is not the time to celebrate; there is work to be done.
- Bert is not minded to let the matter rest; he calls on Lynda at Grey Gables. It's not right; there was no warning; two members were not there; Joe has no qualifications. No, but he has experience: he entered a sunflower at the age of 4 and this year he will be 89. Lynda grants him a concession: she will hold off approaching Joe until the end of the week, so Bert has until then to find another candidate.
Summarised by Brian Maskell
Credited scriptwriter: Joanna Toye
