20/04/2022

The village absorbs the news that Grey Gables is closing and everyone is being made redundant. Brian can’t believe Oliver didn’t give Peggy a heads up. Meanwhile Vince wants to be sure that the news about the hotel won’t affect the party he has planned there for Elizabeth’s birthday. On his way in to work, Freddie takes Vince’s list of requests to Oliver for the party. Oliver interrupts him to say with staff leaving for other work it’s not feasible to host the party. Vince is livid when Oliver relays the party’s cancellation to him. Freddie interrupts them to say he’s persuaded enough people to help so that the party can go ahead. In fact he hopes to make it the best party his mum’s ever had.

Brian and Jennifer enjoyed their stay in Bath which Ruairi arranged. When Brian asks Alice what’s happened while they’ve been away, it gets awkward and Ruairi makes a swift exit to pack to return to London. Alice follows him and asks if Ruairi has spoken to Ben since the party. Ruairi doesn’t want to listen but Alice presses on saying she is there if he ever wants to talk. For a moment Ruairi looks like he’s about to open up but then says he can’t trust Alice with his secrets which puzzles Alice. After dropping Ruairi at the train station, Brian calls in on Alice. He feels like there’s something she’s not telling him. She tells him that Chris has requested Home Farm to be valued so that Alice’s share can be assessed for their divorce. Brian isn’t surprised.