14/01/2024

At the Tearoom Fallon and Emma dread their catch-up meeting with Natasha. Her music choices have been driving them mad! They draw up a list of talking points. Chat turns to Ed’s lambing and Emma mentions that he’s worried about all of the rain. It means the Grange Farm fields are too wet for grazing. Unfortunately the higher dry ground is the land that Oliver’s just sold. Later Emma and Fallon broach a few suggestions to Natasha on how to improve things at the Tearoom, but she brushes them aside. Fallon and Emma think the vintage music that’s always been played worked really well but Natasha wants to try out a few more types of music. They can survey the customers to see what they think.

Lilian and Tony are at The Dower House sorting through boxes of Peggy things that won’t fit at The Laurels, including Peggy’s cottage teapot, which Lilian lays claim to. They’re interrupted by a phone call from Brian who has something else that won’t fit in there – Hilda the cat. There’s been some complaints at The Laurels including from the woman next door to Peggy who says Hilda sits in her doorway staring at her. When Brian asks where he should unload Hilda’s things, shocked Lilian clearly states that she won’t be looking after her. Especially after Hilda knocks over and breaks the prized cottage teapot. Lilian suggests Tony, but he’s equally forceful in his refusal to take Hilda on. Brian puts his foot down, refusing to leave until either Tony or Lilian agree to take her.