Ruth Archer (Felicity Finch)
“…he did leave rather suddenly, didn't he?”
What ever happened to Sam the Brookfield herdsman and who was he? We don’t have the answer to the first question, as he did indeed leave in a hurry (and without fanfare). Here’s a look back at Sam and the impact he had on Brookfield – and, in particular, Ruth…
Sam arrived in May 2004 and was offered the job of herdsman. David and Ruth were impressed not just by Sam’s enthusiasm but also by his practical ideas. A friendly, resourceful chap, Sam got on with things. and gradually developed a friendship with Ruth, who's marriage was going through a difficult patch.
In 2006 things moved on apace between Ruth and Sam…
April: Ruth helped Sam with his research - they were relaxed in each other's company out in the fields.
August: David failed to notice a new top Ruth was wearing. She was all set to take it back until Sam remarked on it.
October: Sam managed to bring a smile to Ruth’s face while doing the clover survey and told her that when she smiled it was like the sun coming out. Over lunch, Ruth spontaneously opened a bottle of wine...
As their mutual affection developed, Sam couldn’t keep away from Ruth. He broke up with Kirsty and said that Ruth was the only woman for him. Ruth knew the situation was huge, but admitted she loved him too...
Ruth and Sam (2006)
November:Usha was alarmed when David told her about Ruth spending a night with 'an old friend', and put two and two together when she saw Ruth with Sam. Usha warned Ruth but Ruth insisted that Sam loved her and she loved him. Ruth insisted that neither she nor David were happy. Usha begged Ruth to think about what she was doing. Once Ruth has slept with Sam she can never go back from it. Was that really what Ruth wanted?...
Ruth and Sam (2006)
Taken from the Ambridge Affairs collection.
Shortly following this, and to David’s amazement, Sam handed in his notice and left. David was surprised Sam hadn’t said anything to Ruth - after all, they always got on so well...
December: Ruth thanked David for buying the anniversary card for Pip’s sake, but he told her it wasn’t the reason he bought it. He had been thinking and eighteen years was a lot to throw away - he’d like to try.
In 2007 David told Kenton that Ruth and Sam had an affair and that he was still finding it difficult to come to terms with it...
Whilst the relationship will still be at the back of David's mind, Ruth and David's marriage regained its strength and together they have faced and overcome a number of challenges. Through it all, they're a team (well, almost always!).
So where is Sam now? New Zealand? Australia? He did work on a dairy farm in Taranaki, NZ, and loved the whole Blue Mountain region of Australia. On the way back from Australia he stopped over in Singapore -perhaps that's where he's set up home...
...or perhaps he's having a very low key pint with Gary Horrobin in the Dog and Trumpet...
