22/05/2008

Alistair tells Phil and Jill that Shula's concerned at being branded a racist. They know she's put herself in an awkward position but feel this is taking it too far.

Jill receives a phone call from Diana, a lady they met in San Francisco. Diana has invited Jill to Sidmouth, but there's always so much to do that Jill knows she can't possibly leave Phil for a week. Phil's most put out at the suggestion he wouldn't cope, and insists that Jill goes.

While Ed and Oliver wait anxiously for Alistair, they discuss Joe's suggestion that TB could be caused by a lack of minerals in badgers' diet. When the first five cows test clear, Ed's full of hope. But three cows show positive lumps and it's depressing for all of them. Alistair tries to encourage Oliver but Oliver knows it's at least four more months of movement restriction and it's not good for the milk round. He mentions the mineral theory and Alistair agrees it's worth considering, even though there's no real evidence. Oliver can't see what he's got to lose. He's starting to give up hope. Sometimes all he wants to do is sell up and get the hell out.

Episode written by Adrian Flynn.