21/08/2018

Emma spots Usha leaving Blossom Hill Cottage, which she has been checking over before the new tenants arrive. Emma criticises the rent Usha charges and complains about the difficult housing market. Emma then brings up the Beechwood development - she thinks that reducing the number of affordable homes was planned all along. Usha beats a hasty retreat. When Emma later raises the issue with Neil he tells her she won't be able to take part in the council meeting about the development as she's an interested party. Emma is indignant.

Elizabeth visits Usha at work to discuss Freddie's case. Usha is concerned that Freddie will make his situation worse by not coming clean about Ellis' involvement, although Freddie's age and lack of previous convictions are in his favour. They decide Elizabeth should ask Neil for a character reference for Freddie as he did one for Helen; however, Neil feels he can't do it.

Helen's struggling with Henry and offloads to Ian over lunch. She tells him she's looking forward to Henry going back to school but quickly apologises, remembering Ian's difficulty with Lexi and the surrogacy. Ian reveals he actually wants to talk about the Borsetshire Blue: it's bland and until Helen can improve it, he's taking it off the menu.