17/09/2018

At Bridge Farm, Johnny asks Tom about their plans for a dairy herd. Tom enthuses about how this will get them back into proper farming – albeit on a small scale. Johnny sees through him – he only agreed to the herd so that the family would consider his agro-forestry project in return. Johnny would be happy to manage the herd. Later, Tom finds Pat researching cattle breeds, and asks if she’s made progress in persuading Helen and Tony to consider agro-forestry. Pat urges him to be patient, but he’s irritated to hear that Tony still hasn’t read his research.

Ruth prepares to spend the day filling out cattle passport applications, and chats to Pip about how much they’re looking forward to having heaters in the new milking parlour. Elizabeth calls to ask what David might need for his birthday, and Ruth realises she must be missing Lily. Pip takes Rosie over to Lower Loxley for a visit. She tries to cheer Elizabeth up by talking about how fabulous Lily’s university experience will be – and how lucky she is to have her own flat. Elizabeth confesses that home feels very empty, and Pip offers to stay over. Elizabeth declines – she’d never want Pip to leave. She promises to arrange something after Freddie’s sentencing – it’s difficult to make plans until they know what’s happening.