01/01/2020

Jolene is lamenting the death of Eccles. She thinks Kenton underestimates how popular the peacock was with the punters. She raises the idea of a memorial in the garden or a book of condolences. Kenton despairs. On hearing Jolene’s threats to call for an official police investigation into Eccles’ death, Kenton finally confesses it was he who killed Eccles. Jolene admits she knew all along – she found the feathers stuck to his car. He could at least have disposed of the evidence fully, but then Kenton never did do anything properly.
A feeble Jim has finally stopped throwing up, but is looking decidedly worse for wear. He surprises Alistair by saying he has every intention of performing the ghost stories that evening. Alistair explains to Elizabeth that he doesn’t think Jim will be up to it. She vetoes the idea of Russ acting as his understudy, and wonders if Robert will step in. Lynda even volunteered her services, but Elizabeth isn’t keen on the idea. She asks Robert to try reading the opening of one of the stories, under Lynda’s direction, but he falls to pieces. Elizabeth concedes that Lynda will have to perform, but just as the curtain is about to go up, Jim arrives. He takes to the stage.