09/06/2021

Fallon tell Chris she can’t join him for the night out Emma’s organised. She wouldn’t be able to bear to listen to everyone badmouthing Alice. Everyone’s being forced to pick a side, and if Alice is left out in the cold they have to think of the future, and Martha. She cites her own dad as an example of how things can be turned around. Chris thinks Alice is a long way off that. Fallon reassures him – he’s doing a great job. In turn Chris thanks Fallon for looking out for Alice while he can’t. Fallon agrees to the night out – she’ll come, if Chris makes sure Alice is not up for discussion!
Chris declares he’s grateful to Peggy for the talk they had at New Year about prioritising Martha. He takes strength from it whenever he’s tempted to wonder if he’s done the right thing. Peggy thinks Chris is brave. Jennifer arrives and is sad when Chris and Martha have to rush off. She shares with Peggy that she and Brian are looking into residential treatment for Alice. She gives credit to her mum for being a shining example of family not giving up on family – Peggy always stuck by their dad Jack. Peggy’s exercised by this show of gratitude. She admits to Jennifer that she’s known about Alice’s alcoholism for months, and that Chris to some extent acted on her advice. Peggy’s justifications around her own past experiences don’t wash with shocked Jennifer. How does Peggy think she was acting in Alice’s best interests? Jennifer blames Peggy totally for the current situation; she doesn’t see how she’ll ever forgive her.