11/08/2021

Audrey and Hilary have escalated their complaint about the fete’s scarecrow competition to the local MP. Jim’s theory is that Hilary is making everyone’s life difficult because she’s bitter about not winning a parish council seat. With Lynda worrying there might be a law to support Audrey and Hilary’s case, Alan runs the situation past Usha. He tells Lynda that Usha has checked with a friend who’s been in a similar position and there’s no risk of the fete being called off. When Lynda learns the identity of Usha’s friend she wonders if that person would be the fete’s celebrity guest. She assures Alan the guest she’s already arranged (herself) wouldn’t mind stepping aside.
Alice has relayed Ruairi’s plan to go to Ireland but Jennifer didn’t realise that he won’t be returning before starting university. She tries to explain the reality behind Alice’s revelation that Jennifer came to her to disrespect Siobhan. Ruairi is empathetic, but insists he’ll never be same as Adam, Debbie, Kate or Alice. He’s determined to leave right now.
Jennifer drops Ruairi at the train station. Jennifer assures him that his dad is proud of him and that when Alice was being cruel it was only the alcohol talking. She thinks Ruairi is a wonderful person. Ruairi tells Jennifer she’s a proper mum to him. They say “I love you” to one another, and Jennifer insists that Ruairi is and always will be a part of the family.