10/04/2022

Beth helps Ruth in the yard as Ruth tells her about the plans to upgrade Brookfield’s winter housing and slurry storage. Ben mock-teases Ruth for boring Beth with slurry talk. Ben unknowingly hits a nerve, and Ruth leaves them to it but Beth is embarrassed that Ben was so rude. Beth learns Ben and Ruairi are covertly planning a house party next week with Brian and Jennifer away. Ruairi’s phone rings and Beth sees the caller ID: Julianne. Ruairi’s tetchy; it’s a uni friend and he’ll call them back. Ben and Beth suspect she’s more than a friend. Ruairi teases Ben for being awkward about inviting an old school friend because they are dating Ben’s ex, Evie. Beth agrees it’s not a big deal, and asks if Ruairi is inviting his uni friends? Ruairi tells them they’ve all gone home for Easter, none are local. Not even Julianne, persists Beth. Ruairi tells Beth to stop going on about her.
A put out Ruth asks Josh if she really goes on about slurry? Josh is sympathetic and tells her to ignore Ben. Josh wants to talk about solar panels. He thinks they should roll them out across the farm roofs. With energy prices about to soar and their consumption increasing it makes sense – the panels would pay for themselves eventually. Ruth tells him in an ideal world they’d jump at it, but they’re already borrowing so much money for the dairy expansion, there’s too much risk. Josh protests but Ruth is adamant; it’s a definite no.