15/07/2022

Alice covers Joanne at The Stables where Shula’s just finished a riding lesson with some young people with disabilities – her favourite part of the job. Justin says they’re on track for opening the cross-country course next month. When he goes, Shula mentions her plan for Equine Assisted Therapy and possible funding for community groups. Alice thinks it’s fantastic – it was spending time with Banjo, when she was at her lowest, that got her through. But later Alice lets slip to Justin about Shula’s plan, and he’s dismissive, calling it another of Shula’s ‘do-gooding’ schemes. Angry Justin says as much to Shula – it’s got financial disaster written all over it. Shula counters that making money isn’t the only focus of the Stables. When Alice intervenes, saying that private customers pay a fortune for this kind of therapy, Justin makes a U-turn and suggests Shula investigates it.

It’s Tracy’s day off from the chicken factory. She admits to Chelsea she misses the craic when she’s not there. Chelsea brings up Oliver sacking Tracy, but Tracy’s philosophical about it; she’s made friends at the factory and she, Chelsea and Brad are all in paid work. Things could be a lot worse. When Brad talks excitedly about haymaking, Tracy says it’s lovely seeing him all giddy. When he says Oliver’s really helpful, Tracy agrees that sounds about right. Later she and Chelsea are surprised by angry Brad coming home early. The haymaking all’s done; Oliver’s stupid telehandler finished it. There’s no more work. Chelsea exclaims that basically Oliver’s got Brad the sack too.