25/01/2023

Pat tells Tony that Lilian’s very jittery, convinced she could have done something more to prevent Jennifer’s death. She thinks Tony could ease this situation by confessing what he knows. Tony’s not sure. He talks to Lilian, entreating her not to blame herself for not being with her sister all the time on their trip. He can promise her it wouldn’t have made any difference. Tony admits that Jennifer had confided in him that she was ill, and he was sworn to secrecy. Lilian’s shocked and hurt. Why did Jennifer choose Tony – what about her, Lilian? Tony and Pat try to convince Lilian that it wasn’t because Jennifer didn’t trust her, more that she wanted to spare her having it at the back of her mind. When it’s clear Pat knew too, Lilian’s incensed. The two of them let her go away with Jennifer without telling her! Stung, Lilian leaves.
The Aldridge siblings are gathered at Willow Cottage. Adam arranges flowers while Kate heats some food in the hope of tempting her dad to eat. Alice can’t persuade Ruairi to join them – he’s in his room pleading uni work. Adam stumbles on some doctors’ notes relating to his mum, which lists aortic stenosis as an existing condition. Brian admits he’d known since November. He explains Jennifer didn’t want to tell the family, or have surgery – they’d been through enough. As the siblings bicker, snipe and apportion blame, Ruairi comes in. He tells Alice Jenny’s had the last laugh keeping her secret. And without her they’re already falling apart.