31/01/2023

Alice interrupts Ruairi on the phone. He’s returning to London tomorrow. Alice tries to get him to stay until the weekend but he’s insistent he gets on with his life and will be back for the funeral. Over lunch Alice is desperate to engage Brian and Ruairi in an activity and suggests a boardgame. To Ruairi’s surprise, Brian opts for Cluedo.

As Ruairi sets up the game, Brian talks to Ruairi about Jennifer raising him. Ruairi stops in his tracks when Brian mentions gratitude. Ruairi won’t buy Brian’s view that Jennifer loved bringing him up and angrily tells Brian that neither of them deserved Jennifer. For him they should both be ashamed rather than grateful. Ruairi storms off.

Alice finds Ruairi about to leave Willow Cottage. Brian apologises but it’s not enough to make Ruairi stay. He feels like he’s always been the family’s dirty secret and in London he doesn’t have to pretend to be something he’s not.

Freddie tries to help out at The Orangery but only gets in Chelsea’s way and crockery ends up smashed. Freddie admits to feeling like a spare part. He feels he’s learned everything he can at The Orangery. Chelsea tells him to do something else, he’s a Pargetter – what’s stopping him? Freddie thinks his mum won’t trust him but Chelsea eggs him on. One day he’ll be running Lower Loxley and he’s done more than enough to prove himself. Freddie remains unsure but Chelsea tells him to go for it.