16/02/2023

Brian and Alice chat about the situation between Lilian and Tony. Lilian changed the subject when Alice tried to broach it. Ruairi’s still not answering Brian’s texts. Alice insists he’s not sulking, he just needs space. Alice brings up Roy and Kirsty tidying up Brian’s garden, pointing out that they were only trying to help. When Alice steers the conversation to Jennifer’s funeral arrangements, Brian won’t engage.

Kirsty and Roy struggle to fit Phoebe’s dressing table into the car to take to a charity shop. Roy’s surprised that Kirsty doesn’t object to the proposed charging station, whereas Jim’s drawing up battle plans. Brian offers to help them load the table and then asks if they need help with anything else. Kirsty suggests moving some other things out of Phoebe’s old room. Brian agrees but wonders if they could help clear his garden rubbish first? Once that’s done the garden will almost be up to Jennifer’s standards.

Alice is furious with Ruairi when she arrives home to find him with half-naked Max in her living room, surrounded by evidence of a drinking session. She’s at her wit’s end and sick of making excuses for Ruairi to Brian. Ruairi packs his bag to return to London, refusing to resolve things with Brian before he goes. Ruairi’s appreciative of everything Alice has done for him. He assures Alice that his return to London has nothing to do with Julianne. They hug goodbye and say they’ll miss each other. As soon as Ruairi’s left, Alice frantically calls her recovery buddy, Lisa.