17/05/2023

Helen thinks it’ll be too stressful having more than two friends at Jack’s birthday party. Pat sympathises with Helen, especially now the issue with Tom and Natasha has blown up. Helen’s shocked when Pat tells her that Tony said he can’t work with Tom. Pat hopes she can bring them back together, for the sake of the farm’s future. Later, when Pat tries to talk Tony round, he tells her he’s lost faith in Tom. Pat points out it’s Helen’s feelings that really matter, as Tom’s business partner. The future of the farm is in their hands, not Pat and Tony’s.

Tom’s still in shock about what Tony said. Natasha agrees that life would be so much easier if they didn’t have to answer to anyone else. But Natasha thinks Tom can’t keep avoiding Tony. Tom has the germ of an idea, though. There’s an organic market garden in Evesham up for sale… Later, Tony apologises to Tom for flying off the handle. But Tony’s efforts at rapprochement come across as lukewarm, even with Natasha acting as mediator. Tom then reveals the idea of leaving Bridge Farm altogether, making it clear to Tony that it really could happen one day. They have a right to make their own decisions, even if that means making them somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Pat and Helen agree the police should do more to protect them from Rob. Pat’s convinced the stress has affected the way Tony is with Tom. She tells Helen she’s an example to them all, staying so calm and strong.