03/10/2023

Alan asks Usha if she’s heard anything about Rob lately. As far as Usha knows, the family’s heard nothing from him since his access application was denied.

Oliver asks Emma how things are at the Tearoom. Emma reports she’s just keeping her head down and doing her job. Oliver mentions he’s still looking for housekeeping staff, but Emma declines. They chat about Emma’s English Literature course, and Eddie’s witch story of Leader’s Wood. Emma thinks it might have some basis in truth. Eddie swears blind he’s not making it up. Later Emma quizzes Alan on heaven, hell and spirits. She’s not sure witches deserved to be punished. Alan accepts she may have a point. Lynda overhears and offers to lend Emma a book on old Borsetshire tales.

Lynda’s keen to get information about the black tie ball, but Adil’s prickly with her. She hopes he’s not regretting ask her to organise things. She’s cancelling a holiday so she can focus on it. Later she asks Oliver whether Adil’s ok. He seems exhausted. Oliver’s thought the same. He asks Lynda to leave it with him. He suggests Adil takes some time away. Adil initially resists, but concedes Oliver’s right. He’ll take Friday off.

Alan speculates as to what might happen if Rob turned up again now. Usha retorts he’d be a fool to do that. There’s no reason for him to be around. Alan ventures that people like Rob can change. Usha’s pragmatic. All the law can do is look at past behaviour and weigh up current risk. Redemption is Alan’s arena.