24/07/2024

At the tearoom, Elizabeth teases old-school Vince who’s pleased with how the mediation chat went. But Vince carelessly mentions Freddie, and Elizabeth is horrified to realise he was the bullying victim. Lynda talks about the village fête – it has a cost-of-living theme and Lynda insists that Joy and the committee need her expertise, not least working with local business leaders such as Vince. Annoyed, Elizabeth leaves Vince to talk with Lynda and he agrees to supply meat for Ian’s budget cookery demos, and to liaise with Ian about it. When Vince checks the date of the fête – 25 August - horrified Lynda learns that it clashes with the Stables’ ‘Cantering On’ event. Why did no one tell her?!

Elizabeth spots something on Hilda’s face – ticks, says Emma. Elizabeth grills Vince to explain himself – now she knows it was Freddie being bullied, she presses for more serious action. Vince assures Elizabeth that the problem has now been dealt with.

News of Alistair and Denise’s affair has spread and Emma and Fallon gossip. Pip’s worried about how Natasha is ploughing on with purchasing things for the hen party and Fallon’s persuaded to phone Natasha, managing to negotiate the ‘extras’ as freebies in return for some written testimonials. Pip’s chuffed, and is really keen she is to support Fallon’s enterprise. Not mine, Natasha’s, corrects Fallon.

Emma spots that Fallon is a bit flat and Fallon opens up about how she feels she’s going nowhere professionally. Emma mentions the EV charging station, where they are looking for someone to run the new cafe. Fallon doesn’t have to stay here.