14/10/2024

Helen’s at Bridge Farm, dropping Jack off for Pat to take to school, when Neil arrives. He’s taking a week off work at Berrow, but can’t bear the idea of doing nothing, so offers to help out at Bridge Farm instead. Grateful Helen sends him off on a task just as Kirsty turns up. While Helen toasts bagels Kirsty bemoans how difficult it is trying to get a mortgage for Willow Farm. Helen then suggests Kirsty could either sell the Beechwood house or move in with Helen and the boys, at least temporarily, but Kirsty can’t imagine ever living there again.

Clarrie spots Neil working and threatens to tell Susan about his turn yesterday, if he doesn’t make an appointment with the GP. Then Pat talks to Clarrie about the possibility of keeping goats for meat, in connection with a school project Henry’s doing, before moving onto Apple Day. Overriding Clarrie’s doubts about the Grundys holding such a public event Pat thinks it could be just what the family needs to bring them together. If Pat can get away she’d love to bring Jack, Henry, Nova and Seren along. Then Clarrie confides her concerns about Neil.

Later, Pat encourages Neil to take a break and talks to Helen about the dangers, particularly for men, of keeping stressful feelings bottled up inside. When Helen seeks him out Neil confides how hard it’s been for the family, coping with the fallout from George’s actions and imprisonment. Helen mentions the benefits of counselling, only for Neil to gently but firmly resist the idea, before heading off.