10/06/2025

Stella has a meeting with Justin. He’s decided to meet her on Lakey Hill – he wants an overview of Home Farm, both metaphorical and physical. Stella reports on her findings regarding the positives and negatives of the ecology. There are more debits than credits, but Stella observes they were expecting that. It’s a mixed picture, and Justin intends to act on it. He'd like to take BL's land out of food production and rewild the Berrow estate. Stella’s shocked – surely the Board won’t support a halt on producing food? Justin’s pretty confident they will with his persuasion. He’s happy to take the flak. Stella expresses concern for Home Farm but Justin assures her the legal obligations will be fulfilled. This will be his legacy. He wants to leave Ambridge in a better state than when he arrived.
Crispin arrives fresh from a six mile run. Kate’s surprised at his level of fitness and Jakob notes Crispin’s known for his performative athleticism. Settled for his massage, Crispin assures Kate all’s set to run smoothly at Thursday’s funeral. Kate can see why Peggy wanted him in charge. She continues to chat quietly before realising Crispin’s not responding and can’t be roused. She rings Jakob in a panic – she’s killed the vicar! Jakob calms her down and an ambulance is called. As Crispin is tended, Phoebe turns up a day early for a planned visit. As Jakob soothes wired Kate, Phoebe catches up with the situation. It dawns on them that Crispin may not be well enough to officiate at Peggy’s funeral.