30/07/2025

David finds Stella taking time out from stewing over Justin’s plans for the Estate land. Stella admits she feels the whole mess is at least partly her fault. Despite David’s reassurance that things won’t turn out as badly as she thinks, Stella’s not convinced. Stella then confides how hard she finds being a parent to Rosie. David tells Stella she can always talk to him and Ruth whenever she finds things are getting on top of her, especially with Brian and Justin. He sympathises with Stella’s view that she just wants to be left to get on with farming. Whatever happens at the Board meeting on Friday, David tells Stella, she should keep her focus on that.

Jolene has invited Ed, Mia and the family for a free meal at The Bull, though only Emma is with them. When Mia keeps getting messages she blurts out that she’s seeing someone at University, Jesse. But they’re not rushing into anything like moving in together. Ed and Emma are the first people in Ambridge she’s told about Jesse. But after what Amber told Mia last week, about Brad still liking her, Mia decides she has to tell Brad straight away. Then, when Jolene mentions it’s Brad’s birthday, Ed and Emma wish they’d stopped her going, but it’s too late. Emma compares Mia’s uncomplicated and carefree life with George’s, stuck in prison and planning to marry someone he barely knows. It could still all go well, Ed thinks, but Emma reckons it’s just as likely to all come crashing down.