Week Beginning: Sunday 7th March, 2010
Sunday 7th March
Hayley, Roy, Phoebe, Kate, Pat, Helen, Vicky
- Hayley adds last-minute touches to Abbie's birthday party arrangements, but is very apprehensive about Kate's imminent arrival. Phoebe can't wear the dress Kate brought with her, because it's too small, but is eager to show Abbie and their new house to Kate. She manages to put her foot in it by commenting that Abbie speaks much better than Sipho.
- Helen uses the Bridge Farm computer to research preconception care. Pat's worried that Helen's approach to her baby plans is wrong; she's missing out on the romance. Helen comments that romance has not featured greatly in her relationships, and Pat's forced to admit that Tony's response to the news of Pat's third pregnancy was 'bang goes our chance of expanding the dairy herd.'
- Kate is stunned by Vicky's full-on approach, and seizes an opportunity to get away from her and join the party. Roy tries, rather lamely, to defend Vicky, but Kate's not happy when Vicky later comments on Hayley's skills as a mother, and the way Sipho has taken to her.
- Kate's even more upset when Phoebe tells her she doesn't listen to what Phoebe tells her about school. It seems she can't get anything right. Roy tries to cheer her up; by the end of her stay she'll know everything.
- After the party, Hayley tells Roy that Kate just wants to be the centre of attention, and to pick up where she left off, without a thought for them. Even more lamely, Roy tells her it will be different this time.
Summarised by Jo Saunders
Monday 8th March
Jude, Pip, Nigel, Elizabeth, Kate, Jennifer
- Jude takes Pip out for a meal. Pip seems impressed that there's a two-for-one offer. Jude wants her to come away with him in the Easter holidays, to a foreign music or film festival. Pip doesn't seem very sure about the idea. When Jude asks whether she's sorted out some driving practice, she reminds him that he had offered to let her drive his BMW. Somehow Jude doesn't seem very sure about the idea.
- Jennifer puts Ruairidh to bed, and Kate comments on what a marvellous job she's made of him. She realises it must have changed Jennifer's life entirely. Kate is still sore about her failure to relate to Phoebe.
- To Pip's dismay, Nigel and Elizabeth come to the same restaurant, and because it's so full, Jude invites them to join him and Pip for a drink. Pip is not pleased. While Nigel and Jude fetch the drinks, Pip asks Elizabeth about the age gap between her and Nigel. It seems that Pip has been somewhat economical with the truth; Jude will be thirty next birthday. Elizabeth tells her that David's reaction is borne of his wish to protect his little girl.
- Kate shows Jennifer a child-care manual she's written for the orphanage at which she volunteers. Wistfully, she says she'd like to do more with her life. Jennifer reminds her of the rate at which children grow up, but this serves only to remind Kate of the gulf between her and Phoebe.
- Jude tells Pip that his insurance would go sky-high if she were to practise on his car, so maybe she'd better ask David to sort something out. Since Nigel and Elizabeth haven't managed to get a table, he suggests that they share one; Pip is not pleased, but Nigel and Elizabeth decline the offer. When they're alone, Nigel comments that Jude is too old for Pip. Elizabeth thinks David is going the right way to alienate Pip.
- Kate seems unwilling to talk about Lucas. Instead she wants to hear all the Ambridge gossip. Jennifer tells her about Matt's mother and arrival on the scene of Paul. She couldn't believe that Lilian actually wanted to attend the funeral. Luckily, says Jennifer, I talked her out of it.
Summarised by Jo Saunders
Tuesday 9th March
Lilian, Paul, Pat, Tony, Helen, Tom
- Lilian arrives at the Crematorium for Matt's mother's funeral. Paul is touched that she's there, and wants her to meet his children afterwards. He'll introduce her as his friend. His mother had no friends, and not all the family are there, so it's a sad little funeral.
- Pat tells Tony that Helen's on her way. She's had her second session at the clinic, and wants to tell Pat all about it. Tony heads for the silage clamp, out of earshot, but before he leaves, makes his feelings very clear; Helen's making a terrible mistake. This won't change anything. For someone as fragile as Helen, it can only spell disaster. Helen arrives as Tony is in mid-flow.
- Lilian is impressed by Paul's children, but he's upset that they won't stay after the service. Lilian wonders if it's because they think she and Paul are an item. Since there is no-one else, Lilian suggests they have tea and cake.
- Helen gives Pat all the details, and surprises her mother by saying that she intends to take the clinic's advice to gain some weight. She recognises that her eating disorder is a control mechanism. The baby idea has changed her - she's got a new focus.
- Lilian confides her anxieties about Matt to Paul. He's sympathetic and tells her she's got a lot to shoulder.
- Tom arrives and chats to Tony, who wants him to try and talk sense into Helen. Tom refuses - any sort of opposition always makes her more determined. She just has to be in control. Tony takes comfort from the thought that Tom and Brenda will marry and have a baby. Oddly, there's no answer from Tom.
Summarised by Jo Saunders
Credited scriptwriter: none specified
