Episodes
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There’s life-changing news at the hospital, and Kate fears the worst.
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Alistair and Denise are driving to a hotel after an enjoyable dinner together. Nervous, they chat about the evening to come. They screech to a halt as Alistair spots headlights in the water – a car has gone off the bridge into the Am. George, frantic, is on the scene. They hear Mick shouting and George helps Denise pull him out of the water, Alistair goes to help Joy. He and George drag her to the shore but she’s unconscious having hit her head. To their relief she’s breathing and has a pulse. But then Mick tries to wade back in – Fallon is still in the car. Desperate, she screams for help, trapped as it fills up with water. George dives in again and Denise tries to follow. Alistair begs her not to even as Fallon reaches the surface. The back door was jammed on rocks on the river bed so George got her out of the driver’s side. Shortly afterward he makes it back to the surface too. They’re all alive! Denise praises George and Fallon thanks him.
Then he hears sirens and dashes off. Alistair goes after George. Meanwhile he is busy shifting Alice into the driver’s seat of her car. He apologises to her but what else can he do? When Alistair arrives George tells him she has necked a whole bottle of vodka. Alistair remembers bitterly that he saw her buy it at the shop earlier that evening. As the emergency services arrive to speak to George, Alistair is distraught. Thumping the car he says: ‘Oh Alice, what have you done?'
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Missing episodes?
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Brian gives painkillers to a groggy Alice. She is hungover but claims she’s ill. She denies drinking but Brian tells her lying is not going to help. Chris arrives – Alice forgot to pick up Martha. Chris guesses she has been drinking and Alice storms off so Brian fills him in. She returns, furious. Chris reassures her she can see Martha as long as she’s sober. But all she hears is the threat of losing access. Brian says Jennifer would be so ashamed of her and, hurt by his words, Alice walks out.
George is at the shop looking for drinks for a party. He can’t afford much and Joy tells him fruit cider is on offer. In the end he has to settle for it. Alistair pops in and says he’s having a quiet night in and Joy mentions Denise bought an expensive bottle of sparkling wine for a night with friends. Alice arrives and despite Joy telling her the shop is closed insists on getting a few things. She picks up snacks, demands some vodka, pays and rushes out. Joy says she shouldn’t have sold her the drink but Alistair says Alice is an adult.Later George is on the way home from the party when he comes across Alice slumped, drunk in her car. He leaves a voice mail for Will saying he’s going to drive Aunty Alice home. En route she feels sick and starts trying to open the door. Distracted, George swerves and hits an oncoming car which crashes into the river.
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Miranda is revelling in Lilian’s discomfort at her being there in The Bull for the pub quiz. Brian is determined to win but Kate is not happy with the team name. Alice is late, and Jakob is on edge. With good reason it seems after Alice turns up and, clearly the worse for wear, starts making a nuisance of herself. The family is mortified and Jakob is all for sneaking her out quietly but they have to wait until a break in the quiz. Brian suggests they make a quick getaway but Lilian doesn’t understand why they want to leave until Alice, slurring, says the night is just getting started. When Jakob tries to take her outside, she starts making a scene. Back at the cottage, Brian says none of them saw this coming. He can’t believe they’re back in this situation. Alice goes to bed, saying Jakob is the only person who is kind to her. From this they work out Jakob knew she was drinking again. Brian erupts and throws Jakob out.
George is treating Will and Emma to dinner at Grey Gables. Emma thinks the hotel’s new uniforms are shocking but is evasive when Will asks what she thought of the tee shirts and fleeces he bought for the tree surgery business. She suggest, diplomatically, that his name for the business is ‘a bit of a mouthful’. Emma is horrified by the prices on the menu. And when the mains arrive, vegetables are not included and George can’t afford pudding. Despite this they appreciate George’s gesture.
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Eddie is in good mood. He has borrowed the fortune telling booth from the Ambridge fete. He is giving it a coat of paint and tells Will he is working on the next stage of The Bartleby Experience. He plans to charge people for a special message from Bartleby. Will is concerned how George will react. Later George turns up and tells Eddie he wants the sign he has put up removed. When Eddie tells him about the booth, George says they are wrecking a social media sensation. He storms off, shouting that the sign and the booth must go. Later, as George threatens to take a hammer to the booth, Eddie tells him visitors paid £30 a time for messages from Bartleby. Will plays peacemaker, insisting that Eddie must split the cash and that George must use his share of the windfall to do something good - like taking his mother out for a meal.
Alice bumps into Jakob at the shop while he’s buying ingredients for a meal Kate is cooking this evening for Miranda and Brian. He’s not looking forward to it and persuades Alice to come along. That evening, Alice promises not to interrogate Miranda like Kate did. Brian jokes there could be knock at the door at any moment, and another member of the Aldridge clan turn on the doorstep. The meal is a success and they press gang Miranda into their pub quiz team for tomorrow night at The Bull.
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Denise is teasing Alistair about his dancing and as they work they get distracted talking about what might have happened in the church hall if they hadn’t been disturbed by Joy and Azra. Far from being uncomfortable, Denise thinks they should just choose a better time and place. They chat about Bartleby – Jakob is considering having a word with the Grundys because all the extra attention can’t be doing Bartleby any good. Alistair asks Denise if she has plans for this evening – he has Greenacres to himself. Denise is keen, she just needs an excuse to tell John. Later after a takeaway meal, and tucking into a second bottle of Jim’s fine wine, Alistair suggests they move somewhere more comfortable. But Denise doesn’t think Jim’s house has the right vibe and proposes they book a hotel room where they can really relax. Alistair misunderstands, saying they should call a taxi because he’s had too much to drink. But Denise explains she means they should make a booking at the weekend - John is away on Sunday night.
Jakob is checking on a horse at the stables when Alice suggests that maybe he doesn’t need to check on her sobriety every day. Jakob says he’s not happy keeping her lapse from Kate but Alice tells him to stop worrying and she lies about having checked in with her detox buddy, Lisa. Alice offers to make Jakob a cup of coffee and, when he asks what Lisa thinks about her having a drink, she gets uncomfortable and has to spin ever more elaborate tales.
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Alistair is clipping Monty’s claws as he and Robert agree what an asset Denise is to the vet’s practice. They chat about Sunday’s cricket win over Darrington and Linda’s worry that she might not get enough volunteers to prepare the teas for the T20 match during May Bank Holiday weekend. Jim arrives with Alistair’s forgotten packed lunch. They agree to meet for a drink later at The Bull. Robert remarks how happy Alistair seems these days and says he might adopt a similar approach to working with Lynda. Instead of getting annoyed, he’s going to focus on him and Lynda being a team. Later at The Bull, Jim offers to help Robert with his ancient mystery puzzle and they agree to make a night of it. Alistair joins them and, while Robert is at the bar, Jim says he will be spending the night at Ambridge Hall and Alistair should take the opportunity to spend some time alone with Denise.
George is not happy about Eddie’s sign advertising Bartleby The Talking Horse. Eddie thinks they’re on to a financial winner if they charge people to visit and take pictures with the pony. Linda arrives for a chat - with Bartleby (the cause celebre) – prompting an indignant protest from George that Bartleby talks about people, not to them. They risk damaging his brand. Eddie sharply points to George that were it not for his idea there would be no brand. George sulkily posts Bartleby and Linda’s gossipy video about a dancing vet but soon changes his tune when it starts racking up thousands of views.
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Alice is groggy when Jakob - hammering on the door - finally manages to rouse her. She needs to call the nursery as she forgot to tell them Kate would be picking Martha up. Alice is defensive when Jakob tells her Kate thought something terrible had happened when she didn’t answer her phone after calling in sick. Jakob’s suspicions grow when he notices Alice’s phone is under the coffee table, where its ringing should have woken her – then, as he’s about to leave, he notices a poorly-hidden empty wine bottle. Alice tries to talk her way out of it but he says he’ll have to tell Kate. Alice promises it’s a one-off and says she’ll call her sponsor, Lisa, if he’ll keep her secret. She says she can’t risk Martha being taken away from her. Reluctantly, Jakob agrees.
Chelsea is being trained by Emma at the Tea Room, although her experience at The Orangery has Chelsea overflowing with confidence. Robert comes in for a cup of tea and she is soon trying to persuade him to buy cake as well – her overselling of the various teas is overwhelming and he buys a cappuccino instead. Almost as soon as he has finished his drink she is fussing around him and urging him to buy another. He’s engrossed in a mystery game Lynda bought him for Christmas but Chelsea won’t relent and pretty soon drives him out of the Tearoom. She starts boasting about what she has done, but far from being impressed, Emma is horrified, saying Robert is a loyal customer.
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Lynda greets Azra as she takes a guided tour of Lower Loxley with Joy and Mick. Azra tells Lynda that her family will be renting a house on Beechwood. She adds that she and Joy went to the dance class at St Stephen’s and they were the only ones there, apart from Alistair. Lynda suggests Azra visit the herb garden and waxes lyrical about life in the countryside. But Azra has no desire to get involved in community events, particularly not Maypole dancing or the Ambridge Christmas play. Lynda points out tartly there’s something for everyone – the annual Flower and Produce, harvest suppers, summer fetes and even Bartleby the talking horse. What Azra prefers the clear air of the countryside and relaxing at home with a box set.
Chelsea can’t decide between a job at The Bull or the Tearoom but Emma has no time to chat – she’s busy with tree surgery business. Emma’s exasperated but realises Chelsea won’t stop until she gives her some advice. Chelsea really wants to be able to use her new job to find customers for her hairdressing business but Emma says that wouldn’t be appropriate. If it’s just about making extra cash, why doesn’t she choose the one that uses skills she already has, asks Emma. Chelsea notices a package delivered by Will earlier – it’s branded fleeces and t-shirts for the tree surgery business. The pair laugh at Will’s suggested name – Ultimate Arboriculture. Emma decides to save the gift until they are away on the course, so Ed isn’t tempted to thump Will.
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Azra reveals she is going to be moving in to Beechwood and, delighted, Joy quickly shares all her intel on the local residents, before inviting her new neighbour to join her later at Denise’s Dance Fit class at the Church.
Alistair has a pub date with Laura from the Little Croxley cricket team. The conversation quickly becomes stilted, and Laura politely asks what’s going on. Alistair is sorry for messing Laura about and makes excuses. The actual issue is someone else, but it’s complicated. Laura’s not offended but knows that it’s time to leave Alistair and re-join her friends who are sitting at another table. She wishes him well, and good luck with his “situationship”.
Alistair goes to find Denise at the church and explains that he liked Laura – but his mind was elsewhere. Denise laughs as Alistair recalls how he embarrassed himself, but gets upsets when she realises no-one’s there for her fitness class, apart from Alistair who’s volunteered to take part. Denise heads to the vestry to pack up her equipment. She admits everything is upsetting her – not least their work situation and fear of Paul noticing and wondering what’s going on. Trying to act normal is impossible, and then at home she knows that John knows something’s wrong but doesn’t want to talk. Alistair comforts Denise and they have a passionate embrace, but stop as they hear Joy and Azra arriving in the church, leaving flustered Denise to re-focus on the class. Denise and Alistair wonder what they’re playing at.
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Helen invites Joy round for a natter and her food selection reminds Joy of being in Corfu in 1989. Helen says she hasn’t had a girls’ holiday for years, and Joy eagerly suggests they go away together to a Greek island next year, with Kirsty too! Joy admits that Mick’s been elusive, and something seems a bit off, so perhaps it’s a good idea she hasn’t rushed to move in together. Azra turns up for her house viewing and realises she has the wrong address – but Joy quickly gets to know Azra and fills her in on the owners of the property she’s viewing. Joy and Helen watch a worryingly fearless Jack on Henry’s old skateboard. Azra returns and seems happy with what she’s seen, and shares that she has been warned about a local busybody. Joy has no idea they mean her.
Lilian finds Alice busily working at the Stables, before the Inspector comes back. Lilian wants to go through the report, but Alice says she’s on top of things. The rather severe Inspector leaves and Lilian’s relieved. They passed with flying colours and Alice played a blinder. She admits she’d been so worried about them losing their accreditation – it’s all been hanging over her, as she knows that it would have been her fault for taking her eye off the ball. But Lilian feels it’s water under the bridge. She compliments Alice on how well she’s looking – brighter than she has been. Lilian has been worried, but Alice says she feels better than she has in ages.
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Ed and Fallon chat about how much Emma’s enjoying fitness training and getting stronger. Fallon is dropping off a gift for Emma – a bonsai tree from a tea room customer, for good luck. Ed’s concerned that too many people know about the tree surgery before it has got off the ground. Fallon senses something’s amiss, and Ed’s admits he’s worried they’re making a mistake launching the business. It is a big change, says Fallon, and maybe that’s what Ed’s most scared of. She tells him to talk about it with Emma.
Alice goes to see Harry but finds Eve at his flat. Harry’s got a place at the treatment centre and Eve is tidying up. But she’s upset and struggling to cope, so Alice comforts her. As Alice talks about her own worst moments facing up to her addiction, Eve’s sympathetic and knows that Harry is in the right place now thanks to Alice. She apologises for how she treated Alice and will never forget what she has done for their family.
Lilian has been looking after Martha and, suspecting nothing, she asks Alice how her Pilates was. She congratulates Alice on being such a brilliant Mum. They talk about how they both miss Jennifer. Lilian offers to stay over and get a takeaway, but Alice is tired and ready for bed. Lilian insists that, at the very least, she will make her some food, and leaves with a word of reassurance. Once alone, Alice goes to a cupboard and finds a bottle of booze. She pours herself a glass, takes a deep breath, and drinks.
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Fallon joins Harrison at cricket practice with Henry. She feels sorry for Alice that it didn’t work out with Harry. But Alice seemed in good spirits on Sunday. Self-conscious Henry’s slightly peeved to discover Fallon is joining them, as wicket keeper, and he insists Helen just leave him to it. Henry’s a wild bowler but has a decent first go at batting, with lots of joshing from Harrison throughout. Helen comes to pick him up and is pleased to see Henry spending time with a positive male role model. In the car heading home, Henry jokes about how bad he was, and they agree he doesn’t need to make any decisions yet: about life or cricket.
Alistair examines a lamb with a broken leg and, gutted, Ed agrees to stump up for a cast. They chat about cricket and Ed teases Alistair about his ‘double win’ on Sunday, chatting up the Little Croxley captain Laura. Alistair and Denise are joking about a difficult cat that might even be worse than Hilda, when Ed turns up to return Alistair’s coat. He apologises for winding him up about Laura. Alistair tries to cut him off before Denise comes back, but Ed reveals all to Denise and says Alistair should call Laura. Denise agrees, if that’s what Alistair wants. Later, Alistair tries to explain to Denise, who says there’s no need. Alistair’s keen not to offend her, but they both know that things are very difficult at the moment. So, the next move really is up to Alistair.
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Harrison bumps into Henry as he heads home from school. Henry asks whether he needs new players for the cricket team. Later at Bridge Farm whilst collecting Fallon, Harrison gets chatting with Helen – he wants to thank Henry, who has inspired him to get a youth cricket team going again. He’d even be happy to give Henry some coaching. Helen’s confused - Henry hates cricket!
But after a chat with Henry, Helen messages Harrison to accept his offer. Henry explains to his mum that he doesn’t know if he likes cricket - his experience of the game came from playing with Rob, which wasn’t fun. He wants to see if it’s different with someone like Harrison coaching him. Helen’s impressed and thinks that’s a great idea.
Harry visits Alice to tell her he has stopped drinking and is booked into a rehab centre this week. Alice surprises him with the offer to come in for some tea, which turns into dinner and a bedtime story with Martha. Harry fears that he won’t be able to stop drinking, but Alice reassures him. Harry feels so lucky to have Alice, although they know they’re not together anymore. But without saying it, there’s still mutual love. They hold a last hug for longer than either intended, and end up in bed together. As Harry makes to get dressed, Alice berates herself for letting this happen – she shouldn’t have kissed him! They cannot be together: it would jeopardise both of their recoveries. Harry says he’ll go immediately, leaving a distraught Alice sobbing.
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Alistair’s grateful when Denise comes in for a work emergency, but things are tense between them. They agree they’d like to try to go back to being ‘normal’ with each other. Alistair invites Denise to his cricket match later, but Denise has to be at home, as John’s back – and they need to talk. At the cricket, Fallon thanks Alice for getting Harry to testify on Harrison’s behalf. Fallon is sorry it hasn’t worked out with Harry, but Alice knows it’s best for everyone, and she needs to just move on.
At the cricket Harrison asks Ed how the tree surgery enterprise is going. Ed admits he’s done some research and now realises what a dangerous profession it is. Harrison reassures Ed and suggests he tells Emma how he feels. But Ed says there’s no backing out now.
Ed’s a nervous stand-in for Will at the match but makes a good catch against Little Croxley. Their captain Laura protests that the ball came off her pad, and Alistair backs her up. Laura offers Alistair a drink as thanks, but he politely declines, so she gives him her phone number for another time. Denise arrives to surprise Alistair and can see he looks worried. He asks about John. Denise explains that their important talk was short-lived, and she suspects he is being evasive. Denise did express her unhappiness but can’t tell whether her husband knows what’s going on with their marriage. And he refuses to talk about it. She’s exhausted and just wants someone to tell her everything’s going to be alright.
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Mick helps Kirsty as a volunteer at the Rewilding for Primrose Day, and happily informs Kirsty he got the security job at Grey Gables. There’s loads to sort today with school workshops, and they’re joined by Lord Mayor Ruby Cosse. Sadly, there aren’t many primroses left in their desired spot so Mick sets to work on a new path and signage. Kirsty becomes fraught as a series of issues crop up, including the Mayor’s dietary requirements - the gift cake Kirsty prepared won’t be suitable. Mick hot-foots it to Bridge Farm to find something gluten-free, and mucks in to save the day. Kirsty’s so grateful she gives him the cake, which he looks forward to sharing with Joy – and Mick asks Kirsty to not let on to Joy the good news about his new job. It’ll be a surprise.
Lilian admits to Alice she’s treading on eggshells since she and Kate interfered in their concern about Alice. Alice knows that Lilian and Kate just care. But when Alice phones Harry to check in on him, as promised, she’s dismayed to discover he’s been drinking. Heading straight over to help him, Alice asks Lilian to fetch Martha, lying about having a meeting with Stables’ clients. Lilian can’t help, so Alice eventually asks Kate. As Alice deals with Harry, Lilian phones to say she’s free after all. As Harry makes noises in the background, Alice makes excuses and ends the call. Afterwards, unaware Harry thanks Alice for being his lifeline, but she feels she’s being dragged into a pit and can’t do this anymore.
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Brad dwells on his mistake with the cases yesterday, and Lily tells him to apply some zip and bounce to give people a warm welcome, also briefing him to up-sell welcome tea and pastries. Brad spots Mick and, not realising he isn’t a guest, offers him charm and a pastry – but Mick explains he’s come to see Roy to be interviewed for a security job. As Lily tells Brad to up his game, Mick reappears feeling hopeful about the job and moving to Ambridge, which he hasn’t told Joy about – it’s a surprise. Mick’s so grateful for Brad’s help earlier – Lily should look after such a good employee. Lily admits to Brad she’s been too hard on him. Brad stuns Lily by totally misreading what she’s saying, and pointing out that he realises that’s how girls are – giving someone a hard time who they actually fancy. He’s flattered, but in love with Mia.
Chelsea smashes her job interview with Natasha, and then soon after does the same with Kenton at the Bull. But when Kenton calls with a job offer, Chelsea says she’ll call him back. Gleeful Chelsea explains to Brad that she’ll wait and see what Natasha offers and then see about taking the better deal. Kenton serves Natasha and tells her about his call to Chelsea, who has replied to say she’s had a higher offer elsewhere. Natasha points out that Chelsea told her the same story, so she’s playing them both! Neither Kenton nor Natasha is going to up their offer – and they’ll make Chelsea wait to let her know.
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It’s the night of Fallon and Harrison’s luxury stay at Grey Gables and Fallon packs a little extra something for later - Harrison’s intrigued.
The Lord Mayor of Felpersham and her husband are checking in as well. Lily bamboozles Brad with instructions, but the Lord Mayor's impressed by Brad’s enthusiasm. However, Brad mixes up the two couples’ suitcases, and mortified Fallon confesses to Harrison that she packed costumes for them – Maid Marian and the Sheriff of Nottingham!
Lily becomes aware from Fallon that her case contains ‘personal’ items, so Lily and Brad go to the Lord Mayor's room with their case ready to return it. Having checked the room's empty, Brad goes inside. Lily gets Brad to retrieve Fallon’s case, but before they swap them the Lord Mayor and her husband approach. Lily invents a story about security to cover what they’re doing, and she and Brad don’t have a chance to check which case to give them. Brad takes pot luck, and afterwards Lily’s relieved as she checks the one they are left with is Fallon’s.
Fallon realises that whilst they got their case back, not everything was as it should be. The Lord Mayor comes over and chats with them, mentioning the Rewilding Ambridge scheme she’s looking in on tomorrow. As she goes, she leans in to Fallon and mentions Maid Marian – such an inspiring idea! Fallon’s left to ponder that the Lord Mayor did open their case – how cheeky! Harrison flirtily insists that Maid Marian needs to be interviewed under caution back in their room – where the Sheriff of Nottingham will be waiting for her.
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Chelsea is doing Fallon’s hair before her stay at Grey Gables tomorrow, and has pictures to show her for inspiration. Chelsea spots a notice on the tea room door and Fallon explains they’re looking for cover for Emma while she does her tree surgery course, and then potentially a permanent job. Chelsea’s interested, so Fallon offers to speak with Natasha. Later, Jazzer also spots a job going at the Bull, and they’re keen to speak to Chelsea. Chelsea has an interview on Thursday at the Tea room, though – but has a cunning plan to go for both jobs and expects two offers.
Alice has forgotten about Harry’s meeting tonight so rearranges childcare to go with him. Alice makes something up and asks Chris, but he’s busy tonight. He eventually misses his drink with Hannah to help as a last resort, leaving Hannah to chat with Fallon at the pub and mention she was meeting him – just as mates.
Alice phones Chris to check in, keeping up the pretence about work as she waits in her car for Harry after the meeting. Harry gets in the car and explains he hung back to find out about the next meeting. Harry’s so grateful and offers to come to Alice’s meeting later this week, but as she has been to his she doesn’t need another one. Harry vows to support himself from now on, as he doesn’t want to complicate Alice’s life. Alice would just like to stay in touch occasionally to check in. Harry agrees and says not to worry – he is on the right track.
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Oliver is keen to impress the Lord Mayor of Felpersham and her husband on Wednesday. Fallon and Harrison are also staying at the hotel on Wednesday, after Chris donated his prize to them. Harrison and Lily get chatting, as he’s at Grey Gables today giving a talk on crime prevention. Lily assures Harrison he and Fallon with have a memorable stay at the hotel, and he suggests he may put more business her way, with the Police ball coming up later in the year. Lily gives Harrison a tour of potential spaces, but finds herself talking down Grey Gables and making a case for Lower Loxley. Harrison warns Lily not to play a dangerous game, but Lily is confident she knows what she’s doing.
Alice drags Kate with her to see GP Azra, who’s not impressed by seemingly being used to settle a family argument. Azra wants to see Alice alone, and Alice apologises to Kate, who reassures Alice she’ll be waiting for her in the waiting room. Alice admits to Azra that she knows why she flared up at Kate and Lilian – she does worry about staying sober and has a fear of falling. Later they bump into each other by chance at the shop, and Azra talks about possibly moving to Ambridge. Alice is contrite and it seems to be a day for apologies. Azra seems aware that Alice has used her experience to help others struggling with addiction, and she warns Alice to be careful and look after herself first – she may need to keep her distance to be safe.
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