01/08/2025

During a break in the Board meeting Brian and Annabelle rail against Justin’s duplicity and Martyn’s apparent capitulation, intimating they might even contemplate resignation. But when Justin later suggests his opponents should resign, Brian hits the roof. Martyn offers the compromise of a feasibility report, then closes the meeting. Later at The Bull, Martyn claims this as a result, brushing off Brian and Annabelle’s accusations that he has reneged on his previous position. Justin joins them, playing the innocent to their accusations of treachery, before arguing the case for his suggested food storage facility and vertical farming. When Brian lashes out Martyn suggests Brian’s in danger of losing the BL contract altogether. But Brian doesn’t give a damn – they can get someone else to do their wheat harvest!

Neil and Susan pick their way through the stock piled high at Ambridge View, worried about the effect the chaos is having on Martha. Susan admits to feeling sorry for herself too, so when Chris takes them out for dinner at The Bull later, Neil explains that it’s not just the shop getting Susan down, but also the business of Amber and Nana Ivy’s ring. Chris sympathises, but when he supposes it might be better for Martha to stay with Alice, Neil is quick to say that having Martha at Ambridge View is what’s keeping Susan going. But it’s Susan who then suggests Chris and Martha could find somewhere else to stay, if they want. Chris readily agrees and heads to the bar while Susan reasons to Neil that there’ll be more space to put the stock if Chris vacates his room.