10 June 1997

Characters: Bert, David, Janet, Lynda, Richard, Ruth, Tony

• Lynda’s decided on a provisional cast, including Jill as Tatania and Joe as Bottom. Janet mentions that a small part might be just the thing to allow her to meet more of the village socially. Lynda is ecstatic and later asks if the very major part of Puck would be alright. Janet’s unsure as whether her commitments would be up to it but Lynda’s convinced now!
• David and Ruth are wondering how they can get Phil to change his mind over the purchase of the estate land. David considers trying to make Ruth a full partner and try to railroad him, although Ruth advises against this, pointing out that he’s doing this because he feels it’s the best route, not out of any maliciousness.
• It’s the day of the vicarage auction and Lynda’s worried that it might be bought by a townie with no concept of village life beyond the flexibility of their large wallet. Janet, as a new-comer or just out of politeness, doesn’t point out the irony. Richard, meanwhile, has his ceiling figure finely calculated as he enters the auction room, which is the function room in a very busy Bull. He leaves the victor, having spent a little more than his budget, but happy that Ambridge has a new surgery in the village.

Summarised by: Chris Harrison