17 January 1997

Characters: Clarrie, David, Eddie, Joe, Ruth, Shula, William

• Joe and Eddie are taking James Miller’s advice and clearing up the farm, but are still angry that Simon is claiming ‘hardship’ but they are comforted that Shula is on their side.
• Melanie, one of Ruth’s cows, is getting worse and is dangerously ill with what appears to be mastitis. Further investigation suggests that it is a blood infection, possibly E. coli. In a fit of manly animal husbandry, David decides to inject antibiotics directly into the bloodstream
• Clarrie is impressed at the new look Grange Farm. Eddie thinks that having to disclose his accounts may make Simon think twice about continuing with the eviction.
• David’s intervention probably saved Melanie, and he promises to keep a better eye on the herd in future. Meanwhile, Ruth has discovered that the antibiotic milk problem was Phil’s fault, not David’s as she had assumed, and so apologises.
• Clarrie agrees to let William go back to help out at Home Farm at weekends, provided he doesn’t stay out late. Joe and Eddie are put out to find that Graham is replacing Shula at the estate office.

Summarised by: Chris Harrison