25 February 1997

Characters: Caroline, Clarrie, David, Eddie, Jill, Phil, Ruth

• Clarrie’s cheque has finally arrived – it’s for too little, but Clarrie’s going to re-start stuffing now anyway.
• At the Brookfield summit over the herd expansion, fireworks fly. Ruth’s detailed preparation is beyond question and her figures say that a £70,000 investment to increase quota can be mirrored by a production increase which, in turn, will pay itself back, even if the quota is worthless after 2000.
• Phil (and Jill) aren’t so confident that the risk is so sure and aren’t keen to procede, while David is doing a good job of sitting on the fence. Ruth explodes with frustration and throws a hissy-fit, storming out (defying anyone to blame it on her hormones).
• Caroline rejects Clarrie and Eddie’s request to be their character witness, citing the potential for Simon’s lawyers to play her relationship to Simon against them. (Eg. bitter over the nature of Guy’s bequests and painting it as a family spat.)

Summarised by: Chris Harrison