27 November 1996

Characters: Clarrie, David, Eddie, Jill, Joe, Phil, Simon

• Clarrie and Eddie are having a day out in London at Smithfields (although it did sound like Joe on the tube!). Eddie’s still confident about Christmas and the whole situation and spends the day drooling over new equipment and dreaming about the new Grange Farm.
• David and Simon clash over Simon’s wish that Eddie not be used as labour on the estate’s land, even though David is farming it. David refutes the charge that he was using Eddie out of pity, but Simon uses the state of Grange Farm as evidence of a lack of competence. David doesn’t appreciate Simon’s tone and asserts that their contract gives him free reign over personnel. Simon’s gives him time to consider the implications for the future of his decision.
• David tells Phil and Jill about his conversation and they’re behind him, on principle they should go their own way without intervention lest it set a precedent.
• Later Simon visits Brookfield, he actually mentions the issue of contract renewal, but doesn’t want to make a big issue of it. When Jill says the Grundys need his support he says that “they don’t deserve any support at all”. After he’s gone Phil ponders on what Simon has to gain, as landlord and tenant they’re stuck with each other …..

Summarised by: Chris Harrison