01 August 1997

Characters: Bert, David, Hayley, John, Roy, Sean

• Hayley’s practising the lines with John, he’s struggling, but still in credit over his stepping into the breech. Roy’s rubbing it in and is suspicious of the situation.
• David sees Bert doing the milking without gloves and really lets rip at Bert. He’s absolutely livid and Bert, wonderful stoic, stands and takes a real ear-bashing.
• Roy confronts John who admits that while he didn’t actually warn Damien off, he did have a word with him about the history of Lynda’s production and the various situations that have developed in the past and whether his bright future would be best served in such an amateur environment. Roy’s impressed and, sort of, promises to keep schtuum.
• Bert gives Sean the name of a potential replacement scorer, something which David had been asked to do but forgotten.
• David sheepishly apologises to Bert, who admits there was no excuse for his not wearing the gloves and David admits that it’s been a stressful week and Bert didn’t deserve the tongue-lashing he got.
• In principle, Richard has agreed to allow Janet to have a room in the surgery so she has somewhere private to talk with her parishoners.
• The Cat has a new barmaid – Roy approves! – although he’s less sure when Sean mentions that Trish is Kate’s replacement, not a substitute.

Summarised by: Chris Harrison