12 February 1998

Characters: Brian, Debbie, John, Mike, Pat, Roy, Tommy, Tony

• Debbie’s decided to employ Mike to clear some woodland – although Brian’s not keen on the idea after Mike’s reaction to Kate’s pregnancy, he doesn’t block the idea. Brian and Debbie discuss their financial future, including whether to continue in venison, he’s even looking into making Sammy redundant.
• Mike’s another one complaining about the housing plans – he’ll be able to see it from Willow Farm. Apparently Christine has seen the plans and isn’t over the moon, either. Mike mentions to Pat that there was permission denied recently for someone on the grounds of refusing “suburbanisation”, and if that involved the planting of roses, maybe building houses on farmland might not get through, either.
• After convincing him, John and Tommy end up at Nicky’s birthday party. Roy and Brenda are there too. John steers Tommy over to talk to Gemma (Nicky’s friend) but, having seen Tommy’s struggling for words, moves in to help. The next thing he and her are dancing and Tommy’s on the phone to Pat for a lift home. As Pat arrives, John leaves with Gemma in tow and a fuming Pat promising vengeance …

Summarised by: Chris Harrison