Is Brian’s conscience catching up on him? Maybe it’s just the whisky.

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Radio Times: Brian finds a sympathetic ear.

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  • Debbie is preparing to give the sheep a treat, a “jab in t’arse” as they say in Yorkshire; it’s a one man job, she doesn’t need Brian to help. He will get on with some office work; no, not what you’re thinking, he really is staying in the office. Debbie has had a letter saying that Simon will admit to the adultery, so he won’t contest the divorce. So that’s one less thing to worry about.
  • David is looking after Ben while Ruth “sees to” a heifer. Her mum has been allowed to sleep on; it seems she is bent on going home straight after Christmas. She emerges in time for a potted lecture on the intricacies on insemination and then takes over Ben-duty.
  • In the sheep pens, things are not going well but Debbie can still manage! Brian knows her better than that. She feels slow and unable to concentrate; eventually she gives in gratefully and leaves Brian to finish off.
  • Back at Brookfield, Heather delivers an apology; she knew she wasn’t getting by on her own but did not want to admit it. There will be no more talk of going straight back after Christmas.
  • David has called at Home Farm to see Debbie, on business but also to see how she is. Instead he takes up Brian’s offer of a drink, since he has just finished with the sheep.
  • Jennifer, who earlier had moved some things to the cottage to make Debbie more comfortable, finds her in tears. The sight of Jennifer’s Christmas tree brought a lot of memories back all at once. No second thoughts but there were good times.
  • Over a whisky, Brian pours out his feelings to David. Debbie has been so terribly hurt. He feels he doesn’t understand anything; what makes people hurt the ones they love? You don’t have to be especially evil to be capable of lies, deceit and betrayal – in the right circumstances. He and David, they have seen it all before, lives wrecked, torn apart in the name of love. It’s all such a mess, such a terrible mess.
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