Oliver returns; Roy strikes up a friendship; plans for Caroline’s ceremony progress.

Radio Times: Shula shares all the latest gossip and Kirsty is forced to reveal her hand

Characters: Jill, Kirsty, Lexi, Oliver, Roy, Shula

• Shula picks Oliver up from his flight. He seems to be coping well enough but the foreign bureaucracy surrounding a death has got him down. Their conversation dwells on his loss and happier times. She asks him if he would care to put his rucksack on the rear seat but he declines the offer. Unlike on the flight, they’re not going to be separated again. Well, not just yet. He wants to hear all of the gossip. Shula manages to fill in the spaces; it’s all mainly to do with Matt, Lilian and Justin. Their journey continues in a companionable sort of way.
• At Willow Farm, Kirsty is rushing to be on time to collect Jill. They’re going to help close down the café. Roy spots several barbed comments from Matt in The Echo regarding Justin’s pig unit planning application. The doorbell rings just as Kirsty leaves. It’s Lexi. She’s come for a conversational English session, but Kirsty can’t stay. She volunteers Roy and scoots. Things are a little tense until they realise that they both share a love of Stephen King. Don’t you just love a little serendipity? Roy suggests that they talk over a cuppa.
• Walking to the café, Jill takes advantage of the opportunity to moan about the Duxfords, Brian, Jennifer, food prices, food banks and excess in general. She feels angry and rather ashamed that it’s taken her so long to see the problem. Kirsty tries to calm her saying that she’s working on plans to challenge the Duxfords in less obvious ways. Jill will have none of it, saying that Kirsty is keeping her in the dark. Kirsty makes a quick dash over the pedestrian lights leaving Jill in her wake.
• At The Stables, Shula finds Oliver checking over some of the horses, especially Bella, one of Caroline’s favourites. She invites him back for a whisky and soda. On the way, he recalls how Caroline loved the natural world and it’s cycles. She rather liked the thought of her atoms looking for another owner after her death. Still, onwards and upwards. Where’s that whisky?
• While packing away, Jill insists that Kirsty shares her plans. If not, she’ll scream. Rather than risk it, Kirsty explains that the sisters are having a PR event next week and that she has plans to protest with some friends, banners and the like. Jill demands to be let in on the action. When Kirsty returns home later, she finds Lexi leaving with a copy of Carrie. She gently chides Roy wondering if he still has access to his spreadsheet. Just a thought!
• After dinner, while Oliver’s helping with the dishes, Shula broaches the subject of Caroline’s ceremony. He hasn’t checked the readings as he’s sure that Shula’s choice will be spot on. Interestingly, he’d be very grateful if Alan would lead the event. As Shula says, being there as a friend rather than a vicar. She’s sure that he would be only too willing to participate. Oliver feels that it’s such a pity that Caroline can’t be there too, as she loved a good party.