A mercy mission for Ruth and David…
Brookfield was left in
disarray at the end of this week as Ruth and David rushed north to rescue
Heather, who had sprung herself from her interim care facility and headed for
home, mainly to check that Ruth hadn’t yet sold it behind her back. Once there,
she’d fallen and injured herself again, intensifying Ruth’s anguish: ‘If only
I’d rung me mum this would never have happened!’ she wailed, improbably. But
Ruth had been distracted by Pip’s good news: somehow she managed to get a 2:1
in her degree. ‘I’ll book a table at La Femme du Monde!’ said David, proud as
punch. ‘No, Dad, you have to go with mum to GrannyHeather!’ insisted Pip, whose way is now clear
for a few cans and weapons-grade flirting with Toby in the Fairbrothers’ new
caravan….
… and birthday blues for Shula and Kenton
Meanwhile Jill had a
much better week than Heather (not that this would be difficult). She decided to
throw a party for Shula and Kenton’s milestone 57th birthday (is that a milestone? Ed), which Shula
gamely offered to host. ‘You have so much going on Shula! The Stables, the
church, the WI…’ Jill trilled, little knowing her daughter secretly dreams of being
fed grapes by Richard Locke in a Provencal vineyard…
Soldier Dan is
expected for the weekend, which will cheer Shula up. But whether Alistair turns
up at the party remains to be seen, as he is always being called out to urgent
business meetings from which no business, mysteriously, ever results…
Meanwhile, it took
four strong women – Lizzie, Jolene, Shula and Jill – to persuade Kenton to
attend his own party. But even though David and Ruth won’t be there, the
birthday boy is likely to be more miserable than ever. The insurance company
has refused to pay to shore up The Bull’s foundations, which were crumbling
with damp for years before the flood. This means Kenton and Jolene’s plans for
porticos, picture windows and posh nosh are in ruins, with a bill of
£30,000-£50,000 to find first. And although Kenton hasn’t yet found a way to
blame David for this, he probably will soon…
10,000 more reasons why Rob married Helen
Rob is finding that
marriage to Helen is turning out even better than he hoped. Although Henry is
proving irritating by disrupting marital relations and playing too loudly with
his boat, Helen’s gran Peggy has come up trumps with a super-generous £10,000
gift.
‘Oh look darling; it’s
made out to Mr and Mrs Titchener!’ cooed Helen, as Rob whisked the cheque into
his wallet and checked his secret supply of Tipp-Ex.
Things are less rosy
on the work front though. With his forensic accountant’s hat on, Charlie has
been combing through the dairy data to see where the profits have been leaking
away. ‘I spend hours every week going through those figures!’ Rob growled.
‘Don’t you trust me?’ ‘We’re missing something, Rob. Shut the door on your way
out, will you?’ was Charlie’s
unsettling answer…
Summer fiction special: The Trials of Ian Craig
Chapter Four of our exclusive serial by
award-winning romantic novelist Lavinia Catwater, in which chef Ian Craig sees
his chance of happiness melt away…
Ian woke and turned to
Adam. ‘Morning mate! How’s your silly mid off?’ he giggled. ‘Didn’t we have a
great time at Edgbaston?’
Adam frowned and threw
the giant inflatable kangaroo that lay between them across the room. Shocked,
Ian asked: ‘What’s up? Did I embarrass you in front of Charlie? I’m such a
duffer about cricket.’
‘No, Ian, you were
fine.’ Adam smiled that irresistible smile. ‘Everyone loved your practical joke with the Panama hat and the pavlova. No, it’s this thing with Brian.’
Ian seized his moment.
‘Well, that’s simple,’ he said. ‘Take Debbie’s offer of a job in Hungary. I’d
easily find a kitchen, and you’d have more money, more security, and no Brian
breathing down your neck.’ (Or Charlie Thomas, he thought to himself).
Adam bounded out of
bed and headed for the shower. ‘This is our chance, Adam!’ Ian called after
him, hope flaring like heartburn in his chest.
*
Later that evening the
scene was set: the flat smelt deliciously of goulash and a bottle of Tokay was
chilling in the fridge. ‘Hi Ian, I’m home!’ Adam came in and flung his cricket
bag down. ‘We won by eight wickets. And guess what?’
Ian handed him a
glass. Had he called Debbie? Was their new life assured? ‘I’ve been to see Brian. I’m accepting his
share-farming offer.’ Ian’s world went dark, but he managed a smile. ‘Well, you
certainly know how to surprise a fella!’
‘I know, but Charlie
says, seize the day. Charlie says I’ll regret it if I go. Charlie says… Ian,
where are you going?’
‘Just turning down the
goulash!’ Ian rushed to the kitchenette, where he stuffed a tea towel in his
mouth to stifle his bitter sobs…
To be continued…
From the Message Boards
Our pick of what set
the Ambridge online community buzzing this week:
• ‘So Helen Archer
married Rob Titchener and couldn’t even pick up the phone to tell me! And I was
going to be a maid of honour! I think it’s a bit rubbish.’ KeirasMummy.
• ‘No smoke without
fire, I say. When people get married that quick, there’s usually a reason.
Anyway, does anyone on here know where I can get some name badges and tabards
personalised for the fantastic new village shop?’ Retail-is-Detail.
• ‘Well you should
know about shotgun weddings mum! LOL’
KeirasMummy.
[Please don’t make
personal remarks. Moderator].
• ‘I think it’s
romantic, just like when Chris and I went to Las Vegas. Five years ago now!’ AerospaceAlice.
• ‘Well, at least they
didn’t marry at Lower Loxley and put money in my smelly sister’s pocket! I’m
offering the happy couple a drink on the house (a 125ml glass house white and
half of Shires. Terms and conditions apply.)’ KrazyKenton.
(That’s enough. Ed.)
Items for sale
• Wedding magazines,
large collection. No longer needed. Free to a bride-to-be who's as happy as me. Apply: Helen Archer,
Blossom Hill Cottage.
• Wedding hat, made of
organic straw. Never worn. Apply: Pat Archer, Bridge Farm.
• Village pub,
crumbling a bit and ruined by David Archer. Apply: The Bull, Ambridge.
• Male child, answers
to Henry. Surplus to requirements. Top price urgently needed. Apply: R
Titchener, Blossom Hill Cottage. (This is
getting silly. Ed).
Naughty, but nice. Double plus good. Keep up the good work.
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