07/09/2021

Eddie can’t persuade Joy to travel in the back of his limo for her mystery tour prize – she prefers to be up front where she can enjoy a nice long chat with him. Eddie hurriedly improvises a new route, renaming it the mystery tour of Modern Rural Life. First stop is Borchester livestock market then a tea wagon stop-off on the bypass, Joy’s loving it. She chats about her planned entries for the Flower and Produce Show. Eddie turns on the sob story, and gets his desired result when touched Joy offers to withdraw this year. Neil tries to get to the bottom of Susan’s disquiet. Entreating him to be honest, Susan asks questions about his visits to The Stables. When she visited Shula yesterday she’s sure she looked embarrassed. Susan asks if Neil’s in love with Shula. Neil’s aghast, and denies this. He loves Susan. Susan cites their recent meal together at Grey Gables as an example of his quiet behaviour, but Neil thinks it might be her that’s changed. But Susan admits she can’t stop loving Neil, which he’s glad to hear. Neil apologises for his stupidity, and the air is cleared. He also apologises to Shula, admitting she’d been right about the gossip and he won’t call in uninvited anymore. He assures her he’ll always be there for her, as a friend. Shula says a pensive goodbye.