08/11/2021

Johnny reports to Helen that Natasha’s been poking around one of the Bridge Farm sheds while he was milking. Helen fills him in on the reason for Natasha’s apparent interest, and reassures him. She’ll have a word. Later she reports the deed is done, and that Natasha was perfectly reasonable about it. Helen comments that Natasha is lovely, and good at business, but there are some aspects of farming and the family that she doesn’t get at all. She’s already upset Tony, and now Johnny. Lynda’s eager to ensure Jazzer turns up for rehearsals. Tracy promises to chase him. Lynda’s still without a God – no-one in the village can live up to Bert Fry. Their chat is interrupted by Roy, who would rather Tracy focused on more urgent tasks at hand than take personal phone calls at work. Later Roy has more bad news. A prior commitment to his family in Birmingham means he can no longer play Judas. Lynda’s pleas to him to cancel fall on deaf ears. He doesn’t want to miss an overdue trip to see his dad. Lynda despairs; the whole project is starting to unravel. Producer Kirsty offers to step in and help, but doubts she’ll be able to dissuade Roy from his trip. Lynda has a brainwave – perhaps Oliver could tell Roy he’s indispensable at Grey Gables at New Year. She tries to flatter reluctant Kirsty into talking to Oliver, using a business spin: she needs to get Oliver to recognise the reputation of Grey Gables is at stake.