17/05/2021

Emma watches baby Martha for Susan, who’s determined to manage despite others including Mia being willing to help. Susan sticks up for Alice, who’s clearly trying. At the shop, Susan’s mortified by an error she’s made, sending out demanding payment reminders to local customers. She fears that everyone will think she’s useless at her job. Shula tries to persuade her to take a break from the shop, but Susan thinks she just needs to concentrate better. At Berrow, Neil’s distracted by texts from Susan, wondering when he’ll be finished. Brian was displeased at Emma shouting the odds on his doorstep. Neil apologises, and changes the subject to the sheep shearing at Home Farm. Brian needs some costing info from Neil, but Neil clearly needs to get home, which leads to Brian offering to help with childcare. They have an awkward moment as Neil insists they stick to what has been arranged. Brian makes a barbed comment. But then they have a heart to heart – trying to understand how things have got so bad between Alice and Chris. Brian’s more optimistic about them working it out, and Neil emphasises that while Alice is like a daughter to him, Martha is their priority. Neil reports back to Emma that Brian clearly hasn’t grasped the seriousness of the situation. Emma goes on full attack mode re the Aldridges, but Neil says to stop it. For everyone’s sake, not least Susan’s, they need to be constructive. Emma agrees, but it won’t be easy given how she feels about irresponsible Alice. Neil admits that the whole situation is breaking his heart.