24/05/2021

Clarrie’s incredulous Alice managed to hide her alcohol issues from her family for so long. She lists to Helen all the past misdemeanours she believes signposted that there was a problem. Their chat’s broken by Kirsty arriving for her first shift at the dairy. Clarrie starts to show Kirsty the intricacies of yogurt making, but there’s a mishap and Kirsty gets covered. Helen arrives back to find them both still giggling. Kirsty’s eager to know how Helen got on at the Beechwood house with Lee. He’s moved all his stuff in. Helen’s a little alarmed at how much there is – she hadn’t realised there’d be quite so many superhero figures and memorabilia involved. She’s not sure she can live with them so ‘in her face’; she might have to do some judicious re-arranging. Tony, Jennifer and Lilian meet in the Dower House garden. Jennifer’s at her wits’ end, especially now the police and social services are involved in Alice’s problems. She admits she had no idea what was going on and just thought Alice had been stressed with the baby. The siblings are sympathetic – no-one knew, Alice hid it very well. Alice doesn’t seem to want to be saved, though Jennifer knows she loves Martha. It pains Jennifer to think her daughter feels she’s not good enough. Tony and Lilian offer helpful suggestions, but the bottom line is Jennifer just wants her Alice back. When she’s gone Lilian admits to feeling guilty that she might have encouraged Alice. She and Tony agree ruefully all they can do now is be there for Jennifer.