02/12/2021

Lynda believes Eddie should take responsibility for finding a replacement for Benjamin, and bears him off to ‘audition’ donkeys at a sanctuary. They find a few likely candidates, but none that matches up to Benjamin for charisma and reliability. Eddie’s suggestion of Gem the pony is rejected by Lynda. She convinces Eddie to reconvene at the weekend. Rex is pleased Toby’s secured a vegetable wreath for Bert’s funeral. Toby comments it’s the end of an era with no more Hollowtree, and Rex vacating the bungalow. He feels he won’t be at Rickyard much longer either, notwithstanding his brother’s rejection of him as a housemate! Their discussion’s interrupted when Rex spots someone creeping around in the rewilding area. The mystery woman turns out to be Hazel, who quizzes Rex on all aspects of the scheme before revealing her identity, and making the point that it’s her father’s money which has funded it. She feels Jack would be thrilled, and she thoroughly approves of his legacy. She gets emotional and Rex takes her for a restorative cup of tea. Once recovered she admits she feels it’s an omission that Jack’s name doesn’t appear on the rewilding website, or indeed anywhere in connection with the project. They’re joined by Toby, who’s intrigued that his brother’s being cornered by Hazel. He reminds Rex after she’s left about Hazel’s past. But Rex shouldn’t worry; Toby’s sure Hazel’s not going to cause any trouble at all.