16/10/2023

Over lunch, Pip and Stella talk pets. Alistair arrives to attend a lame Hereford and Stella outlines the kind of dog she’d like. Alistair tells them to leave it with him. It comes out in conversation that Pip and Stella are now a couple. They agree it felt good to tell Alistair without any drama or questions. Unlike Jill, remarks Pip. Stella laughs that Jill did her best. Pip’s just glad they’re public now. Eddie seeks Alistair’s wisdom on Poppy’s growing guinea pig herd. He gets him to open the barmbrack Clarrie’s given him, and Alistair unearths a ring as his charm. Eddie declares he’ll be married within the year. Alistair laughs saying he hopes he defies that fate. Eddie hopes he’s coming to their Halloween Trail. Ian’s frustrated that Adil’s not answering calls. The Grey Gables kitchen is unfinished, and sub-standard. He tells Oliver the builders were ready to walk when he spoke to them. The place is a health and safety nightmare. He shows Oliver the kitchen, and Oliver agrees. Neither of them can understand the thinking behind some of the decisions. Ian remarks it might look like a kitchen to the people dining, but it’s a recipe for chaos. Ian questions whether Adil’s even competent. Oliver says they’ll sit tight for one more day, then he’ll call a meeting and make Adil accountable. Later Oliver confides to Eddie that he thinks it might be time to stop putting everything he has into Grey Gables. Eddie counters that they are both men of vision, and Oliver should hold on to his.