27/01/2023

Sorrowful Alice can’t face washing her mum’s clothes. They smell of her perfume. Kate tries to scoop her up, but Alice won’t be comforted. She feels it’s all of their faults that Jennifer kept her condition secret. Their mum knew that it would be hard for her children, so she took the burden, as usual. And now it’s too late for them to put things right. Adam’s tense, and he and Kate bicker over crossed wires about some paperwork for the funeral director. Adam’s anxious to get things underway, and they need to be on the same page. Alice interrupts them. She’s found her mum’s journal. They read about Jennifer’s love for Brian, and what life has taught her. They realise she kept her secret not because she was always putting herself last, but because she was putting the good things first. They need to remember that, instead of bickering. David, Neil and Jolene discuss broken Brian. David wonders whether he did any good yesterday. Jolene assures him he did – Brian knows there are people outside of his grief bubble who care. Neil has an idea. He goes to Willow Cottage, where he finds Brian talking to Tony, and gives Brian a hug, assuring him of the support of his friends. He persuades Brian to come to The Bull. Cautiously Brian agrees to one drink, and enjoys seeing a picture of Jennifer as a child that Kenton found. As Brian makes to leave, Jolene suggests raising a glass to Jennifer. Despite his initial reluctance, Brian joins in the toast.