- Phoebe’s birthday bound to be a farce?
- Abbie’s not an artistic type?
- Hayley has a blonde moment
- Open Farm Sunday will be at Home Farm
- Grumpy bees
- Kate tries to be an adult
- Cakes and rifts
- Shula’s comeback to St. Stephens?
Phoebe’s birthday bound to be a farce?
It’s Phoebe’s 13th birthday at the end of this month.
So, Roy and Hayley are busy planning. Village Hall, DJ, ‘bouncers’ to stop any cider being sneaked in (the bouncers will probably be a rotation of dads).
Abbie’s not an artistic type?
Roy and Hayley were being nice parents, and praising Abbie’s clay modelling efforts.
But both had to ask what it was she had just made for them (turned out to be cakes and tea).
Not to worry Abbie. You’re only 3. Plenty of time to find your calling.
Hayley has a blonde moment
[Hayley] “Lynda saw an Ostrich in the Forest of Dean”
On Roy saying ‘you what?’
[Hayley] “No … Goshawk … .knew there was on o in it somewhere”
Bless.
Open Farm Sunday will be at Home Farm
Phew.
That kept me awake all night, worrying.
And David is also very relieved.
Though he feels like he should be doing it – especially as he is President of the NFU – but needs must.
[David] “Well it will be easier working as normal instead of trying to entertain the masses”
Wonder how the Aldridge’s will cope with the masses … probably first time they’ve come into close contact with ‘them’. Though, of course, there is the Carter side of their family.
Grumpy bees
[Jill] “They’re still quite grumpy in the third hive, I hope I don’t have to end up re-queening”
Anyone who’s read this blog will know that I love a bit of bee action.
Lovely to hear Jill talking about them, and that Josh is still interested and helping.
Marvellous.
Kate tries to be an adult
Earlier on, Hayley had been talking about Phoebe.
[Hayley] “She’s still got such a grump on about South Africa”
Considering it was Kate that caused all of the problem in the first place by promising Phoebe that she could live with her in South Africa, it’s only right that Kate tries to sort it out.
Very surprisingly, and quite out of character for Kate, she actually tries to do just that.
Kate doesn’t get off to a good start. She arrives at Roy and Hayley’s unannounced, when Roy is sat around in socks with holes in them.
[Kate] “Don’t worry Roy, I’ve seen you in much worse states, haven’t I?”
You could feel Hayley’s hackles go up at that one.
But down to business.
[Kate] “She (Phoebe) seems so unhappy”
[Hayley] “Well, she is getting tugged backwards and forwards rather a lot at the moment”
Kate explains that Phoebe’s heart is set on going to South Africa to live for a bit. Roy reckons it’s just what Phoebe “thinks she wants”. But Kate insists they still need to:
[Kate] “talk sensibly and calmly”
(blimey!)
Kate explains that “mum and dad” (Brian and Jennifer) will be paying for Phoebe’s flights. (wonder if they know about that). Roy explains he doesn’t want to lose Phoebe for a whole year. Hayley reckons Phoebe is too young to be making that sort of move. Kate thinks it’s an amazing opportunity at the right time for Phoebe (before she starts exams and such), and that Roy and Hayley need to think about it properly, “for Phoebe’s sake”.
When Kate leaves, Hayley starts on a ‘the nerve of her’ rant, but Roy isn’t so sure that Late doesn’t have a good point about this being an amazing opportunity for Phoebe.
[Roy] “What if we’re being selfish?”
But, Hayley seems to be thinking with heart not head.
[Hayley] “They’re both my daughters (Abbie and Phoebe), just the same, and I can’t bear to see her go for so long”
Roy reckons they’ve all got to compromise. Which is a point well made.
BUT – isn’t the real problem that Phoebe going to South Africa means that Kate will be looking after her?
Would any of us trust the care of a child (or anyone, of any age) to Kate?
Cakes and rifts
Shula and Jill are having a chat about the twins.
Seemingly Freddie was “enormously enthusiastic” about making cakes with Jill – to the point where Jill is still finding bits of ingredients around the kitchen – and Lily made a good Victoria sponge.
Shula reckoned that Freddie and Lily going to see Brookfield’s new puppy Tigg was a small step forward for Elizabeth and David, but Jill thinks not.
[Jill] “ …Roy took them … there was no change in her (Elizabeth) own attitude. If anything, she and David seemed to be accepting that it was a permanent rift”
Poor Jill. What a horrific situation for a mum.
Shula’s comeback to St. Stephens?
During times of difficulty, Jill could normally find solace in St. Stephens
[Jill] “And no matter how hot and busy life is outside, or cold and miserable, I’ve nearly always found great comfort there”
In a very poignant and moving speech, Jill explains that she can go to St. Stephens, sit quietly, and let go of her troubles. After which, she’d often find that she found a solution to her problems.
[Jill] “And very often, I’ve been filled with a certainty, a real sense of God being with me … that’s when I’d see if he had time to take notice of my little troubles. He always did”
But, not last week.
[Jill] “No, all I could think about was David and Elizabeth and this terrible row … I sat and prayed after the service. I couldn’t see any way forward. None at all. I felt so helpless”
So Jill wants Shula to come with her to St. Stephens this week. Even though Shula still hasn’t resolved her issue with Alan, Usha and ‘that’ statue …
[Jill] “I don’t want to be all on my own again”
Goodness. Phil is still very much missed.
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