¶ Intro / Opening
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¶ Post-Holiday Tensions and Brian's Health
It always looks so bare once the decorations start coming down. Mum used to do such a good job of the tree, didn't she, Tony? She did. Pat and I could never understand how. It was like something out of a stately home. Yeah, always colour-coordinated. She had this kind of almost scientific approach to it. Oh, can you pass some more newspaper, please? Oh, yeah. There you go. Thanks. And her wreath. Always real foliage. She'd never stand for anything plastic. Yeah, Christmas is a...
Officially over when that wreath comes down from the door. But I've tried to keep up the tradition, but I don't have a knack of making everything beautiful. Oh, I think you've done a really decent job this year. Oh, well, that's a bit threadbare. Some eucalyptus fell off every time Dad shut the door. It smells good, though. What's left of it? Jennifer would be mightily impressed you kept the tradition going. Yeah.
But I bet she'd be secretly pleased that no one else made Christmas as magical as she did. That's probably true. Well, thankfully, Martha has not inherited my lack of artistic skill, despite being only four. Speaking of which... Come on, give your favourite niece the gossip on Grand's art installation. I'm afraid I am just as much in the dark as you. We'll have to go along to the unveiling at the end of the month like everyone else. Well, consider me intrigued.
Do you want me to call Dad again? I don't know how long it takes to have a shave. Oh, no, it's all right, Alice. I only called in to ask if he'd be willing to lend a hand with some hedge laying. At Bridge Farm? Thought Brian might enjoy being out in the fresh air. He can hammer in some of the hazel steaks for me. I've already cut most of them.
Means I can get on with tidying the bark pathways. Oh, um, I don't reckon he'll want to, Tony. There'll be a whiskey chaser in it for him. Well, he's quite busy with home farms still. Oh. Adam said he'd taken a step back and was letting him and Rory do all the donkey work. In fact, that's why I was asking. I assumed Brian would have more time on his hands. No, he has, but...
I shouldn't really be telling you this, but Dad's had some problems with his angina over New Year. Oh, I see. Well, he asked us not to tell anyone, and he hates this sort of attention, doesn't he? And when Ruri fussed about getting his prescription delivered, Dad practically ordered him out of the house.
He's only letting me be here to take the decorations down. He's all right, though. It's nothing serious. No, no, we don't think so. Oh, well, in that case, I'll ask one of the others to help me. Sorry. No, no, no, as long as Brian's all right. We don't want him over-ex... Exerting himself. Oh, I see. Talking about me, are we? Oh, Dad. How are you feeling, Brian? Well, I'll tell you the truth, Tony. I'm feeling mollycoddled and patronised.
We weren't patronising you. Well, it very much sounds like it to me. Alice was just concerned. We know you've got a lot on. What do you mean? Miranda buying the farmhouse. What's that got to do with anything? Well, it's a big move and obviously there's a lot of memories there. It'll be strange. Who for? You? No, not me. Dad, Tony wasn't saying... You don't like the idea of Miranda and me living there? That's not what I meant at all.
Well, you just said it was strange. Well, you didn't mean strange as in weird. Perhaps that wasn't the right word. No, perhaps it wasn't. Dad, will you please calm down? Well, you're... Both be thrilled to know that the sale of Miranda's house has fallen through this morning. Oh, dear. Nobody is pleased about that. And what are you doing with those decorations?
The glass baubles need to be packed separately. Your mother always made that very clear. OK. Sorry. Perhaps everyone should just concentrate on the tasks at hand. Don't let me keep you, Tony.
¶ Investigating the Deleted CCTV Footage
According to the police, they've wiped the backup as well. So does that mean the footage has gone forever? There's no way to get it back? No, apparently not, Joy. Right. Well, what did the police say, Mum? Oh, I felt such an idiot when they turned up. I mean, what was there for? It must have been awful. Well, there's evidence now, isn't there? Oh, my goodness. I just don't understand how anyone could possibly access a system.
This gives me the shivers. And it couldn't have been, like, I don't know, been deleted by accident or something. It doesn't sound very likely, Fanny. Well, it's not impossible, though, is it? Look, neither of you saw anything. On New Year's Eve? Well, the place was full, Mum. No one behind the bar that shouldn't be? Or hanging around? I mean, there was a lot else going on.
And me and Mick went home just before midnight. Ena's not a fan of fireworks, bless us. So we just watched them on the telly instead. And I was out, wasn't I, Mum? Helping with the search for Keira. Look, I wish Harrison hadn't had to go back to work.
He'd know how to deal with all this. Yeah, well, he would have said, wouldn't he, if he'd have seen something? I suppose. And Tracey and Lillian don't know anything. No, look, I reckon we should keep our voices down, you know. Neil's sitting over there. Poor man. Looks like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. Oh, you all right, Tony? Not really, Jolene. I could do with a calming drink. Oh, well, you've come to the right place. Point, is it? Please.
Oh, hello, Fallon. Even, Tony. Hello, Tony. Right, well, we're going to go and start setting up the buffet upstairs. Oh, sounds good. Can I crash it? It's for Lavinia Rafferty's birthday. Oh, on second thought. Come on, Fallon. talk to you about burns. Right, is that everything, Tony? Actually, Jolene, would you mind if I made that two pints? No, of course not, my darling.
Oh, oh, Tony. Oh, sorry, I was miles away there. That one's for you. Oh, well, that's very kind. I still have most of this one. I'm not taking no for an answer. No, thank you very much. Do you mind a phone? Oh, no, no, please. Cheers. Cheers. I won't say Happy New Year. Ah. Well, no. Housebridge Farm. Cold, wet, understaffed. Same as usual. Yeah, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, it's the time of year. Obviously, Will's needed elsewhere at the moment.
It'll help once we get someone in place permanently. Yeah, yeah. More importantly, how are you? Well, George has gone over to Birmingham today for a brain scan. Still, at least they're being thorough. Yeah. Our Emma and Will have gone with him. And Amber, of course. Susan's still very upset by the whole thing, but she's trying to keep busy. Neil. Yeah. I asked how you were. Oh. I know how it feels, you know, to find someone like that. Oh, Tony, I never thought... No, no, no, no. Neil is fine.
George is alive and I'm really glad for all of you. I didn't think he was, you know, when I saw him lying there, Susan said. It looked like someone had made a model of him, a model that had his face, but George just wasn't there.
¶ Facing Grief and Future Plans
Oh, we've got to go big, Fallon. People love Burns Night. It just seems a bit... What? I don't know, bad taste. I mean, is anyone really in the mood to celebrate? Oh, yeah, I suppose. It seems a shame, though, not celebrating Burns' night. Look, we'll do something small, special menu or something. Yeah, well, whatever you think best. Hey, have you spoken to Harrison today? Er, no.
Oh, it must be so difficult saying goodbye when you've had Christmas and New Year together. Which salad have you got there? Butter, bean and red pepper. You two were brilliant behind the bar on Christmas Day. Thanks. Ooh, croquettes. Hey, he'll come back, won't he, for Burns Night?
We could still pipe in the haggis. Very traditional. Look, Joy, it's been a horrible week for everyone and I really don't think I have the headspace. Let's just keep it simple and small. Everything that Lavinia Rafferty's birthday buffet isn't. Thank you for taking the trimmies down, darling. Well, not that you deserve it. Oh, I'm sorry about earlier. And I'll apologise to Tony as well, of course. Yes, you will.
Honestly, Dad, sometimes I feel like the parent. It's embarrassing. I was in the wrong, I know, I know that. I'm not stupid. I know what's really bothering you. Do you? Mum's birthday on Wednesday. And the anniversary later this month. You don't have to pretend, Dad. Not with me. I just... I really don't have much time for January anymore. Yeah.
It's why I don't like taking the Christmas decorations down. Your mother always made the tree so beautiful. When it's gone, the place feels empty and stark. And with her gone, the place feels empty and stark. Dad. You know, you can always come to me, or any of the others, if you're missing her. Well, not Adam. He's gone away. That was very sudden. Well, it's only to Ireland, to Ian's parents.
And they're back tonight, so Xander's there for the start of term. Martha looking forward to being back at school? Yeah, she can't wait. Oh, good. And despite what you might think, Tony was genuinely sorry to hear that the offer of Miranda's house has fallen through. Me too. Well, it's just one of those things, isn't it? Dad, do you really think with all this stress... I'm not stressed. Anyway, I have my angina spray. It's fine now. I know, but...
Is this really the right time to be moving house? It's absolutely the right time. Thank you for what you said, darling. I am grateful. But what I need is a new chapter. And as soon as Miranda finds another buyer, that is exactly what we're all going to have. John and I fell out as well just before he died. I never knew that. Over something so... And that haunted me, Neil, for a long time. Too long, perhaps. But families will always have disagreements.
Most of the time it's because they care too much. Well, perhaps that's my problem. It's not always possible, but try not to go to bed on an argument, Neil. Yeah, sage advice. Thank you for that. You know, I actually feel slightly better. The healing properties of a pint of shires. And some kind words. If you need anything, Neil, any time. Oh, thanks, I will. Though, to be honest, I think it's Jasaru struggling. Really? Seeing George like that. We both thought he was dead. Yeah, of course.
And Hannah's been off sick since New Year too, so it's all hands to the pump at Barrow. A farm being short of labour. Whoever would have imagined. all right? Oh, I don't know. She seems very stressed. There's a lot of it going round, Joy. I know she doesn't want to do much for Burns Night.
But I really think it would give people something to look forward to. Yeah, especially as New Year was so, well, you know. She's probably worried about Marky and Co and this CCTV thing. You know, I've been racking my brains. I know they've broken him before, but how would they know where my laptop is or any of the passwords? It's just...
Far-fetched. Do you always put your laptop away? No, not always, especially if there's a rush on, but... Cyber criminals are very sophisticated these days. I know, but it seems so unlikely. But unlikely doesn't mean impossible. And do you know what I think? I think we need to try and forget all about what happened on New Year's Eve and look forwards. Out with the old and in with the new. Maybe you're right, Joy. Marky and his gang are clearly behind all this, Jolene.
and they'll get what's coming to them. Trust me, people like that always do. At the BBC, we go further so you see clearer. With a subscription to BBC.com, you get unlimited articles and videos. Ad-free podcasts. The BBC News Channel streaming live 24-7 plus hundreds of acclaimed documentaries. From less than a dollar a week for your first year, read, watch and listen to trusted independent journalism and storytelling.
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