09/01/2026

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Oh, he found some snowdrops. Oh, yeah. Me old dad used to call them little miracles. However cold the winter, they'd find a way through. No, but it doesn't always feel like it. You're right there, Brian. You... I'd fancy to walk up Lake Eel too then. Yeah, well, I'm supposed to get more exercise. Oh, terrible word. Yeah, indeed. How's George? You don't have to feel obligated to ask.

That's not what I was doing. Monist answer, I don't know. Oh. But he's out of hospital, someone said. Seems to be doing all right, physically. Well, that's good. For you all, I mean. Other than that, I've no idea. I ain't seen him. Is that his choice, or...? I don't think I ever properly apologised for what our George did to you, Brian.

To your Alice. Well, it's hardly your responsibility. Still, I should have, I don't know, done something. Well, I appreciate the sentiment. You probably thought George deserved this. Got what was coming to him. He's your grandson, Eddie. I wouldn't wish that on you or any of you. He's coming over to ours for lunch today. Clary's doing shepherd's boy. Oh, very nice.

Shouldn't you be going, though? It's almost one. Yeah. Probably should be. He's looking thin. Don't you think he's looking thin? I'm all right, Grandma. You don't need to hurt. I do need to fuss George. Part of the grandparent job description. But I've told him to eat more. Have a nice day. Yes, Dad. Yeah, but he seems to have lost his appetite in hospital. Well...

Let's see if your grandma's famous shepherd's pie will help you get it back. If anything can. Now, you sit down there. You all right, Emma? I'm fine. Thanks, Clary. Smells delicious. Yeah, cheers, Grandma. William, would you start cutting some of the bread? Right out, yeah. I just saw Joy in the shop. She was telling me they're doing a Highland Games at the ball. Part of Burns Night. Oh, that's a nice idea.

Maybe we could go along. If you're feeling up to it, George. I don't think so, Mum. Well, it's not for a few weeks. I don't think I'll be that welcome, Grandma. Oh, right. I'm sorry, love. No, it's all right. I don't really fancy it anyway. Where's Dad? Now, I put plenty of peas in the mince, so I ain't done extra on the side, but there's carrots and cauliflower. Leave it, will you? Your Dad's...

I'd to nip out. Where to? Oh, just... He's taking himself off somewhere, hasn't he? Dad, don't. He knew we were coming. Me and Emma have had the day off special. He knew George wanted to speak to him to sort things out and... Who are you messaging? Who do you think? Let me see what his excuse is. Look, your mum's here. She's gone to a lot of trouble. Why don't we all start eating? George, grab yourself a plate, love. I'd rather wait for Dad.

Will, we talked about this the other day. Eddie's finding it difficult and we have to let him go at his own pace. Is that right, Mum? Dad's struggling to care about our son who nearly died. Dad, please don't. Will, you're not helping. Here we go. Message from Dad. Knew it. He ain't coming. Well, what did he say? That he ain't coming. Jaw's pretty cold on, son. Will. Oh, no, don't leave, please. Grandma's done shepherd's pie. Look, look.

Thanks, Mum, but we ain't sitting here all day like a load of idiots waiting for Dad to come back. He's made his feelings clear. Will. Get your coat. You coming, Emma? No, I'm not. This isn't your mum's fault. Well, at least take some home with you. Have it for your tea. No, leave it for Dad. Hope he chokes on it. Who was that? Oh, Al William.

Definitely in the doghouse now. Ah, yes. Regular haunted mine. You and me both, Brian. Yeah. I spend so long in there, I feel I should... Formally change my address and have my mail redirected. Should get myself a sofa in my doggie, see? A few ciders, a little camping stove. Home from home. Is there anything I can do, Eddie? No. Just between you and me, Brian. I'm just missing my dad. Well, that's understandable.

Joe? He was quite a character. Oh, that he was. I'm too old for all this, Brian. Yeah, I feel the same. There's just always something. Never gets any easier. I used to quite... Enjoy is the wrong word. I don't know. It put fire in me belly when it was me and Dad. Trying to struggle through. Him and me, we got into some scrapes. Yes, I seem to remember being on the receiving end of some of them. Those were the days, eh? Don't feel...

There's much to look forward to at the moment. More of the same, if anything. Well, you've got lambing, haven't you, in a couple of weeks? Yeah. Yeah, I bet the ewes are all tucked away in the barn enjoying that Grange farm, hey? More comfortable than our dog has. I've been saving it up. Big demand for high quality hay at the moment. Well, it wasn't a great year in the fields, was it?

We looked after our meadow and got our eye cut nice and early. Wise move. Yeah, that's a nice position to be in. Yeah, able to pick and choose customers. So maybe things aren't quite as bad as they seem. Yeah, maybe. I mean, if you're looking for potential buyers, Alice mentioned over Christmas they were short of hay for the stables. Alice wouldn't buy from us grunties. She's no issue with you, Eddie. Do you want me to mention it to her next time I see her?

If it's no bother. Well, I reckon that's what old Joe would want. Much obliged to you. Will? Oh... Don't start him. Your poor mum is so upset. Well, she'll get over it. Well, it's not her fault. No, no, you're right. Thanks for staying with her. Well, someone had to. Didn't my dad turn up? No, he didn't. See?

Where's George? On the bench on his phone, yeah. I just got some stuff from the shop for our lunch. It seems criminal wasting money on junk when Clary spent ages making that lovely lunch for us. All right, son. Roll. It was till Mick just crossed the road to avoid me. That ain't no notice. What'd you get? Sausage rolls, soup and some fruit for you. Cheers. Is Grandma all right, Mum? Not really, no. But like your dad says, she'll get over it. Who were you on the phone to?

The cops? Really? About Marquis' gang? The police impounded their phones. And? Full of messages about what they were going to do to me, like... Oh, George. Like, mess me up and stuff. Not where or when, but... No, you don't have to say it. They were clearly planning something. I'm lucky to be alive. So what happens now? Are they going to charge him? Already have. Police reckon it'll stick. Yeah.

Does sound quite dammit. I should throw away the key. So what, is that it then? Yeah, for the moment. Well, that's good news. Yeah, amazing news. I'm just going to call Amber and let her know. OK, son. We'll catch you up.

Do you reckon he's all right? Why, it's a lot, innit? What a relief, though. Yeah. What's up? I don't know, Will. I just can't relax till I know George is completely safe from those scumbags. All right, Clary, love. Something smells good. Shepherd's pie. There's plenty left. How did it go? Before. How do you think, Eddie?

I'm sorry. I knew you'd be upset. But I did make myself clear this morning. I've never seen William so furious. Oh, I thought he might be. Emma didn't know where to put herself. Well, that was never the intention. And poor George. His face, Eddie. He were heartbroken. I can't just pretend none of this happened, love. You weren't there that day. You never saw what George was like. How he spoke to us, to Emma and William. What he did to our Edward.

Don't you think he's been punished enough? Yes, Clary, I do think he's been punished enough, but that doesn't mean it's forgotten or forgiven. We're not going to agree on this, Eddie. No, I don't think we are. So what do we do then? We carry on the way we always have. And speaking of which... Oh, here we go. Where have you been? I've been making hay. What? Well, making profit on it any road.

The stables need some, plus several other interested parties have also thrown their hat into the ring. Should be in for a tidy sum. If I can hold me nerve, which I can... I don't believe you, Eddie. What, never? I thought you'd be pleased. Our family is falling apart. This time last week, our grandson was at death's door. I know that. And our granddaughter was so unhappy that she ran away. Anything could have happened to her.

And what are you doing? Another get-rich-quick scheme? I despair, Eddie. Listen, love, I am just as worried as you are. Well, it don't seem like it. All right, then I'll leave the hay, shall I? Let it rot away in the barn till everyone feels better. Oh, we're farmers, Clary. We live off the land and the land is giving us an opportunity. I know that. How many a time I would have loved to just stop? To have a day off? When Nick died? When my dad? Oh, Eddie. But we can't, love.

The animals want feeding, the land wants tending. That's our lot in life, Clary, and if it stops, then we all go under. Oh, I'm going to go and see to the eye. Family always come first with you, Eddie. What's happened? You're like a completely different person. A man can only be pushed so far, Clary. Maybe I am a different person. George, have you...

thought about that you might have to go to court to testify against Markie's lot. Oh, he don't want to think about that now. Well, he hasn't got much choice, Will. You're going to have to prepare yourself to talk about what happened. Yeah, the police said.

And do you remember anything else that might be useful? You need to make sure you're as clear as you can be. It happened so quick. Well, I'm sure any details you can remember would help. They'll have their lawyers, won't they? Trying to twist everything. I hadn't really thought of that.

Well, he said he didn't remember anything else. I know what he said, but a bit of time's passed and something might have come back. We don't want to push him, Emma. No, Mum's right. It's fine. I'm going to have to say it eventually. Yeah, go on. There's not much. Just, like, pain. A ringing noise. I could smell the mud and... I've never felt cold like it. I, er... thought I was going to die. But you don't have to go on, son. That's it, really. Well done, George.

Hey, what did Amber say when you rang her? She always said that it had to be Marky or someone he knows. Right. Well, and the police confirmed it, didn't they, George? With what they found on the phone records. It's all good. We can just get on with our lives. It's over.