Preparing for the Borchester show

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Well I'll walk down with you. I think I're going to need the drain rod. And then when I'm done here I will pop over to Bridge Farm to see Tony about the Borchester show. I can't believe it's only two weeks away. Oh know. How on earth am I going to get everything done? Did you hear from Josh at all this week? Nope. Did you? Apart from that thumbs up on Jill's picture of the chickens, nothing. I suppose we should be grateful ust mean he's getting on okay. No big disasters. True. Um I left another message for PC Druman this morning checking if there's any news on the DNA tests. You still think they'll find the dog who did it. No They'd better. Hi, Adam. Afternoon, Ruth. How are you? Fine. you Yeah, yeah, good I was just wondering if you could speare me half an hour before afternoon milking. I could do with your advice. Actually, it's perfect timing. I'm heading back to the house to put the kettle on. Oh, great. Great. See you soon. Bye Adam's coming round, He wants some advice. Oh What about? Actually I have no idea. I didn't ask him. How did he sound? Okay, I think. I'm worried he's in a bad way. Keep thinking how excited he was when he told me he was inheriting homeome farm. I know, it must feel like the rugs been pulled from under his feet Oh, it's been lovely sitting out here in the sun, like being on holiday. Yeah. Well we have to take advantage of it while it last. Weather's got a turn later in the week. Yeah, I heard that. Thanks for treating me to lunch, Kate. Apologies for not being around yesterday but when Chris invited me to go on the Heritage raailway with Martha and Neil I jumped to the chance. Of course Why I didn't think you and Alice would be too disappointed not to see me on Father's Day? And it turned out Rory was never planning on coming over. He sent an expensive bottle of Scotch that arrived on Saturday. Oh, that's nice.. But you had a good day. Yeah, smashing. Just a shame Xander wasn't with us. I know. You would have loved that. More tea No, please. Though now I think about it, we should have gone somewhere we could order champagne. Why? To celebrate that I get the land back and the farm parership is dissolved. I'm not going to drink to that, dad. Fine, well, I'll have to toast myself with my E grey tea, cheers on Daddy, you do know I'm not on your side in all this. It's lovely having lunch with you, but I don't approve of how you've behaved. Well, we can enjoy each other's company in mutual disapproval then. Oh goodness, it's after two. I better get it going. I'm leading back to back Yoga and Pilates sessions this afternoon. Well I hope that goes well. Thanks. Even though the classes have been pretty full recently, I still need to think of ways to try and boost income. Yeah, me too The planning permission for the caravan storage looks set to be allowed. And exactly what will that entail? Don't worry, donon't worry. They'll be on an area of hard standing at the far end of your field. I'll possibly need to widen the access, but it won't be too disruptive. I should hope not. So I can count on you not to object to the planning application. You can't count on anything of the sort. You've proven that again and again. See you later, dad. Yeah, byye, darling And thanks again for lunch. Just leaving, Kate? Yeah, no rest for the wicked. Allright, Brian. Yeah, well fed and happy, Tony. Do you want to join me? Oh, thanks How' things? Not bad. I've been helping Pat in the garden. We're giving it a complete makeover, but I'm hoping to sneak off and have an hour to myself making repairs to Holldon Junction. H? Oh, you mean your trains sir? My model railway. In fact, if you don't need to rush off, I'd like to show you something What is it? The tiny Angus herd Pat bought me. I've just finished making the fences for Round their field Is this all there is to look forward to, Tony, ourur life's work diminished model size? I'm actually quite pleased with them. It's hardly a replacement for the real thing. If how are you, I'd ignore those pesky kids of yours. Go out and buy them back. Put your foot down, right. And how's that going for you, Brian I know you don't have long, so I'll cut to the chase. Would you be up for being present in a meeting to act as a mediator between Brian and me? Why me? Because you were always brilliant as Rora's representative on the partnership. Thank you. I took that responsibility seriously. Debbie and I often commented on how well you advocated for him. Calm, well informed, never easily swayed. So what would you expect from me in a meeting with you and Brian Well, look, it's no secret that there's been a serious breakdown between the two of us. If I go to Brian on my own, I can guarantee it will end badly. With you there to mediate, I might have a chance of at least saying my peace before he storms out. I don'unt know. I'm really not sure about getting involved in Aldridge family matterns And then there was the dog attack. That was horrendous. I'm so sorry. Thank you. I suppose the more people hear about prosecutions, the less likely they are to let dogs off leads. That's the idea. So, what do you say, Ruth? Will you help me out? Let me think about him Oh, you know, Adam, I wish I had three farms to leave to the kids. Then there'd be no debate, no hurt feelings. I don't know if Ben would thank you for landing a farm on his hands. True. Is Josh still upir? Of course. And I understand why. I just hope he comes to realize that our decision wasn't a judgment on him It's hard though. It is. Hard to avoid bad blood. I remember the time Elizabeth didn't speak to David and me for months when we were entrusted with running Brookfield. You just have to hope that the family bonds are stronger than the conflicts and the hurt they cause. OK, well, I really appreciate you even considering this Let me know what you decide. We'll dick Adam, before you go I'd love to know what you hope to get out of this meeting. What are you most keen to fight for? What compromises are you willing to make Since I'm never going to inherit the farm, what I'm now after is a fair payout for all the partners. Ry Well, I'll have a decision for you by the end of the day. Yeah But you do need to understand that I'm neither on one side nor the other. So you agree with Brian that he owes us nothing? I'm just saying in the meeting, in the role of mediator, I'll have to be completely even handed David, over here. Oh. Almost and see you behind the gooseberry bush Yes. It's in danger of taking over the whole edible forest garden, so I'm harvesting it for this week's veg boxes. Perfect for summer salads. So what about this Borchester show? To be honest, I was pleased to get your ticks I've be meaning to give you a ring or weekend. I've actually no idea what I should be doing to prepare. I feel like I've missed an email or meeting or something. No no, no Let me put your mind at rest The Chief livestock liaison is vital on the day, but there's not a lot you can be doing to prepare for it. So what will be expected of me then? Well, you will be looking after the entrants and the judges. A bit of schmoozing, possibly a bit of troubleshooting? I'm not much of a schmoozer. Oh, you'll be great. not after a glossy top show What we want is a good honest farmer who knows their stuff. And what about the livestock? Well, you'll need to help make sure they're all in the right place, but we won't have the final plans until next week when we start the actual setup. So just sit tight until then. That's right. Yeah, the livestock secretarary is on top of all the admin and biosecurity I just really wanted to check that you will definitely be there on the day. I had a bit of a panic when Tom said that you and Pat were heading to that flower show in Badminst. Oh we are, but it's only a day trip. So you'll be back on the Wednesday Yeahah. I can come straight over to the showground for any last minute instructions. Perfect. But I insist on meeting you in the bll ' pretty sure I will deserve a pint for that stage fine by me. Right, well, I had better get off. I've got a list as long as my arm of things to do. Ruth and Pip have been fabulous. taking on so much more of the farm work to free up my time for this. So what's next on the list? Checking in with all the platinum sponsors and then contacting our mystery special guest who will be giving out some of the prizes on the day And can Chief livestock liaison be let in on the secret of who's going to win? No they can't. Excuse me Hi, Ruth, I'm just heading back. How did it go with Adam? He wants me to mediate a meeting between him and Brian. Oh. And you said yes? I said I'll think Remember how you got burnt before? That's why I didn't give an outright yes fond of Adam and I hate seeing the aldages divided like this. So I think I'm gonna agree to give it a g So Ruth has agreed to be the umpire. But my instinct is to keep it simple, just the three of us. Fine by me. I imagine Alice will feel the same. H I just don't want to be accused of leaving you out of the loop. Are you planning on telling Debbie and Rory? Nope, but I'm sure they won't complain if I can get Brian to agree to a deal that we all benefit from financially I just I wouldn't get your hopes up. Even with Ruth there to keep things civilised, I can't see you getting what you want. Yeah But it's not just what I want or it shouldn't be. What Brian's doing is stealing from us. And what he won't like is you pointing that out. My advice would be to leave it for now. You know what he's like, poke the bear and he'll go into attack mode. Leave it, and I'm almost certain he'll soften and come round in his own time