15/01/2024

Lilian turns up at Blossom Hill Cottage to see Brian with Hilda the cat in tow. Lilian can’t keep her – she’s been driving all of them up the wall, including Justin and Ruby. Brian tries to get out of having her, but Lilian’s determined to off-load Hilda. The only problem is the latch wasn’t properly closed on Hilda’s basket and she’s now run off. They look everywhere for her and eventually find her pining for Peggy at The Lodge’s back door. Brian’s forced to take her in but stresses that Hilda had better not get too comfortable, as she won’t be there for long!Clarrie’s helping Ed with lambing at Grange Farm, but Ed despairs when a ram lamb doesn’t survive. Alistair turns up to see how they’re getting on and ends up helping with a ewe’s problematic twin birth. Unfortunately one of the rams doesn’t make it which adds to Ed’s despondency. Alistair’s understanding when Ed’s upset about how badly it’s all going when he’s been doing everything right. Later Ed’s snappy with Clarrie and then explains his worries that the fields won’t be dry in time for when the ewes and lambs need to be out. He’s sick of living on a wing and a prayer and wonders whether he made a mistake taking on the Texels in the first place. Ed doesn’t know how he’ll be able to afford getting the tree surgery business off the ground. Clarrie puts it all down to the winter blues – once spring comes, Ed will be back on his feet.