20/12/2023
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At Brookfield Stella rehearses her dance moves with Pip but finds it tricky, convinced their routine will be a disaster. She suggests an alternative comedy routine, but when they toss a coin Stella has to accept they\\u2019re sticking with the Sound of Music. Jill\\u2019s glad it fell out that way as Rosie\\u2019s looking forward to it. Stella then commits the cardinal sin of agreeing with Jill\\u2019s criticism of her own lemon drizzle cake, before Stella doubles down in a frosty exchange about post-war farming methods not being up to the standards of modern-day ones. Jill staunchly defends her generation before Pip intervenes as peacemaker. Perhaps they should agree to differ \\u2013 and eat more cake.
Whilst shoeing Harry\\u2019s horse, Chris tells him how much he likes his job and the independence it affords him. When Harry gives his first name Chris realises who he is and Harry apologises for his subterfuge. Chris says he\\u2019ll finish this job, but won\\u2019t take any more work from him. Harry admits he\\u2019s handling this badly, but avers that Alice only has good things to say about Chris. Harry doesn\\u2019t want him and Chris to be enemies \\u2013 he\\u2019s not trying to take Chris\\u2019s place in Alice and Martha\\u2019s lives. \\nLater, Susan agrees with Chris that he\\u2019s right to be suspicious of Harry\\u2019s intentions in offering to put more work his way. Chris admits Harry is easy to get on with, but found his self-confidence unsettling. As far as Susan\\u2019s concerned though, Chris is just as good as Harry and has nothing to feel inferior about.
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