13/12/2022

It’s the Berrow Christmas party and Neil admires Jazzer’s festive jumper. Martyn’s busy congratulating himself and the Board on what a great job they’re doing, sweeping Neil aside when he tries to pin him down on the staffing crisis. Jazzer gets more drinks in, hoping to ease the pain of the evening’s events. As they become tipsy they play a truth and lie parlour game, and well-oiled Martyn admits to having been on a TV dating show. Jazzer encourages him to tell all. Neil finds this all a distraction from his desire for a staffing chat – getting the boss drunk isn’t a great negotiating tactic. But Jazzer counsels Neil to wait and see. Tracy delivers some wine to Brookfield for a barn event, and asks after Ben. Ruth’s evasive at first, but then admits she’s tired and the two of them sit down. Ruth fills Tracy in on Ben without going into details. Ruth feels she should have seen it coming, but Tracy sympathises. Kids aren’t always the best at sharing, especially when they’re caught up in their own emotions. Ruth’s finding it hard to be optimistic. It’s exhausting trying to prop up anxious David too, who seems to be overcompensating all the time. Tracy suggests Ruth doesn’t let herself get overwhelmed. She’s not Superwoman. Their kids aren’t perfect either, but they love them with everything they’ve got, and that has to count for something.