28/02/2023

While Josh cleans at Hollowtree, Ben talks to him about working at The Laurels. Josh congratulates him – it’s not something he could do himself. It’s hard work but Ben doesn’t mind it. The worst thing is being interrupted by his work phone while attending to residents, though he acknowledges it could be an emergency. Josh brings up Ben’s imminent 21st birthday and Ben’s clear that he wants it to be low key. At The Laurels, Ben gets chatting to the man who was especially grumpy yesterday. Today their conversation goes better and Ben learns that he likes to be called Sykesy. Sykesy’s much friendlier and they discover they have a link through farming – Sykesy’s nephew is in the Hassett Hills co-op. Ben’s attempt to help Sykesy is interrupted by his work phone. Sykesy tells him to go and not to worry about him. Freddie tries to recruit Brad as a volunteer guide at Lower Loxley, but he isn’t keen. Chelsea joins them and tells Freddie not to worry, he’s just picked the wrong Horrobin. Chelsea is put out that Freddie hadn’t planned on recruiting her. She argues her case for giving it a go. Later Chelsea discovers that the guide role is unpaid and she can’t understand why people would do it. Josh is at Lower Loxley delivering eggs and he and Brad suggest reasons why people volunteer. Chelsea isn’t impressed, so Josh assumes she won’t put herself forward for it. But Chelsea reckons that if Freddie thinks she isn’t capable, she’s determined to prove him wrong.