10/05/2022

05/10/22 • 13 min

1 Listener

As the veteran cricketers await a training session with Lee, they discuss the Picnic Day pudding competition, and their lack of match fitness. Lee arrives and drives home the importance of good preparation, though he assures them this session will be basic and not arduous. Pat and Tony bicker gently as they exercise. They seek Lee’s arbitration over their ongoing runout dispute of the day before, but when Tony demonstrates his action on the disputed shot, he accidentally whacks Lee with his bat. As Lee nurses his bruised knee over a drink bought by guilty Tony, he listens to Tony’s philosophical musings on the irony of the team’s trainer picking up an injury. With great restraint Lee pledges to pass on the wisdom he’s gained today to Tracy: never let Pat and Tony bat together. Lily chats to oblivious Jazzer about his telesales technique. He believes it’s all going swimmingly; the prospective customers like his conversation. Lily points out he’s not converting enough calls into actual appointments. Is he the right man for the job? Privately to Shula Lily admits she’s worried he’ll lose the job. She feels Jim and Alistair’s laughter at his methods may be undermining him. And if he goes, she’ll lose her bonus for recruiting him. Shula offers to have a word. She hints to Alistair that Jazzer might be struggling, and when Jazzer gets home Alistair tackles it. All Jazzer needs is for a customer to book a visit from a rep – and he might have an idea about that.

Previous Episode

09/05/2022

Stella puts her foot in it with Jim when he asks her about the slurry agreement with Brookfield. She casually brushes aside his curiosity, confirming a deal’s been done and that there’s been some sniping and moaning from ill-informed villagers. Jim tells her he’s one of the moaners. And he’s not ill-informed. As Stella tries to explain, Jim suggests she might convene a meeting in the village hall if she wants to defend her position. Later Stella apologises for being disparaging, but doesn’t want to be bullied into calling a meeting about the slurry. She’d found Jim rude and dismissive. Alistair acknowledges his father can be a little like that. As the disagreement escalates Alistair has to forge a peace. As Stella finally manages a reasoned explanation regarding the slurry movement, Jim has to admit it seems the scheme will be well managed. He’s happy to take it to parish council. Stella hears the persistent barking of a greyhound as they talk. Alistair explains it’s been abandoned. Stella’s keen to make its acquaintance. Chelsea wants to know the truth about her mum’s financial situation as Tracy rehearses an interview for a table clearing role at Lower Loxley. Reluctantly Tracy reveals more than she’d like about their troubles. Chelsea pledges her support. She’ll sell some stuff to help out. Tracy’s touched, but says it shouldn’t be Chelsea’s worry. Chelsea assures her she’s there all the way. Later Tracy has more bad news. Gary’s got a job and is moving out, so they’ll lose his share of the rent.

Next Episode

11/05/2022

Jazzer’s excited. Tracy has her interview at the Orangery, and he’s secured a commission with a sales rep visit to Greenacres. Freddie informs him this will also mean some commission for Lily, as Jazzer’s recruiter. Tracy comes out of her interview and chats to Freddie about their job situation. She declares thoughtlessly that Freddie has everything on a plate. Freddie reminds her he’s taking over from his dad, and Tracy apologises for her comment. They agree they’re just on different tracks. Tracy gets the news that she hasn’t got the job – but Chelsea has! And every penny she earns will go to her mum. Overcome Tracy hugs her daughter. The Felpersham Kitchens sales rep flatters Jim on the state of Greenacres, but declares the kitchen is underperforming. Panicked Alistair has the rep fetching tile samples, while Jim rolls his eyes. They don’t need a new kitchen. Alistair just wants to help Jazzer out. Jim has a brainwave, and informs Fern the rep that they’ll need agreement from Alistair’s ‘wife’ Shula, who’s currently away. Fern’s about to leave when Shula walks in the door. Initially mystified, Shula soon cottons on to the plan, and plays along, doing an expert job of convincing Fern that she really does not want a new kitchen. Fern is finally squashed. Jazzer’s delighted her visit will mean commission for him, and will help Tracy. Jim’s less positive. They came within a whisker of buying a kitchen they didn’t want, and the odd bit of commission won’t make any difference to Tracy’s money worries.