19/07/2024

Pip’s intrigued as Lottie practices her tarot card skills on her, pointing out a card that says someone won’t change how they are to fit with her desires. Pip thinks of Stella, and there’s even a card about cats. They talk about the hen party planning and how the budget is stretched. Natasha pops by to speak with Pip and explains how the Tea Room will now be involved in the hen party, tempting them with suggestions of special things they can source, especially to appeal to the Ukrainian bride. Pip worries about costs, but intrigued Lottie points out one of the cards showed sunflowers – there must be something in that!Lily catches up with evasive Freddie and pins him down about Vince, who Freddie admits has done nothing about Freddie’s bullying troubles. Lily insists that he pursue it, and she has been looking into employment law. But Freddie complains, showing his insecurity – he has a criminal record, and no one trusts him to look after Lower Loxley which he’s due to inherit. But Vince, at least, has some faith in him. Vince catches them chatting and invites them to join him and Elizabeth for dinner. As they talk about Milo Haywood, Freddie squirms as Lily drops pointed comments about bullying. Things become tense as Vince talks of his own experience and the importance of having a thick skin. Away from Elizabeth and Freddie, Lily confronts Vince about his lack of action for Freddie. He brushes it off, until Lily starts quoting employment law and demands that a rather staggered Vince meet his obligations towards his employee.