Leeford Village episode 68: Let battle commence

Previously in Leeford Village: Clara and George have left the village in order for George to receive therapeutic treatment. Ethel is tasked with looking after their house while the estate agent arranges the sale. Frank tells Sergeant Miller that a Banfield bypass is being planned, which will involve changes to the Leeford Village layout. The bishop has given Revd. Peterson six weeks to reconsider his resignation application. Jessica and Peter are on good terms once more, and Jessica has asked Peter to be MC at the upcoming Folk Festival she is planning.

~

‘You’re looking like you’ve got the world on your shoulders, Ethel,’ says Vera Cleeve tucking into her second croissant. She licks a dab of butter from the corner of her mouth.

‘Want to talk about it?’

Ethel finishes rearranging the day’s cake display and sits opposite Vera, who scoops up a handful of pastry crumbs from the table, dropping them onto her plate.

‘Messy things, these croissants. I think I might go back to bacon sarnies,’ she says.

‘It’s Clara, Vera,’ says Ethel, suddenly.

Vera rubs her hands together to dislodge the last of the pastry. Ethel passes her a serviette.

‘Clara?’

‘Yes. I’m afraid she’s gone.’

‘Gone? Oh, I’m so sorry. I always thought it would be George that would go first, you know, with his illness and…’

‘She hasn’t died, Vera. She’s left the village.’

‘Oh, I see,’ says Vera, looking relieved. ‘When?’

‘A couple of days ago. She left me a note. George is going to receive some kind of treatment.’

‘Well, that’s good, isn’t it?’

Ethel nods. ‘Oh, yes. It’ll do the both of them good. I’ll miss her, though. We’ve been friends for years.’

Vera reaches across the table and holds Ethel’s hand.

‘You’ve always got me, Ethel, you know that.’

Ethel withdraws her hand and wipes a blob of transferred jam onto a serviette.

‘I know that love. Anyway, what’s this I hear about you going on the men’s coach trip to Weston?’

Vera throws her head back and laughs.

‘I’m not, but they think I am. It’s hilarious. I’m just winding them up.’

‘But someone said you’d paid your twenty pounds.’

‘I have. It’s worth it just to see the looks on their faces.’

‘Oh, Vera, only you could do that!’ Ethel joins in with Vera’s laughter.

‘Mum’s the word though, Ethel, eh? I’m going to milk this to the end!’

Ethel taps the side of her nose.

Vera leans forward and squints.

‘Ethel, you’ve got a bit of butter on your nose.’

~

Simon knocks on the door of the vicarage. It’s Zack who answers.

‘Hi, mate. You come to see Dad?’

‘Yeah. Do you know what it’s about?’

Simon walks past Zack into the long hallway.

‘No, he won’t tell me. He just said to message you to see if you could come over. What’s been going on with you two?’

Simon shrugs.

‘So, it’s like that is it. Can’t tell your best mate?’

‘Sorry. I will, but not yet.’

‘You’d better go in and see Dad then. I’ll wait out here and forever wonder.’