Warning: Episode may contain strong language, violence and sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.

PREVIOUSLY…

• Ben and Rebecca’s divorce proceedings dragged on.
• Ben and Emma’s budding romance went to the next level.
• Emma arranged STI tests for Tom and encouraged him to tell his wife, Kate, that he was having an affair.
• James and Natalie began an affair while he was oblivious to the fact that Natalie is blackmailing his wife, Julia, over the secret regarding Nick’s biological parents.
• Emma kept inserting herself into Nick’s life, trying to find the right words to reveal to him the secret that she is his biological mother.
• Charlotte did an interview with The Kent Gazette about mental health within the veterinary profession.
• An ambulance arrived at Audrey’s in the dead of night.

Glenbrook Farm,
Glendale

The first light of dawn kissed the rolling hills of Glenbrook Farm as Ben Granger trudged through the dew-covered grass towards the barn. He had been up since before sunrise, tending to the cows and preparing for another day of hard work. It had been a few days since he had spent the night with Emma Blake, and he hadn’t been able to shift her – or that night – from his mind. There was an excitement for the future that Ben hadn’t felt in a very long time.

As he finished milking the last of the cows, Ben’s phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting the quiet rhythm of the morning. He wiped his hands on his overalls and fished the device out, the screen lighting up with a missed call from his lawyer, followed by a voicemail.

“Ben, it’s Philip,” said the resonant voice on the other end. “Call me. It’s important.”

With a hint of trepidation, Ben dialled his lawyer’s number. When Philip answered, his voice was tinged with triumph.

“Good news, mate! The divorce has been granted. It’s finally over,” Philip said, his words carrying the weight of a burden lifted. “It’s done, Ben. You’re finally free.”

The news hit Ben like a bolt of lightning, sparking a rush of emotion that he struggled to contain. For so long, the divorce from Rebecca Williams had loomed over him like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over every aspect of his life. But now, in the moment, it felt like the sun had broken through the storm, bathing him in its warm, golden light.

“Thanks, Phil,” Ben managed to choke out, unable to hide the broad smile that was plastered across his face. “Thanks for everything.”

Philip chuckled softly on the other end of the line. “No need to thank me, mate. You’ve been through hell and back, but you made it.”

As Ben ended the call, a sense of liberation washed over him. He turned his gaze towards the horizon, where the farm stretched out before him as a patchwork of fields and pastures. Feeling lighter, Ben made a silent vow to himself that he would embrace this new chapter of his life, leaving the shadows of the past behind him as he stepped into the future – a future in which Emma featured heavily.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glendale Family Surgery,
Glendale

Emma’s heart quickened as she glanced at the clock on the wall of her sterile yet tidy consulting room. She fiddled with the pen on her desk, the clicking sound matching the rhythm of time. The appointment she had today was not like any other routine check-up or prescription renewal; it was steeped in secrecy, betrayal, and difficult truths.

Tom Spencer entered the room, his usually confident demeanour faltering as he stepped into the clinical atmosphere of the doctor’s office. His eyes avoided Emma’s gaze, and his hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

“Hi Tom,” Emma smiled politely and gestured to the chair opposite her desk. “Please, have a seat.”

Tom silently complied, but his discomfort was palpable. He sat on the edge of the chair, his posture tense.

“How are you feeling today?” Emma asked, her tone gentle but probing.

“How do you think?” Tom shrugged, avoiding her gaze. The truth was, he felt awful. He had felt nauseous, restless, and dizzy for the last few days. His sleep pattern had altered, and his anxiety had increased substantially, especially since the incident involving his grandmother, Audrey. “Nervous, I guess.”

Emma nodded, unaware of the hell Tom was experiencing. “I understand. This isn’t an easy appointment.”

Tom glanced at her.

Taking a deep breath, Emma looked at her computer, her eyes scanning the screen before meeting Tom’s anxious stare. “Tom, your test results came back positive for chlamydia.”

Tom’s shoulders slumped, his guilt evident in every line of his face. He let out a deep exhale of breath and dropped his face in his hands. Self-hatred coursed through him. “I never meant for any of this to happen,” he confessed, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of emotion.

“I understand. But keeping this hidden from Kate will only make matters worse,” Emma replied, her voice gentle but firm.

Tom looked back at Emma and shook his head adamantly. “I can’t,” he insisted. “I can’t tell her.”

“Tom, Kate deserves to know. Keeping this secret will only cause more pain in the long run, and she has a right to know. This could seriously impact her health.”

Tom looked away, and his jaw clenched in stubborn defiance. “I won’t do it,” he muttered.

Emma’s frustrations began to rise. Tom’s pure selfishness baffled her. “I can’t force you to do anything, Tom, but Kate has a right to know, and if you don’t tell her, I will.”

“You can’t,” he spluttered, a prickly heat breaking across his body. “Patient confidentiality means you can’t.”

Emma knew he was correct but hardened in her resolve. “Tell her and whoever you fancy woman is, Tom, because if you don’t, I will, regardless of what the consequences may be.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glendale Veterinary Practice,
Glendale

Charlotte Sinclair sat at her desk, a cup of tea growing cold beside her laptop. She had previously given an interview to The Kent Gazette about mental health within the veterinary profession, hoping to shed light on a topic close to her heart. The article had gone live a couple of days ago, and, with curiosity getting the best of her, Charlotte had decided to take a peek at the online comments section beneath the article.

As she scrolled through the comments, a whirlwind of emotions swept over her. Some comments were heart-warming, expressing gratitude for her courage in speaking out.

Thank you for sharing your story.

You’ve given me hope.

Others were heart-breaking, recounting similar struggles with mental health.

I feel less alone knowing someone like Charlotte understands.

Then there were the trolls, their venomous words stark against the backdrop of empathy and support.

Just another snowflake attention seeker.

Woke bullshit. Why doesn’t she just get over it?

The cruel remark cut deep, but Charlotte refused to let it overshadow the positive impact she hoped her interview would have.

Just as she closed the tab, her phone rang, startling her. It was the reporter from The Kent Gazette. Charlotte answered the call.

“Hi Charlotte. It’s Sienna from The Kent Gazette. I wanted to tell you how thrilled we are with the response to your interview. It’s generating a lot of online traction and discussion, and people are really connecting with your story.”

Charlotte’s pulse quickened with excitement. “Thank you so much, Sienna. I’m glad to hear it.”

“That’s not all,” Sienna continued. “We’ve been brainstorming here at the office, and we’d like to offer you a weekly column. We think your voice is important, and we believe you have a lot more to say.”

Charlotte’s breath caught in her throat. A weekly column? The opportunity to share her experiences and insights on a larger platform? It was more than she had ever dreamed of. After a moment of stunned silence, Charlotte found her voice. “Yes, thank you! Yes, I would love that!”

“Fantastic! We’ll email over the details soon. I’m so excited for you!” Sienna’s voice carried an air of sincerity. “I’m really looking forward to working with you, Charlotte.”

As she said her farewell and ended the call, Charlotte felt a surge of excitement. With her weekly column, she could answer people’s questions about their pets, continue to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and, most importantly, let others know they were not alone in their struggles. There was a pang of sadness in Charlotte’s heart as her thoughts turned to a former boyfriend. If only she had been more aware of or understood his struggles better, then he might still be around today.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Willow Cottage,
Glendale

Broken and bruised, Audrey Granger sat in her cosy armchair. Her right leg was propped up and resting on an ottoman as she nursed a sprained ankle, while her left wrist was strapped to her chest in a sling. Her cheeks and eyes carried dark bruises as if she’d just gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. In the kitchen, Queenie Baxter bustled about, clinking cups and saucers.

“Careful, Queenie, don’t break my good china!” Audrey called out, wincing at the pain of a broken rib.

Queenie clucked her tongue and rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, old duck. I’ve ‘ad plenty of practice by now.” She entered the living room and carefully carried a wooden tray over to the small table next to Audrey’s chair, setting it down with a flourish akin to a game show model. “There we go! Tea for two an’ no chipped china in sight.”

Audrey smiled gratefully, reaching out to take her cup with another wince. “Thank you, Queenie. You always know just what I need.”

Queenie, pleased with her nursing efforts for her lifelong friend, settled into the armchair opposite Audrey. “So, wot ‘appened this time? I almost ‘ad ‘eart attack when I saw the ambulance!”

“Oh, you’re gonna think I’m a daft old cow.”

“Well, I already thought that, so it can’t get much worse,” Queenie replied with a wicked grin and a naughty twinkle in her eye.

Audrey let fly with a raucous laugh that hurt far too much before settling in to tell her story. “Well,” she began with a sigh. “I was going outside to do some new moon gardening.”

Queenie frowned heavily. “Ya wot?”

“New moon gardening,” Audrey repeated as if it were something everyone was aware of. She removed a handkerchief from the sleeve of her cardigan, dabbed her nose with it, and returned it securely under the wristband. “They were talkin’ about it on Radio Four. How the plants absorb the new energy and what not, and I thought, ‘Why not?’”.

“Oh, ya daft ol’ cow.”

“As I’ve gone to go down the stairs, I’ve caught my slipper on the edge and gone arse over tit.”

Queenie’s mouth tightened as she shook her head and took in a long inhale of breath. “And ya still say ya don’t need that stairlift!”

“I don’t!” Audrey baulked with a grumble, her mouth contorting to that of a bulldog. “I’m not some little ol’ lady!”

“Yer eight years off of gettin’ a card from the King for ya hundredth birthday!” Queenie squawked. “Of course yer old, ya silly woman!”

Audrey chuckled, refusing to admit Queenie was right but knowing she was.

“But really, ya are alrigh’, aren’t ya? ” Queenie asked as concern creased her brow. When the blue lights of the ambulance had woken her and she realised the paramedics were at Audrey’s, Queenie’s world had stopped. She thought that the time had come where she had lost her most cherished friend, and the idea had shaken her to the core. Not a daft woman, Queenie knew their time together was coming to an end sooner rather than later, and the thought of living life without Audrey just across the road terrified her.

Audrey nodded, refusing to admit she had been scared and reminded of her own mortality, as she reached down to pat her sprained ankle. “Oh, I’ll survive. Just have to hobble about with this blasted thing for a while,” she said, shaking her new walking stick in the air. “Takes more than a set of stairs to snuff me out. Besides, our Brian and Carol have been talking, and they think it’s best I sell this place and move to Glenbrook.”

As Audrey looked around the room, Queenie could see the sadness and pain in her eyes at the thought of leaving her home of nearly seventy-five years. Audrey knew her children had her best interests at heart, but if the fall hadn’t killed her, the thought of leaving Willow Cottage very well might.

“Well, at least you’ll ‘ave a captive audience for ya stories,” Queenie quipped, trying to brighten Audrey’s mood.

“I guess,” Audrey replied, her voice tinged with sadness and a solemn expression on her face. “If I’m being’ honest, I’d prefer to live with Carol, but I can’t get up and down the stairs at the pub much anymore. At Glenbrook there’s a room for me on the ground floor, but it just isn’t the same, Queenie. It isn’t home. This is my home.”

Queenie leant forward, as much as her old, brittle bones would allow, and squeezed Audrey’s hand in comfort and support. “At the end of the day, it’s just a ‘ouse, Lovie,” she said with a faint smile to try and allay Audrey’s fears and sadness. Suddenly, a bright idea sparked in Queenie’s mind. “I know, why don’t ya move in with me?”

“What?”

“Move in with me,” Queenie repeated. “Well, ya said ya don’t want to live at Glenbrook, an’ ya can’t get up an’ down the stairs at the Oak an’ Vine, an’ I’ve got a stairlift an’ two spare rooms. It makes perfect sense. Besides, I could do with the company!”

The cogs turned in Audrey’s mind as she pondered Queenie’s suggestion. “You know what, old duck, that might just work!”

A broad grin broke across Queenie’s face. “Ya can’t get rid of me that easy!”

Audrey chuckled. “Nor you me, my Queenie, nor you me.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Village Green,
Glendale

The warm sun shimmered high in the sky over the village green. It was the summer holidays, and the air was filled with the sound of children’s laughter and the occasional thud of a football hitting the ground.

Six-year-old Noah Spencer, his brother, Harry, and their second cousins, twins Oliver and Poppy Granger, raced across the grass, their small legs pumping furiously as they chased after the football. Their shouts of excitement echoed through the air, mingling with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves.

“Pass it here, Noah!” Oliver called out, his cheeks flush with exertion.

Noah deftly kicked the ball towards Oliver, who sent it soaring towards the makeshift goal they had set up with their unneeded jumpers.

Meanwhile, Kate, Noah and Harry’s mother sat on a bench nearby, chatting with Jasmine Atkins about the plans for her upcoming engagement party. They watched the children play, exchanging anecdotes and laughter as they enjoyed the warm summer afternoon.

With a terrible kick, Oliver sent the football hurtling towards a figure slumped on a bench nearby.

Poppy, the best footballer of the group, dashed after the ball, her brunette pigtails bouncing with each step. She reached out to grab it just as it rolled to a stop at the feet of the figure.

It was Neha Patel, their teacher, her eyes glazed and her breath heavy with the scent of alcohol. She blinked slowly, trying to focus on the football at her feet.

Poppy hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. She had never seen her teacher look so dishevelled before, and it scared her. Before Poppy could react, Neha’s hand shot out, swatting the ball away with surprising force.

“Hey! What’d you do that for, Missus Patel?” Poppy exclaimed, her lower lip trembling as she fought back tears.

Neha’s eyes narrowed, her expression turning dark with anger. “Watch where you’re kicking that thing, you little brat,” she slurred.

Poppy’s face contorted with confusion. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Her brow furrowed and her mouth puckered tighter than a cat’s backside as her little hands clenched into balls at her side. “You’re a bully,” she said with a rather abrasive tone. “A nasty mean bully!”

Fury flashed through Neha’s glassy eyes, and without hesitation, she pulled a hand back and let fly with a fierce slap across Poppy’s face. The sound reverberated around the village, and lives were changed in an instant. The commotion immediately drew the attention of Kate and Jasmine, a short distance away. Poppy clutched her cheek and howled, floods of tears racing down her plump little cheeks.

Kate and Jasmine rushed over to intervene as fast as their feet could carry them. Had they actually just seen that? Had Neha, clearly drunk and unstable on her feet, really just slapped a child?

“What the fuck, Neha!” Kate bellowed, her furious voice echoing around the village green as she shoved Neha forcefully, causing her to stumble backwards and fall into a small rhododendron bush.

“Poppy, are you okay?” Jasmine asked, kneeling down beside the teary-eyed girl as she tended to her.

Before Poppy could answer, Neha staggered to her feet, her face twisted with rage and brushing dirt and leaves from her hair. “Mind your own fucking business, Jaz,” she spat, her words dripping with venom. “These kids need to learn some respect.”

Kate’s eyes flashed with anger. “Respect? You’re the one who’s fuckin’ drunk in the middle of the fuckin’ day, Neha! You’re a fuckin’ disgrace! And you have no right to lay a hand on a child!”

“Kate! Language!” Jasmine hissed whilst comforting Poppy.

Neha’s cheeks flushed with indignation, but before she could respond, Kate grabbed her by the arm and began to drag her away from the village green.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!” Neha screamed, thrashing about like a feral animal trapped in a cage as she was dragged down Queen Victoria Street.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Thyme Cottage,
Glendale

Ashwin Patel opened the door to find Kate and Neha standing on the doorstep. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of his wife – her clothes rumpled, her hair matted with shrubbery, and her breath reeking of alcohol – held tightly by the arm.

“What’s happened?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern judging from the enraged look on Kate’s face.

“She just slapped Poppy Granger!” Kate replied, still struggling to comprehend what had happened. She thrust Neha forward, who, in her drunken state, crashed to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Neha began sobbing uncontrollably, suddenly realising what she’d done. “She’s a disgrace, Ash!”

Ashwin’s jaw dropped in disbelief, his mind reeling at the thought of his wife behaving so recklessly. He knew Neha was struggling, and a pang of guilt suddenly struck him as he wondered if this was his fault for not taking his wife’s problem more seriously or acting to help her sooner.

Kate’s voice was stern as she issued her warning. “She’s in serious trouble. When Ben and Becky find out what she’s done, there’s going to be hell to pay, Ash. She’s fucked in the head. You need to sort this shit out!”

As the gravity of the situation sank in, Ashwin could only nod in silent agreement, his heart heavy with worry for his wife and the consequences of her actions.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Pineview House,
Glendale

Charlotte nervously twirled a lock of her golden hair around her finger as she sat in the living room, pretending to read a book but really waiting for Mark to return from his afternoon run. Her eyes scanned the same paragraph several times without taking in the words, and her eyes flicked constantly to the window, anticipating Mark’s return. Since her phone call earlier, Charlotte had rushed home and was bursting to tell her husband about the offer from The Kent Gazette.

Charlotte returned her attention back to the paragraph she had read seven times already. She usually loved Jojo Moyes, but today she just couldn’t get her head into gear. The front door opened. Charlotte slammed the novel shut and jumped to her feet. She flew to her husband like a giddy child on Christmas morning, the excitement of her impending announcement practically carrying her two inches off the ground.

“What’s wrong?” Mark asked with a hint of trepidation as Charlotte threw her arms around him and squeezed him tight. In the blur of movement, Mark hadn’t seen the Cheshire cat grin on her face. All he felt was her strong embrace smashing into him like a tsunami, and it worried him. “Who died?”

“What?” Charlotte pulled back; her face contorted with confusion. “No one.”

Mark’s brow furrowed, confused at Charlotte’s confusion. “I just assumed…” his voice trailed off as the married couple entered an awkward, confused silence. “What’s going on?”

Charlotte couldn’t suppress the grin from her face. “They want me!”

Mark blinked rapidly as his mind tried to comprehend the nonsensical sentences coming from his wife. “Who?” He moved his head forward slightly as if trying to hear better. “Who does? What’s happening? You’re making no sense, Lottie.”

Charlotte’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “The Kent Gazette. They called and said they’ve been really impressed with the response to the interview, and, well, they want me to write my own weekly column.”

Mark’s eyes widened with excitement. “That’s incredible!” he said, taking Charlotte’s face in his hands and kissing her tenderly. “Oh God, I’m so proud of you, Bub! What do they want you to write about?”

“They want me to offer advice on pets, share stories from my time as a vet, and even touch on topics like mental health and wellness.”

“That’s perfect! You’ll be amazing at it.”

Despite Mark’s enthusiasm, Charlotte couldn’t shake the nerves that had been building inside her since she received the offer. “I’m glad you think so, but there’s more.”

Mark cocked his head, curious. “What do you mean?”

Charlotte took a deep breath. “Well, they want me to start next week. It’s a big commitment, and I wanted to talk to you about it before I made any decisions.”

Mark’s hands found hers. “Bub, this is an incredible opportunity. You’ve been wanting to share your knowledge and experiences with others, and this column could be the perfect platform for that.”

Charlotte felt a rush of gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support. “Thank you.”

Mark’s mouth contorted into a crumpled grimace, wary of what he was about to say. “But you might have to postpone it by a week or so.”

Charlotte frowned heavily. “What? Why?”

Mark looked back at his wife with a mischievous grin. “Well, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?”

“For our one-year wedding anniversary next week, I’ve booked us plane tickets to Portugal. We leave in a few days.”

Charlotte’s jaw dropped in shock. “Portugal? But that’s… That’s amazing, Mark! I can’t believe you did this!”

“I wanted to do something special for us. For you.”

Tears welled up in Charlotte’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him. It was the perfect ending to the most amazing day. “Thank you, babe,” she said, kissing him again. “I love you.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Oak Cottage,
Glendale

The invitation to dinner at Nick and Jasmine’s had filled Julia Harrington-Jones with anticipation. She had arrived promptly, her mind buzzing with ideas and engagement party plans. Nick had greeted his mother at the door with his usual warmth, while Jasmine’s smile had seemed a touch forced as she welcomed her future mother-in-law into their home.

Now, seated around the dinner table, Julia couldn’t contain her enthusiasm as she prepared to delve into the details of the upcoming celebration, happily refocusing her mind on anything but Emma and Natalie. “And I was thinking we could invite your grandmother to stay at Ashbourne House for the weekend,” Julia said to Jasmine with a lip movement that was part affiliative smile, part grimace. “You could all stay the weekend. We could make it a big uniting of the two families.”

“Sounds good,” Nick Harrington-Jones replied with a less than enthusiastic nod that somewhat took the wind out of Julia’s sails.

Julia tensed and pursed her lips. That had not been the reaction she was expecting. She had been expecting a flamboyant response and an opportunity to peacock about for a weekend, playing the perfect hostess. She looked to her future daughter-in-law, who seemed lost in her thoughts. Sensing something amiss, Julia shifted her gaze between Nick and Jasmine, trying to read the optics. “Is everything alright, Jaz?”

“Hmm?” Jasmine returned to the land of the living and shook the thoughts from her mind. “Sorry, I was a million miles away.”

“I could tell.” Julia’s reply felt abrupt. “If I’m boring you, Jasmine, all you have to—”

“No, you’re not. I’m so sorry, Julia,” Jasmine said, cutting off her future mother-in-law and offering her an apologetic smile. “There’s just been a lot on my mind after today.”

Julia’s brow furrowed in a mix of confusion and curiosity. “Why? What happened today?”

“Something happened with Neha in the village green. She slapped Poppy Granger.” As she said the words out loud, Jasmine couldn’t believe how horrible they sounded. The sight of seeing a drunken adult slapping a young child, a child whom she taught no less, was deeply disturbing and upsetting.

Julia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, remembering the whispers about Neha that were sweeping the village. “What? Isn’t Poppy only young? Why would she do that?”

“She was drunk. And to be honest, Julia, it’s not the first time I’ve seen her like this. It’s obvious she has a drinking problem, and now I’m worried the school is going to ask why I didn’t tell them earlier.”

The revelation unsettled Julia. While she wasn’t particularly close to Neha, Julia had come to know her through the fortnightly Women’s Institute meetings and couldn’t imagine her as the type to be violent. Julia’s mind immediately shifted to the last time Neha had attended a W.I. meeting, and it soon dawned on her that she hadn’t seen Neha at one for at least two months. “I had no idea,” she murmured as a memory of how drunk Neha was at Kate Spencer’s recent birthday party flashed in her mind.

“I guess you never really know what someone is hiding,” Nick said and looked at his mother, giving her a soft smile.

With Nick’s words still ringing in her ears, Julia forced a smile back at her son. “No,” she agreed, guilt instantly consuming her as she tried to hold her voice steady. “I guess you don’t.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Ashbourne House,
Glendale

Moonlight filtered through the curtains of the master bedroom as Natalie Sinclair slipped into her figure-hugging dress, her movements graceful and effortless. James Harrington-Jones watched her from the bed, his arms tucked behind his head and his gaze lingering on her form as he fought the urge to ask the question burning on his lips. Since crossing the line from flirting to a full-blown affair, James had been unable to keep his hands off his personal assistant, who also happened to be his sister’s stepdaughter. They were cutting it fine tonight. Julia would be home soon, but the risk was part of the thrill.

“When can we do this again?” James asked, his voice deep and suggestive. Each moment with Natalie was a tantalising taste of forbidden desire, and he desperately wanted more.

As she stepped into her pumps, Natalie looked back over her shoulder at her boss, her lips curving into a coy smile. “Soon,” she said softly before leaning in to place a lingering kiss on James’ lips. “Very soon.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Oak Cottage,
Glendale

“And what about your parents?” Julia asked Jasmine without looking at her as she scribbled a list of names into a notebook. “Any friends they might want to invite?”

“Dad said he doesn’t have anyone, and mum just mentioned Kate and Martha.”

A frown settled across Julia’s brow. “Martha?” she repeated, looking back at Jasmine over the top of her reading glasses.

Nick stifled a chuckle, amused at his mother’s confusion. “Baby Reindeer.”

Julia’s eyes flicked from Nick to Jasmine and back again. She didn’t understand what was happening. “Correct me if I’m being dense, but what has a baby reindeer got to do with your engagement party?”

Jasmine smiled at Julia before firing Nick a quick glare. “No, ‘Baby Reindeer’ is a show on Netflix, and Martha is one of the characters.”

“She’s a stalker,” Nick added.

Julia still didn’t understand.

“Martha is what we call the new doctor, Emma,” Jasmine added, providing the clarity Julia so desperately needed. “She’s Nick’s Martha.”

Emma’s name hung in the air, and Julia felt herself instantly stiffen. She suddenly felt unable to breathe or form a coherent thought. “What do you mean Emma is Nick’s Martha?”

“She just pops up everywhere I am,” Nick said nonchalantly with a shrug. “Like, I go for a run; there she is. I go into Queenie’s shop; there she is. I go to the pub, and there she is. It’s weird. It’s like she’s stalking me, hence why we call her Martha.”

Julia swallowed heavily, slowly removed her glasses, and closed the notebook. “And Marion wants to invite her to your engagement party?”

“Emma’s harmless really,” Jasmine replied with a smile that was intended to ease Julia’s concerns but only seemed to amplify them. “I just think she’s a bit infatuated with Nick or something. It’s nothing really.”

“She wants me,” Nick boasted jokingly. “She wants my body and my—”

Julia felt revolted. “Don’t be ridiculous!” she snapped, a little too forcefully. If only he knew.

Jasmine and Nick looked at each other, surprised by Julia’s stern response.

Julia realised her mistake and changed course. She forced a soft smile to her lips and inhaled a long, silent breath. “This Emma, she sounds a little unhinged. Are you sure it’s wise to invite her to the party? I mean, we wouldn’t want her causing a scene.”

“I’m sure she’s just lonely,” Jasmine said.

Nick wasn’t so sure. “I mean, I don’t want to talk badly about her or anything,” he said, “but there is something off with her. There’s something not right, and it does scare me a little. It’s like she’s trying too hard or something.”

Julia saw her opening. “Perhaps it’s best to steer clear of her then, Nicky. I’m sure she’s a lovely person underneath it all, but, well, when someone evidently has mental health problems, you can’t be too cautious.”

Jasmine didn’t like the direction the conversation had taken. From all her interactions with Emma, she seemed harmless. Intense, yes, but harmless. “I don’t think she’s unstable.”

“And you’re a medical expert now, are you, Jaz?” Julia fired back, quick as a flash, with a taut expression. “Nicky has said he doesn’t feel comfortable around her, and I can see why.” Julia looked back at her son. “Steer clear of her, Nicky. Who knows what she’ll say or do? When someone is as unstable as this Emma sounds to be, well, then they could say or do anything. She could try and hurt you with her actions, accusations, or unhinged ramblings. And the last thing we need is you buying into whatever nonsense she says or crazy infatuation she’s developed towards you. So just ignore her and don’t engage with her. In fact, it seems that could be the best course of action for all of us. Ignore her. All of us.”

Nick nodded in agreement, and Julia let out an internal sigh of relief, happy that she had managed to already cast doubt in her son’s mind about whatever future plans Emma may have. Across the table, Jasmine eyed her future mother-in-law suspiciously. There was something off about this whole situation; she just couldn’t figure out what.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Greystone Downs Farm,
Glendale

The day had been long, especially given the drama with Neha, but now, as Kate and Tom finally settled into the familiar comfort of their marital bed, she found herself drawn to the allure of intimacy with her husband. With a gentle touch, she ran the tips of her fingers across Tom’s naked chest.

“Tom,” she whispered softly, her voice carrying a hint of desire, although her husband’s attention was more focused on scrolling through Facebook than her. “Do you wanna…?”

Tom offered a distracted smile, not really paying attention to his wife’s words or actions. Kate slowly drew her fingertips down over Tom’s stomach and slipped her hand under the covers, taking him in her hand.

Tom immediately shifted himself away from his wife, his gaze flickering away uneasily. “No, not tonight, Kate. I… I’m not feeling too well,” he muttered in a feeble excuse.

“Sorry.” As Kate spoke the words, a seed of doubt took root within her. Tom’s reluctance felt foreign. He was usually always game for a night of passion. Was it stress from work, she wondered, or perhaps something else entirely?

Kate kissed Tom on the lips, a kiss he allowed but didn’t really reciprocate, and then rolled over with a sigh, picked up her phone, and began scrolling through Instagram.

Tom rolled his head to the side and looked at Kate’s back. He lay there, crippled by the painful truth that he had an STI, a shameful reminder of his clandestine affair, as the shadow of guilt haunted him.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Glenbrook Farm,
Glendale

With Poppy in the living room finding comfort in an ice cream and a cuddle with her grandmother, Pamela, while his father, Brian, was out, Ben held his phone tightly as he dialled Rebecca’s number. He had dreaded making this call since the moment he found out what Neha had done to his young daughter earlier in the day. Now, as the phone rang, he could feel the weight of the conversation and Rebecca’s predictable reaction bearing down on him.

After what felt like an eternity, Rebecca’s voice came through clear and cold. She was irritated, and Ben could sense he had interrupted something. “Ben? What’s wrong?”

Ben took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. “It’s Poppy,” he said. “Something’s happened.”

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Greystone Downs Farm,
Glendale

The darkness of the night enveloped Tom as he lay wide awake, his mind a whirlwind of fear and anxiety. The weight of his secrets was suffocating in the silence, and Emma’s threats echoed in his ears. His head pounded with a headache, and his anxiety began to rise.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Tom slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Kate’s peaceful slumber. The floorboards groaned beneath his weight as he made his way through the house, the back door creaked as he closed it, and the warm night air offered little solace to his troubled mind as he moved into the barn.

Tom retrieved his old Samsung phone from the lock box, his heart pounding with every beat. Fingers flying across the screen, he composed a message and, with a shaky breath, he hit send.

–  G L E N D A L E  –

Unknown Location,
Glendale

In a house in the village, on a bedside table, the screen of an iPhone, silenced by its owner, flashed with a message of just four simple words:

We need to talk.

NEXT TIME…

• Rebecca wants Neha to face justice.
• Natalie ups the stakes.
• Marion and Ed race towards breaking point.
• Charlotte’s interview brings unwanted attention.