17/05/2026

Enjoying a Sunday lunch with Helen at The Bull, Kirsty mentions being with Amber when her baby kicked on Friday and nearly revealing her own condition, then adds that she turned down a marriage proposal from Erik. With Kate still away in Scotland, Kirsty’s so far avoided telling her she’s pregnant – Kirsty worries Kate will smother her with herbal care and enforced yoga. As Tracy takes dessert orders, Helen asks if she’d consider more hours in the dairy – she was talking to Kirsty and sees Tracy as a natural artisan who can help her develop a new cheese. Tracy however seems impassive and Helen is surprised that she didn’t jump at the offer - who wouldn’t want to be involved in a new cheese?

Armed with a lemon drizzle, Leonard visits Carol at Glebe Cottage. She dismisses his concern that she’s not wearing her pendant alarm, before Leonard reveals the reason for his visit – Jill wants Carol to go to The Laurels and have a look around. She’d love Carol to use it for respite care, so that safety improvements can be made to Glebe Cottage. Leonard makes the case that Christine is very happy there, standards of care are excellent - and it would only be temporary. However, Carol refuses to visit until Anna arrives when, feeling pressured, Carol reluctantly agrees to see the care home. However, on arrival with Anna, she doesn’t even get out of the car. Carol says she’s seen enough and is adamant: there’s no way she’d spend a single day in The Laurels.