At No.6 The Green Jazzer moans to Brad about the posh dinner Tracy’s making him go to with Susan and Neil. But Brad has other things on his mind, including the pancake eating competition. Jazzer would far rather go to that, but Tracy refuses to change their dinner date to let him do both. Brad then tells jealous Jazzer he’ll fast before the competition to make sure he beats Zainab. The prize is as good as his.Akram fills Azra in on how Adil is doing in Pakistan, then outlines some ideas to get his business up and running. They share happy memories of biking together, before Azra shocks him with news about Zainab wanting to work in a pub. Later, they consider the idea of moving back to Solihull, amongst old friends. Azra confesses that, despite the sewage spill, they feel settled in Ambridge. She thinks Akram might grow to like it there too. Despite Emma’s best efforts the Tearoom has been dead all day. Both Pat and Emma hope Natasha’s punt on getting customers back with the pancake competition works. Pat’s frustrated that not many people have signed her petition about the sewage overspill. Emma suggests drumming up a bigger response with a media blitz. Later, Emma shows Pat the work she’s been doing online to publicise the petition, using photos of damage at Bridge Farm and adding links to the Borsetshire Clean Water Action Group. Even better, Emma then gets an invite for an interview on Radio Borsetshire – at last, an opportunity for their voices to be heard!
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13:03
02/03/2025
Whilst preparing the meal at Ambridge Hall for breaking their fast, Azra disapproves of Zainab applying to work at The Bull, a pub. Lynda admits how tricky she’s found the fasting, but Azra appreciates the effort Lynda is making to share their experience. Azra then queries Zainab taking part in the Tearoom’s pancake eating competition on Tuesday. An eating competition is not really in the spirit of Ramadan, even if it doesn’t start until after sunset. Zainab talks Azra round, claiming she’s doing it to help their neighbours, who have put themselves out to accommodate her . Besides, Azra is over-catering with this meal, so what’s the difference?On a walk with Monty, after nipping into The Bull, Lynda tells Khalil how sorely tempted she was by Fallon’s brownies. Khalil extols mind over matter, before they compare and contrast Lent with Ramadan, coming to the conclusion that they are both testing in their different ways. Later, as they prepare to break their fast, the Maliks explain the meaning of the Arabic prayers they recite, when the doorbell rings. It’s Akram, Azra’s husband, who has finally come home. Zainab and Khalil are thrilled at the lovely surprise, while Azra admits she kept his return secret so as not to spoil it for them. Akram gives Lynda some traditional presents from Adil for her and Robert. Azra then takes Akram to see the house on Beechwood, but they can’t stay long because of the smell. It will take ages before they can move back in, but at least they do have another option.
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12:55
28/02/2025
Lynda tries to persuade Tom to step down as cricket captain. He soon rumbles her, and Lynda admits Freddie’s come forward. She’s been so busy her wires have crossed and now she’s in a tricky position. Tom’s relaxed, suggesting they have two captains. Lynda’s not at all sure it’s a good idea, but Freddie’s on board. He’d be flattered to share the position with experienced Tom. When they get down to business Tom makes no bones about the fact they need to cut some dead wood from the team now they’ve gone up a division. When uncomfortable Lynda suggests they discuss some of the administrative duties, Tom gives himself the hands-on role, leaving the paperwork side to Freddie. Lynda prefers them to share this workload, but Tom’s discouraged when he sees the size of the risk assessment.Tracy spots Fallon’s distracted. Fallon admits she feels she’s stealing custom from Natasha. She wonders if she should speak to her, and later bites the bullet. To her surprise Natasha is full of sympathy for her, declaring she must be disappointed not to be able to fulfil her dream of a café at the EV charging station. She understands why Fallon feels bitter. Fallon protests, but Natasha thanks her for popping by and sweeps on. Fallon’s flabbergasted at Natasha’s entitled attitude. Tracy reckons the Tearoom took advantage of Fallon. Fallon agrees. If the Tearoom fails, so be it. She’s taking the shackles off. From now on she’s going to look after number one.
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13:09
27/02/2025
Azra’s organising food and her children indulge in some low level bickering. Khalil doesn’t understand why he still can’t participate fully in Ramadan. He leaves to take Monty for a walk. Lynda feels for him. Zainab tries to cheer Khalil with the news that the insurance will cover their damaged tech items. Khalil can’t get past being excluded from fasting. Zainab assures him they’re all just looking out for him. Khalil comments that at least at his new school he’s treated like everyone else.
Azra bumps into Justin and the subject of the sewage leak comes up. Justin sympathises. Azra mentions Robert’s emailed him on the subject, to see if he can help. Justin reckons there’s not much he can do. The liability lies with Borsetshire Water, not Damara as the developers of Beechwood. He suggests it’s up to the whole community to get together and persuade the water company to improve the infrastructure.
Lynda has a dilemma – Freddie’s volunteered as cricket captain and she’d just secured Tom. Robert suggests she retracts the offer to Tom. Lynda will sleep on it.
Concerned for Khalil, Lynda suggests she and Robert stop fasting. Azra feels it will make no difference. She confides that Khalil had leukaemia when he was younger, and it’s her need to protect her son that’s frustrating him. She knows she’s denying him his independence, but she can’t let go of her image of the fragile little boy he was.
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13:16
26/02/2025
Things aren’t getting any better for Natasha as she worries to Joy about both the Beechwood house and the lack of returning business at the Tearoom. She’s missing Fallon keenly. She can’t help thinking that if she was there, they’d get more support. Joy’s not so sure about that; and it’s not like Natasha could have done anything differently. Natasha thanks Joy for the chat. Zainab bumps into Brad and asks if they can talk. After some initial awkwardness they agree they can’t avoid one another forever. They talk about the last time they met up; Zainab comments it’s actually a good idea to ask someone out early on. Brad thanks her for being nice about Chelsea’s previous matchmaking efforts. Both are happy to move on. Natasha approaches and Brad tries to escape but is forced by Zainab into admitting he can’t do the Tearoom promotional videos due to his workload. Zainab sweetens the pill by volunteering them both for the pancake eating contest. Natasha’s delighted.At the Bull Joy mentions her trampled flowerbeds to Lilian, wondering if she saw anyone else hanging about yesterday. Guilty Lilian offers her lunch on the house. Natasha’s amused as Fallon sees off some customers who were deriding the Tearoom. Lilian raises an eyebrow at Fallon’s attitude but Natasha declares it’s cheered her up. However her mood changes once she realises the Bull’s doing breakfasts. She hopes they’re not trying to take advantage of the Tearoom’s downturn. Fallon reassures her, but Natasha knows what she’s seeing. Miffed, Natasha leaves.
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