05/05/2026

Anna drops in at Bridge Farm, where she sees Natasha and meets Azra, who talks about the Mental Health initiative she’s promoting. Both Natasha and Anna enthuse about the need for it. Natasha also wonders if Anna would take her place as a speaker at the WI. Later, Leonard and Carol tell Anna about the bats. Anna wants to get rid of them, but Carol’s perfectly happy leaving them where they are, especially as they’re a protected species. Leonard says he’ll seek advice and goes. Carol’s testy with Anna when she starts tidying up and offers to do some shopping, but Carol’s more positive regarding the talk to the WI. Back at the Tearoom Anna tells Natasha she wishes there was someone else to help her support Carol and make decisions. But she does agree to stand in for Natasha at the WI.

Azra tells Ruth she thinks she’d be eligible for genetic testing, given the type of breast cancer she had. Ruth tells her that Pip and Ben would like to know if Ruth has the variant, but Josh doesn’t, and since her decision affects all of them where does that leave her? Azra explains the process if Ruth has the test, and the counselling that would be offered. Azra thinks Ruth should talk to her family and think it through. Later, Ruth tells Leonard about her appointment. Wise Leonard counsels Ruth to give it time for everyone to get their heads around it. She’s doing the right thing by considering her options – these things can’t be rushed.