At Lower Loxley, Chelsea’s wrestling with the right formula for her chocolate cauldron. Vince isn’t happy when people seem to be cutting corners by finding nine hats instead of the requisite ten. Chelsea asserts it’s not important – the point is to make happy memories for the kids so the parents will come back again. Vince persists with his argument, sending families back for the last hat. Freddie lets them know one hat’s gone missing, and agrees with Chelsea that it’s all just a bit of fun. He heads off to sort out disgruntled children. Vince reckons all this makes managing the abattoir seem like a walk in the park. It’s been mayhem. He’s impressed with the smart way Chelsea’s handled her side of it.
Esme’s been looking forward to the Lower Loxley Halloween event; it’s a break from poring over her dad’s finances. They linger in the nursery as Rosie falls prey to the missing witch hat issue. As Pip and Esme chat Freddie informs them Rosie’s donated her hat, so they’re back on track with the trail. Pip points out it wasn’t Rosie’s to give away, but Esme’s delighted for her hat to have such an important role in Lower Loxley’s proceedings. However Freddie has a foot in mouth moment when he gives away that Pip’s been complaining about a needy woman at Meadow Farm. There’s embarrassment all round as Esme reveals herself as the ‘needy woman’. Pip tries to explain, but Esme concedes she needs to face reality. She can’t keep Meadow Farm going like this forever.
