NN could be reading out the phone book (do those still exist??) and I'd listen!

Yes, there was a sizeable backlog even before the pandemic, and it's almost unworkable large now. Magistrates are supposed to retire at 70, but my sister and many of her colleagues were offered the chance to go on for longer, to help ease the pressure on the Mags courts.

There are lots of photos online of donkeys pulling little traps with one or two people in them, but I don't know how much weight they can pull before it becomes abusive to them - the kind of situation you see horrendous photos of at donkey sanctuaries.

I thought Gem was a donkey, but I'm not 100% certain. I've seen pictures of donkeys pulling small carts and traps, but nothing big enough for people. I agree, there's bound to be a conveniently suitable horse at the stables.

Goodness, how I love Joy 😁😁😁

She sounds as if her dentures aren't fitting properly...

I think several of us were wondering the same! #TheArchers

Alina. We know nothing about her...

Lottie is a friend of Pip's who pops up every now and then. Alina, the bride, is a random Ukrainian woman about whom we know nothing - not even how she knows Pip!

That's definitely how I remember it!