13/10/2025

Akram has walked to Brookfield to collect a birthday cake that Leonard’s made for Khalil. When the rain starts David offers to drive Akram home, with a detour to drop off a machine part to a neighbouring farmer, Mulligan. But when they get to Meadow Farm they hear the distressed sound of unmilked cows and discover Mulligan lying dead in the milking parlour, before calling the emergency services. Later, David is grateful for Akram’s company while milking the cows. They discuss what happened when the paramedics got there, waxing philosophical about the meaning of life and death. David worries that he could have prevented Mulligan’s death if he’d called earlier, lamenting he doesn’t even know the name of Mulligan’s next of kin, his daughter, to let her know what’s happened. The least David can do is keep milking the cows, until another solution presents itself. Akram offers to help and both hope Mulligan’s at peace.At the Maliks, Zainab and Khalil banter about his 'surprise' birthday party and presents. Zainab jokes that she’s bought him socks and underpants. Khalil is suitably unimpressed. Later, Khalil complains about being kept waiting for his cake before Zainab gives him her real present: tickets to a match in the Women’s T20 cricket World Cup. Delighted Khalil answers his phone and Akram explains what’s happened to Mulligan. He’s going to help David milk and settle the cows, which means he’ll be late back. Akram apologises for the delay, but Khalil is more concerned that the cows will be looked after.