Julie S is over the moon when she receives instructions in the art of home brewing from her son, David. Following an informative chat with Monica, they realise that Chateau Larkhall is within their grasp and set about recruiting other inmates to help them assemble the required ingredients in return for a share. A reluctant Nikki is also persuaded to provide the use of her watering-can as a makeshift demijohn. Nikki and Julie S assemble the ingredients in the potting-shed when Hollamby demands entrance. Hearing the disturbance, Nikki reacts quickly and whips off her T-shirt in front of a shocked Julie S. The door is wrenched open to reveal the two inmates in their bras, having apparently been caught at it. Although Hollamby is disgusted, the hooch is safe.

Some weeks later, Monica receives some terrible news—Spencer has died of a heart attack. The only help Helen can offer is of a practical nature, supporting the inmate back to her cell, providing sedation and cradling her until she falls asleep. Later, Helen seeks out Nikki and solace. Instead, Nikki demands to know how Helen can go home while Monica is stuck in jail and miles from her son’s body. Defensive, Helen terminates their discussion, but as she walks back down the landing, Nikki’s jibes ring in her ears. She finds even less comfort outside Larkhall as Sean is preoccupied with organising their impending wedding.

G-Wing’s inmates try to rally to Monica’s aid, but she is overwhelmed by her loss and her sense of guilt—she should have been there. Monica is numb and impassive when Helen escorts her to Spencer’s funeral. Once at the church, Helen allows her judgment to override regulations and slips off the cuffs. At the graveside, Monica watches with growing anguish as the first handfuls of dirt are thrown onto the coffin. Her grief finally hits her and she jumps into the grave and holds onto her son’s coffin.

Shell is struck by inspiration and sneaks off in search of brownie points by blabbing to Fenner about the hooch. In response, Fenner practically dismantles the potting-shed, but fails to notice the watering-can bubbling in a nearby pile of compost. As an amused Nikki looks on, Fenner is forced to admit defeat. Despite the fact that it renders the drinker breathless, Chateau Larkhall is proclaimed a success and is consumed in the Julies’ cell in honour of Spencer.

When Monica arrives back on the wing, Helen pauses outside Nikki’s cell to tell her that Monica needs some time alone. Unspoken words flow through the cell door that separates them, but they only wish each other goodnight. After lock-up, the women shout words of commiseration and support to Monica who is staring at a photograph of Spencer through her tears.

Memorable Moments

Denny – “Is arse-holes all one word?”
Shell – “How should I know?”
Denny – “Just asking.”
Shell – “What’s it like being as thick as pig-shit Denny?”

Denny – “Oi posh bitch! Is arse-holes all one word?”
Monica – “No, it’s hyphenated, as in arse-licker.”

Nikki – “Well how you gonna keep it at the right temperature?”
Julie J – “Well, what we thought was, we could take it in turns to come down here and hug it.”

Julie J – “Say I’m clever.”
Julie S – “You’re very, very clever.”

Hollamby – “I knew you were up to something yesterday!”
Nikki – “Oh please Miss! You’re not going to report us are you Miss? We were only having a quick feel!”

Shell – “What’s up with you lot?”
Julie S – “We’re upset about Monica’s Spencer.”
Shell – “Oh yeah? I had a dog once that died…really cut me up that did. Well, it weren’t my dog, it were a friend’s but I loved that dog.”
Julie J – “What happened to it?”
Shell – “I never shoulda stuck a firework up its arse!”

Julie J – “Oh shitty, shitty shit…damn!”
Julie S – “Oh bollocks!”
Julie J – “Bollocks!