Surely though, with post dated cheques, she can't bank them until she gets back so the money will still all go out at the same time, just a couple of weeks later?
Depends where she is going on holiday. If she is in this country, she can probably bank them weekly rather than in bulk when she gets back.
As a CDC, this is a difficult area. If you think about it, s/he has to "buy in" enough products to supply you for those four weeks that she is away, and for all her other clients so it can be a bit of a financial minefield.
When I am on holiday for a week, I ask people to buy two weeks in advance, and explain that I know it can be difficult but as I have to find the money to buy the products in, I am in the same situation as they are!!
So far, touch wood, it hasn't caused any major problems for my clients, although obviously I can appreciate there is a big difference between 1 week and 3.5 weeks.
Have you spoken to her, asked if there is a way you can pay her weekly?? Perhaps by direct bank transfer into her account for the three weeks she is away?
As for recommending another CDC to you, we don't have locuums as such. It might be worth seeing if there is someone else in the area that you can see while she is away, but remember this is 'holiday' season so you may find that they are a little scarce on the ground.
Hope you manage to sort something out.