Helen gives Tom food for thought. Brian gives Jim the benefit of his opinion. Pip gives Ruth a convincing story.

Radio Times: Helen does some straight talking, and Tom forges ahead.

Characters: Brian, Helen, Jim, Ruth, Tom

• Ruth meets Jim clutching the latest issue of Borchester Life. He is happier with this one, but thinks his latest interview will be his last. He is off to Home Farm to interview the Lord of the Manor.
• Helen brings Henry and Rowan to see Tom feed the pigs. She asks whether he has followed up the leads he had for ready meals, but discovers that Tom has done nothing; he just has no energy. Helen gives him a lecture, pointing out that she knows only too well what it is to lose someone you love, but you just have to pull yourself together.
• Since Pip is too busy ‘in the library’, Ruth has to help David with the lambs. She defends Pip, saying how pleased she is that Pip got up so early to go to the library. Pip then rings, claiming that she will be in the library until it closes at 10 tonight. Oozing maternal pride, Ruth relays this to David. Pip is taking her course so very seriously …
• Jim interviews Brian in the kitchen, away from the phone. Brian is in expansive and self-satisfied mood, telling Jim that people usually come round to his way of thinking. Does that include the mega-dairy? asks Jim innocently.
• Helen’s words have made Tom think, and he rings Bellinghams, who are interested in trialling his ready meals in London and the South East. He arranges to see them in a few weeks’ time. Helen’s lecture was just what he needed. He has got to try, however hard it may be.