If your surname is Tucker, a deep depression may be approaching from the east.

Radio Times: Phoebe loses her temper, and Lynda is inspired.

Characters: Ed, Hayley, Lynda, Mike, Phoebe, Roy

• Lynda is at her patronising best as Roy tries to settle in to work at Grey Gables again. She suggests that as his work responsibilities won’t be great this year, Roy might like to put his name down for an audition for the Christmas production. He escapes for home.
• Ed calls to collect Keira from Hayley as Roy arrives home with Mike. Roy’s day has been so-so, but Mike has news that his cottage has been sold to a young couple at the full asking price. Oddly, no one seems to be over the moon at the news. Elsewhere, bad news afflicts Lynda too: Tristram Hawkshaw’s Felpersham Light Operatic Society is attempting an Ayckbourn piece for Christmas. She is mortified. The bar is raised, war is declared.
• Mike gives Ed the news that he has had an offer for the milk round but not the milk, he has his own supplies. Ed is distraught until he gives Mike the opportunity to tell him that he refused the offer. He wouldn’t dream of leaving Ed in the lurch like that.
• Roy is playing music downstairs rather loudly at home unaware that Phoebe is upstairs trying to do her homework. It’s a situation that she doesn’t allow to continue for long. She becomes very animated and is on the point of giving Roy a fair sized piece of her mind, just as Hayley walks in. As tempers flare, damage done, Phoebe walks out.
• Robert and Lynda are out for a walk. Robert suggests Sinbad the Sailor for Lynda’s Christmas offering, but the sight of their dog covered in grass puts the idea of Rumplestiltskin in her mind. They come across a clearly unhappy Phoebe who despite their best efforts, insists that there is no problem and continues walking.
• At home, Hayley and Roy find that Phoebe is at Home Farm doing her essay and will eat there, returning much later. Poor old Roy has still not noticed that Phoebe has been increasingly ill at ease in his company. When Hayley points it out, he wonders if she has caught drift of his tryst with Elizabeth. Hayley is certain that she can’t have and feels that something else must be bothering her. She will have a word with her later. Hmm.