Elizabeth confides; Adam makes casual enquiries; perhaps unhappiness lies in both actions.

Radio Times: Bert is on hand to help, and Charlie has plans for Adam.

Characters: Adam, Bert, Carol, Charlie, David, Elizabeth, Ruth

• A staff absence puts Adam on the spot, but he’s helped out by an offer from Charlie to man the tractor. At Hollowtree, Bert and David discuss Lynda’s audition call for Rumplestiltskin next week. David is planning a birthday event for Jill with Fallon. As Bert leaves, a very tired Ruth arrives home from Newcastle.
• Carol and Bert are in deep discussion about her plans for the Glebe Cottage gardens. He is sure that he could cope with offering two days per week, especially when he discovers that she shares an interest in medicinal herbs with his wife. As he bids farewell, Elizabeth arrives bearing a housewarming gift of Lower Loxley wine.
• In answer to David’s query, Ruth is not at all convinced of her mother’s ability to cope long term at home, no matter what care is put in. The idea of moving to Ambridge is a total non-starter. There must be other options, but Ruth is just too tired to discuss them now. Later will have to do.
• Adam and Charlie finish work in good time. With nothing else pressing, they agree to call it a day and Adam agrees to help Charlie with a beer in the tractor cab.
• Elizabeth feels that she has been poor company for Carol but accepts her offer of a listening ear. She admits to having been an utter fool with an employee. Carol wonders if it was the Tucker boy. Lizzy is horrified that the relationship was so obvious and bursts into further tears. She begs Carol to keep her secret, especially from Jill. Carol of course swears that she will.
• The tractor cab is inviting, music in the background, Charlie retells a humorous anecdote about recent events and they both laugh. Adam asks if Charlie is going to the Hunt Ball and gets an enigmatic laugh in reply when Adam asks “with who?”. He wonders what Charlie meant the other day when he said the other day “the best things are worth waiting for, don’t rush them”. Charlie says that he must know what he meant, and that it’s all about timing with him.