Rob and Helen’s future plans for a child are not in harmony. Ian offloads his frustrations and Carol feels at home.

Radio Times: Rob knows what he wants, and Ian opens up.

Characters: Carol, Helen, Henry, Ian, Jill, Rob

• Helen is on the phone to Ian arranging a brunch date, while Rob is preparing to leave for work. The timing of the call provokes sarcastic comments from Rob and he leaves in a huff, leaving Helen to apologise to both Henry, whom Rob ignored, and Ian, saying she should have thought better than to call at such an inconvenient time of the day. Later as she prepares Rob’s lunch, Helen comments she won’t be eating with him, having just eaten brunch. He remains in a bad mood, but Helen states that she has never been happier and wants the same for him. For his happiness to be complete, he would like a child of his own, but for Helen, the time has to be right, with Henry settled in school and the shop up and running.
• Carol is back from visiting Hester in Bristol. The time away wasn’t without stresses and strains and she is glad to be back in Ambridge. Bert has done wonders with the garden and she has been up since 6 am sitting and admiring it. Jill phones her to arrange to take her for coffee and cake on the terrace at Grey Gables.
• Helen and Ian are also enjoying brunch on the terrace. Helen presses him further on his earlier intimation over the phone that he and Adam are hardly ‘love’s young dream’ at the moment – mainly due to tiredness, working long hours and lack of quality time. He updates Helen on Brian’s offer to Adam which in his view is an insult. Rather than exploring other opportunities, such as the job with Debbie, Adam has settled for Brian’s proposal. Ian would have been prepared to move elsewhere for the sake of the relationship. Buoyed by her own state of marital bliss, Helen is convinced that Adam and Ian’s relationship is solid and can withstand pressures. After all, look at how she and Rob have overcome challenges. Ian sounds less than convinced.
• Following cake recommendations from Ian, Jill gives Carol the Ambridge news she’s missed while away, including the disappointing turnout at Shula’s meal. They’d all hoped for a breakthrough in Kenton and David’s feud, but it wasn’t to be on this occasion. Bristol lacked sentiment for Carol which surprised and concerned her. Does this mean she’s dead inside? On the contrary, Jill feels it signals that Carol is more at home in Ambridge. They both comment on how radiant Helen is looking. No one deserves a good dose of romance more than she does. Jill doesn’t pass up the opportunity to try to persuade Carol to join the WI Anniversary celebrations, a 1915 style meal in full Edwardian costume. Maybe Carol would make a good Emmeline Pankhurst?