Toby is kept on board – just; Lynda is determined to step back from everything.

Radio Times: Toby is on shaky ground, and Tom gets the go-ahead.

Characters: Fallon, Josh, Lynda, Pat, Rex, Toby, Tom, Tony

• There’s a crisis meeting of Upper Class Eggs. They face tough choices. Toby announces that he has got the necessary money – almost: Dad has offered a personal loan.
• Pat and Tony are delighted about the news of Neil’s decision. But when Tony thanked Susan, she went very quiet so maybe they shouldn’t make a big fuss. Although he thinks he knows what they will say, Tom seeks their opinion about Nuffield Scholarships.
• Rex reports they have lost a big egg order in Edgeley. With the remaining hens laying less, their losses could be 50%. Josh is unimpressed with Toby’s loan; he thinks Rex’s earlier suggestion is a good one: cut Toby out and do something with him and Rex. Rex thinks that, with the right attitude, Toby could still be an asset and Rex is just about willing to try. Last chance though!
• Pat and Tony find that they are looking at a well-developed proposal, not just a rough draft but maybe it is something for later. Although they are stretched, Tony thinks Tom shouldn’t give up. It would be good for Helen and for the future of the farm. Pat agrees: they can’t always wait; send the form in.
• Fallon seeks Lynda’s advice about the fete. Lynda tells her where she can get a splat-the-rat game but she claims to have no time to persuade Jean Harvey about guess-the-jelly-babies. She feels it is the right time to step back from village events, especially as her ideas are seen as old hat. Fallon implores her not to drop out of everything; she feels terrible now. Lynda is sure the fete will be an absolute triumph.