Oh what a tangled web Pip weaves; what a wonderful gift Richard has sent Shula (anyone seen Alistair?)

Radio Times: Shula shows off a birthday present, and Jill has a question for Pip.

Characters: Anna, Daniel, Dorothy, Helen, Jill, Pip, Shula, Toby

• Helen appears to have experienced some form of an epiphany. She tells Anna that Ian’s letter has helped her to understand just how changed she has become since her involvement with Rob. Perhaps everything isn’t her fault after all. They settle down to a discussion about Helen’s friendship with Ian. Has Helen begun to turn an emotional corner?
• Shula is on the phone telling Jill about the arrangements for her birthday gathering at The Bull later in the evening. Jill senses that Shula is somewhat pressured, but she puts it down to tiredness following her husband’s practice move. Jill hangs up just as Pip rushes by on her way to Hollowtree. Jill passes the message about the party. Pip seems to have something else planned, but she can put it off.
• As if floodgates had been opened, Helen outlines to Anna just what a malign influence Rob had been, how he had slowly caused her to lack any form of belief in her own judgement. How he had chipped away at her relationships with her closest friends, Fallon, Kirsty, and Emma. He hated her having anyone else to confide in. However, when Anna raises the subject of the meeting between Helen and Jess, Helen refuses to give any detail. How could it help anyway? It was Helen who stabbed him, not Jess. More work to do here Anna!
• At The Bull, Daniel recounts his Croatian holiday to Jill and Shula. It seems that Alistair’s been delayed at work. Dorothy turns up having spotted Pip in the bar with the “cocky” Toby Fairbrother. The youngsters head off to see Pip just as Jill spots Elizabeth chatting to Ruth and David. Meanwhile, Toby tells Pip of his friend’s offer of a swanky penthouse flat near the Thames, for the weekend. Just then, Dorothy and Daniel turn up, neither of whom seems keen on meeting Toby.
• Jill admires Shula’s gift from Richard, a brooch. It looks very pretty. Jill wonders what Alistair got her. A satnav apparently. Ah! Jill heads over to the bar to find Pip. As it happens, Pip and Toby are dodging an invitation to a dance from Dorothy and Daniel. Pip is apparently travelling to Sussex to see an old friend and Toby is away at a rugby club shindig. Jill turns up and all but Pip make a sharp exit. Jill makes a characteristically blunt enquiry about whether Pip has any burgeoning friendships. “No” she replies. She’s quite happy being single for the present.
• Outside, Shula stops Daniel from going off to find Alistair. He must keep Dorothy company instead. As he heads off, Shula spots Anna out for a walk. The conversation turns to Helen’s trial. She asks how things are going and rather puts Anna on the spot. She can’t, of course, comment. However, Shula asks if Anna would pass on her best wishes, next time they meet, explaining that she’s thinking of her.