Pat and Helen find the psychologist’s report agrees with Helen’s version of Rob.

Radio Times: Helen and Pat have interesting reading, and battlelines are drawn at Home Farm.

Characters: Adam, Brian, Helen, Jack, Pat, Pip, Toby

• Pip remarks that the cows are in a funny mood this morning and Toby makes a sexist joke. He ignores Pip’s mild reproach to complain about all the rehearsals for the Christmas play especially since he has no lines. Pip asks when the next gin tasting is scheduled; Toby notes that they will need more equipment. Today is Stir Up Sunday when the Christmas pudding is given a good stir. Pip hesitantly states that Ruth is urging her to come in large part to patch the breach with Jill. Toby replies that he wouldn’t bother and this seems to influence Pip who declares she is too old for the tradition anyway. Toby asks Pip again to give him money; when the gin takes off, he will be swimming in it but until then, he is short.
• Adam gives Brian a bottle of whisky but Brian is a bit concerted to find it is Japanese. Brian brings up the issue of the herbal lays which he believes aren’t working and he declares that the theory behind the soil enrichment isn’t proven. If the fields don’t look better by spring, they will have to be sprayed off and planted with cereals. Adam is aghast. Brian also brings up the no till lands and says he wasn’t impressed with Adam’s talk to farmers. Adam protests and points to the positive comments received. Brian then changes his tack and says a few comments don’t mean all is well. Adam calls out that he has no time for this now as he stomps off.
• Pat and Helen enjoy Jack who will be 6 months old tomorrow until Helen breaks the idyll by mentioning Rob’s visitation that afternoon. Pat suggests it might be a good time for them to read the psychologist’s report then. It will be nice and quiet. Helen complains about Rob’s upsetting Jack during the visits; he ignores the baby when he grizzles with teething. Pat urges a more optimistic approach and suggests perhaps the psychologist’s report will help.
• Toby reports to Pip about his approach to David searching for work. According to Toby, David responded that Toby knows nothing about farming and there must have been a good reason that Rex sacked him. Toby complains that Pip’s dad and gran think he is a freeloader. He mentions Jill’s dirty look as she stirred the pudding. Pip points out Ruth isn’t against him but she is sure the others will accept him in the end. Pip isn’t giving up on him.
• Helen and Pat are surprised the psychologist’s report largely agrees with Helen’s account. She has seen through Rob and spelled out Rob’s severe issues in clinical language. Helen wonders why they couldn’t have seen this for themselves. The psychologist recommends contact with Jack be reduced to once a month with careful supervision. If there is any sign of harm, the visits should be suspended. This is only a recommendation but the judge is bound to take it seriously.
• Adam turns up to argue for his soil enrichment programme. Much to Adam’s dismay, Brian states that high input is more important and that the whole scheme is on borrowed time.