Adam forces Brian to face facts. Bert helps Toby face up to fatherhood

Radio Times: Brian faces the consequences, and Bert has some wise words.

Characters: Adam, Bert, Brian, Jennifer, Rex, Toby

• In an effort to forget his worries, Toby digs over Bert’s vegetable patch. Bert is keen to tell him about Joe Grundy’s latest money-making initiative, but Toby isn’t interested. Rex then appears, and manages to add to Toby’s woes by announcing that he is pulling out of the Hollowtree tenancy. He is short of money and time; the taxi business and Josh’s enterprise are occupying his time, so he is finishing with goose-rearing. Toby is horrified; he has just signed an extension to their lease. Unfortunately he forgot to consult Rex.
• Adam calls on his parents, where Brian is in a foul mood, and very anxious that Adam should not reveal any more about the chemicals to Jennifer. Adam is not to be deflected, however, and tells them both that he has rung the insurers to see just what the state of play is. Again Brian tries to stop Adam letting his mother know the facts, but again Adam is determined that she too should the truth. Reminding Brian that this is a business matter and that Adam is a partner in that business, Adam makes it clear that the insurers may well not pay up. Poor Jennifer is forced to go and lie down.
• Bert takes Toby inside for a cup of tea and a talking to. Toby is convinced that he will be a total failure as a father just as he is a total failure in life. Bert tells him how he felt when he learnt that he, too, was to become a father, and what his own father told him. Bert knows Toby pretty well, and if he tries, he will be able to be a proper father to the baby.
• Brian lies awake pondering his situation. He claims that he agreed to let someone dump harmless rubbish many years ago, when he needed the money. Then we must find the paperwork, declares Jennifer. But it may not be that simple, as Brian well knows. I may be facing a custodial sentence, he tells his wife.