Brian accepts the challenge

Radio Times: Brian accepts the challenge

Characters: Alistair, Brian, Caroline, Debbie, Jennifer, Kate, Shula

• Brian’s in a distinctly combative mood, firstly he’s been told that the land he’s donating for the Millennium Wood cannot be used as cover for his shoot, a fact that Jennifer doesn’t seem very worried about and won’t support him over, and he’s also got every intention of meeting Bert’s ploughing challenge.
• Brian and Jennifer have lunch at Grey Gables to discuss Baby’s trust fund with Peggy and Jack. When they mention the idea to Kate she’s in complete agreement, although Brian makes a distinctly heavy-handed attempt to tie its formation into stopping the legal action with Roy. He claims he can’t easily afford two large commitments, but she thinks he’s trying to armtwist her (along with Hayley, Debbie, everyone else).
• Shula tells Caroline about Alistair’s lack of sympathy and Caroline offers to speak to him. She passes on Shula’s contrition, but Alistair thinks that her entreaties are rich, considering her history. He reminds her that Robin Stokes was a good friend of his and wonders what her reaction would have been if he’d approached her when she’d left Robin. She admits that she wouldn’t have changed her mind and he suggested that she leave Shula and he to sort out their problems.

Summarised by: Chris Harrison