A number of bombshells are dropped in Ambridge

Radio Times: Brian finds himself out in the cold

Characters: Adam, Brian, Ed, Jennifer, William

• After moving in at Grange farm, Will settles down to an unusually amicable drink with Ed. They laugh at memories of cider drinking long ago, but Will is stricken with guilt. Ed gently suggests that Nic would have wanted him to laugh again, which causes Will to lead off about the necessity of protecting Nic. Ed wonders what he means.
• As Brian and Adam look at the deer, the atmosphere is somewhat frosty. Adam hasn’t yet managed to speak to Debbie, which annoys Brian, who wants matters settled. Later, when Brian is anxious to begin the partnership meeting, he is annoyed to learn that Alice will be late and Debbie won’t be ringing Adam until 7.00
• With his tongue loosened by the beer he shares with Ed, Will tells him what he meant about protecting Nick. She was the one to mow Matt down, and Will has covered up for her. Ed is shocked; surely that is perverting the course of justice? Will explains that after fetching Poppy, Nic was anxious to get her home. As they rounded a bend, Poppy threw up, and Nic took her eyes off the road just as Matt stumbled in front of her. Nic stopped and tried to ring for help, but there was no signal. In blind panic she drove home. Leaving her to see to Poppy, Will went to see what had happened, by which time the emergency services were there. Will came home, washed the car and later fixed the damage caused by the impact. Nic was devastated, and wanted to tell the police what she had done, but Will persuaded her not to. Matt had recovered and done a bunk, so there was no point. Unfortunately it weighed heavily on Nic’s mind for months, but Will believed he had done the right thing. If she had gone to prison, the effect on the children would have been dreadful. Ed is left speechless.
• At last Debbie rings, but according to Adam, nothing is yet decided. Alice and Kate are siding with Brian, and they family agree that hiving off the arable is sensible. Then Adam drops a bombshell; Brian’s plan doesn’t go far enough, and he must retire completely. Both Ruth and Debbie are of this opinion too.
• Brian erupts is fury. Home Farm is HIS farm – but it’s not, as Jennifer reminds him. It’s now a partnership. Blustering Brian adds up the votes, believing he the majority are in his favour. It’s now turn for Jennifer’s bombshell to be dropped. Brian has forgotten that she is also a partner, and she agrees with Adam. So the majority are voting Brian out. You can’t do this to me, Brian splutters.