Alistair asks Shula why she has been so out of sorts since the Hunt Ball. Lexi tries to help Ian come to terms with Adam as the biological father.

Radio Times: Lexi offers a shoulder to cry on and Brian puts his foot in it

Characters: Adam, Alistair, Brian, Emma, Ian, Johnny, Keira, Lexi, Pip, Shula

• Adam wishes Ian good luck for the launch of his new menu. Ian is convinced it will be a disaster. And he closes down when Ian says after the launch they will be able to talk about the future. When Pip finally arrives late at Grey Gables with the meat for the launch she gets short shrift from Ian. She tells Lexi she was in a bit of a state because of an appointment in Borchester.
• Emma is less then impressed when Johnny agrees with Keira that the cheap baked beans aren’t as good as the expensive ones. Johnny says he was only mucking about but Emma tears him off a strip. The cheap ones are the only ones they can afford and it doesn’t help when people point it out or take away contract work by cheap, unskilled labour just because they come from the right family.
• Discussing the launch, Shula says she is feeling guilty that Oliver will be alone at Christmas. She wishes they weren’t going away so they could keep an eye on him.
• Brian and Shula chat about how wonderful the meal was. The meat was melt in the mouth and the puddings spectacular. They comment how odd it was the Lilian didn’t turn up. Adam tries to get Ian to accept some of the praise and spends a couple of minutes talking to people when Brian tactfully says to Ian that he isn’t any less of a man for being infertile. Ian leaves. Brian thought he was just showing he was on their side.
• Alistair challenges Shula on her attitude to the trip. Every time he mentions it she just switches off. She has been completely out of sorts since the hunt ball. Why isn’t she happier? She says she honestly doesn’t know.
• In the kitchen with Lexi, Ian tells her that his sperm won’t fertilise a child. He is so disappointed. He had so wanted to pass on a part of this mother to the next generation. Adam has offered to be the sperm donor but it isn’t the same. Lexi says having a baby will be just the same. He’ll show the baby the same love, will pass on the same smile, the same kindness. His mother’s spirit will still be there thanks to the man who loves him so much and wants to have his child. Adam comes in and asks Ian if he is alright. He says no, not yet, but things don’t seem quite so dark as they did a few minutes ago.