Brookfield’s dairy herd will be sold; Ian insists on not going to the party; Rob sinks his knife into Charlie in print.

Radio Times: Ian is not feeling sociable, and there is a wild chase in Ambridge – but it does not involve a goose.

Characters: Adam, David, Eddie, Ian, Joe, Ruth, Tom

• David and Ruth ponder the herd’s sale. They will miss them. The cows certainly missed Ruth when she was in Australia. David wonders why Pip was up late this morning; Ruth puts him straight. At Grange Farm, Eddie and Joe survey the fire damage. Joe reckons that the fire could have been started by children, but when pushed, he’s not sure.
• Ian has let Adam sleep in. Adam mentions Jenny’s farewell party for Charlie. Ian is clearly underwhelmed at the prospect and insists that work commitments prevent him from going.
• Joe visits Tom to tell him that he saw Ronnie and Reggie (the pigs) heading to the Grundy’s field a few minutes ago. He suggests that Ed, Will and Eddie may help with the hunt. At Brookfield, no reactors have been found yet. Ruth has spotted some details of Irish and Yorkshire crossbreds on the internet. David warns that they shouldn’t count their chickens.
• The pigs are found, eating their way through turkey pellets while nesting in straw. The drinks are on Tom, a finder’s fee of sorts. As they load the pigs onto a trailer, Eddie mentions Rob’s piece in The Echo about Berrow Farm blaming poor management for its closure. Adam feels quite sorry for Charlie.
• Good news at Brookfield, they have a clean bill of health. Ruth makes arrangements to phone the auctioneers while David thinks about planning stock buying visits. They’ll need to sort out extra help on the farm to see them through. They remember that it’s the Bank Farm sale tomorrow. It’s an ill wind…
• Ian and Adam are at home cracking open a couple of beers. In response to Adam’s enquiry, Ian is quite clear that he can’t make the party. He can’t arrange the cover. Adam is disappointed, wondering when they last had a night out together. Ian replies very firmly, he insists that he will not go.