Christine persuades Peggy to remain silent about the full extent of her losses. Ruth persuades Pip to return to Brookfield. Adam persuades Ian to take a step towards paternity.

Radio Times: Peggy is horrified and Adam takes the initiative

Characters: Adam, Christine, Ian, Peggy, Pip, Ruth, Shula

• Shula calls at The Lodge to commiserate with Chris over her financial loss, which quickly turns to an outpouring of self-recrimination on Chris’ part. Peggy changes the subject to Emma’s electoral success, and Shula tells them about Susan rubbing it in to Lynda in the shop. Peggy and Chris are surprised to hear that Anisha’s mother has died, and agree that moving her father to The Laurels seems a good idea, though not one that Anisha’s uncle looks on with favour. Chris gets in a great state over a missing and wholly unwanted sugar bowl.
• As Ruth and Pip deal with a sheep, Pip is eager to make her mother ask how things are going with Alfie. Apparently looking at steers at the Fat-stock Show was ‘oddly romantic.’ Ruth’s delight, of course, is evidenced by her special indulgent voice. So indulgent, in fact, that after mentioning the need to update the parlour, and reminding Pip that they are SO proud of her- she is amazing- she has worked so hard to achieve everything and so on ad nauseam, she asks Pip to project-manage it. Pip is delighted, and when Ruth begs her to return to Rickyard, Pip agrees.
• The stress of Christmas menus has hit Ian, who tries a vegetarian option on a none-too-impressed Adam. Ian can’t stop thinking about the Matt affair, and is worried that he told Justin at the ball that Matt was chasing Lilian. Adam insists that if Justin wanted to take Matt down, he’d do it by financial means, not try to kill him. Adam wants to talk more about the baby possibility, but Ian is in no mood to do so. Adam seeks Ian out in his break at Grey Gables to tell him he has made an appointment at a fertility clinic. If they don’t try they will never know whether the whole idea is possible.
• Unable to sleep, Chris wanders the house at night, and Peggy comes down to try and comfort her, though her offer of tea does not meet with favour. Finally Chris reveals the whole truth: her losses are actually £300,000, not £30,000. Peggy is suitably appalled. Chris, meanwhile, is frantic. How will she cope should she need care at some point? It would have to be miles away from Ambridge. Peggy reassures her;she will pay for any care. After all, they have been family for over 70 years. Promising to keep this revelation a secret, Peggy tells Chris they will work something out.