Darrell refuses help. Ray gives Lynda a hard time. Alan has little to offer. Shula questions their priorities.

Radio Times: Alan is concerned and Neil is a good friend.

Characters: Alan, Darrell, Ian, Lynda, Neil, Ray, Shula

• Neil encounters Darrell, who has been sleeping rough in the playground, though he tries to deny it. Darrell refuses to discuss it, and rushes off, but is spotted by Alan, who admits to Neil that he has reservations about raising such big sums for the organ when men like Darrell are in need.
• The ebullient Ray tells a frazzled Lynda to relax. Mrs Shen, the guest he insisted on putting in the Royal Garden Suite, has asked for four expensive glossy fashion magazines, and Lynda is ordered to source them. Icily, she informs Ray that the Hamiltons, who were moved out of the suite for Mrs Shen, have gone elsewhere. Far from seeing that as a problem, Ray airily says that is a problem solved. Lynda also tells him that Marietta has resigned, but Ray is too busy schmoozing new arrivals to deal with that. Ian, keeping out of Ray’s way, brings Lynda coffee and biscuits to cheer her up. He, too, has a problem. Mrs Shen ordered smoked salmon and scrambled egg at 10.30 last night, then sent them back, claiming they were cold. Should they let Caroline know what is going on? Lynda is adamant that nothing must spoil Caroline’s holiday.
• Alan meets Shula, who agrees with him that it is morally indefensible to spend thousands on the organ when men like Darrell are sleeping rough, but all Alan can weakly suggest is that they keep an eye on him; Darrell needs emotional support.
• Ray has heard of Lynda’s thespian interests, and blithely instructs her to produce costumes for the Mexican night. She is also to produce a piñata and a prize for the best moustache.
• Calling at The Bull, Neil is surprised to find Darrell there. He offers Darrell a drink, which is refused; he has crept in to use the toilets and does not want to be seen. Darrell explains why he has not been seen at The Elms; two men there are after him. Neil insists that Darrell take some money for a hot meal. It is all he can do.