Debbie will not make snap decisions; relations between Jenny, Kate and Phoebe are at breaking point.

Radio Times: Debbie is stuck in the middle, and Kate is not the mother Phoebe wants.

Characters: Adam, Brian, Debbie, Jennifer, Kate, Phoebe

• Everyone at Home Farm is on tenterhooks waiting for Debbie’s arrival. Jenny is anxious when Kate arrives and goes to Phoebe’s room to pass some time. Adam and Brian manage to discuss arrangements for the harvest, but it’s hard work. Adam goes outside, on the pretext of keeping Ruairi amused. Jennifer hopes that Brian can avoid an “atmosphere”; he hopes that Debbie is ready to do battle with Adam over the maize. Their honoured guest arrives.
• It’s lemonade in the garden as Debbie catches up with family and village news. Jenny’s on edge, Brian seems permanently grumpy and Adam tries to be emollient. A football kicked by Ruairi upsets Debbie’s drink, Jenny flaps and rushes to get a cloth; Adam goes yet again to sort the child out. Debbie grabs the moment to ask Brian confidentially how things are really going.
• In the house, Kate is annoying Phoebe yet again. She approaches an apology for her behaviour towards Alex but really just wants to be a real mother, offering advice on subjects such as sexual health and birth control. Curling at the edges, poor old Phoebe tries to tell her mother that she wants no advice from her and that Alex and she are still an item. As she rushes off upstairs to take a call, Jenny walks in and insists that Kate join them in the garden.
• Brian takes the opportunity to try to win Debbie over to his way of thinking. She should be telling Adam what crops to grow; they can’t be expected to dance to Adam’s tune, especially if he’s turning “eco warrior” on them. They have a tight business plan to follow. Debbie points out that he can’t just be dismissed; he has a point of view. At that moment, Adam returns!
• Kate insists that she only wants Phoebe to be safe; she has no idea what school has taught her, or anyone else for that matter. Jenny points out that Kate wouldn’t take advice from anyone at her age. She insists that she won’t abandon her daughter as Jenny abandoned her and heads off upstairs to finish dispensing advice. Jenny is distraught. Surely it will all end in tears.
• Adam and Brian are arguing with Debbie desperate to get a word in edgeways. She calls a halt. She will tour the farm before forming any opinion and that’s that. Raised voices are heard in the distance. Kate is incandescent that Jenny was involved in Phoebe seeking contraceptive advice and gives Jenny a very forceful piece of advice, to keep her nose out of her relationship with Phoebe.