Does Lilian catch the faintest but unmistakable whiff of rodent? Yet another rift in the Aldridge household.

Radio Times: Kate has a birthday surprise

Characters: Alice, Brian, Ian, Jennifer, Justin, Kate, Lilian, Noluthando

• At Brookfield, preparations are underway for Kate’s party. Jennifer is getting the food together while making sure that Kate hasn’t thrown a precious family heirloom away. Success! She spots and rescues Lynda’s book and a piece of her favourite porcelain. Ian turns up, bearing cakes. Kate immediately accepts his offer to prepare the salad and rushes off elsewhere. Jennifer explains that only she and Brian know the story of Helen and the surrogacy. It will go no further.
• Lilian is making something of a fool of herself at Justin’s associate’s cocktail party and Justin’s not best pleased. At Home Farm, Alice and Brian are talking about their party’s horrible music and drumming. Ian and Jennifer arrive with Kate. It’s time for Jenny’s grand surprise, Kate’s daughter Noluthando appears. Kate is overjoyed. It’s hugs and kisses galore. She’s here for two weeks. Kate declares it to be the best present ever. Now let the party begin.
• Justin and Lilian make their excuses to Alice and leave the party. Kate calls for quiet, it’s “honest opinion” time. Brian is full of praise, Spiritual home is a success and he’s very proud of her. He can’t even say that she doesn’t finish what she starts, Spiritual Home has put paid to that. Kate purrs with delight. Jennifer is less than tactful, agreeing with most of what Brian said but insisting that she doesn’t follow through and leaves others to pick up the pieces. Kate moves very rapidly on, almost mid-sentence.
• It’s Alice’s turn to “speak truth unto sister”. Well, she’s fun and can do the unexpected. Her downside is a tendency to tactlessness. Kate is offended and as it’s Alice’s birthday too, offers to give her the same gift. Alice can be wise and witty but also selfish, apparently. Tempers flare. Brian has to step in to avoid further truthful exchanges.
• A little later, an offended Alice is calmed by her mother but insists that Kate can keep any future “gifts” to herself. Alice goes off to get drunk as Kate appears with Nolle. Ian is pleased to see them together. Kate is certain that things will work out for him and Adam. She is somewhat saddened by Sipho’s absence but Nolle’s presence more than makes up for it. Nolle rather bravely points out to her mother that as she’s no longer a child, she would prefer to be called by her proper name, Noluthando. It’s turning out not to be Kate’s night.
• Lilian and Justin are at the Dower House. They are curled up together listening to some more acceptable music than that played at the party. Justin casually mentions that he has drawn up a draft agreement for Lilian to read through regarding Amside’s absorption into the Demara fold. She agrees to take a look but she’s not agreeing to anything. Justin doesn’t want a fight, but they do make such a good team. His 2-3 night stay in Scotland will soon be over. “Wasn’t that originally two days?” asks Lilian. “Trust me” oozes Justin, “everything will be fine.”