Ed and Emma have to swallow their pride and accept help from Neil and Susan.

Radio Times: Emma hits rock bottom. Meanwhile, Iftikar is full of surprises.

Characters: Ed, Elizabeth, Emma, Freddie, Iftikar, Susan

• Oh dear! Emma has gone into Borchester to shop but is distressed to find that the bank account is empty. She calls Ed, who admits to having filled up the car. Desperate, she visits the food bank but finds that they cannot give her anything to take away – not without a referral. However they do offer lunch for Emma and Keira.
• Meanwhile, back in Ambridge Susan is packing up the substantial rations that the good folk of the village have donated to the food bank – the very food bank where Emma and Keira are enjoying a much needed square meal. So Susan gets quite a surprise when she makes the delivery; so does Emma who is obliged to come clean about their penniless state: less money for the milk and everything coming together has tipped them over the edge. That’s why George is staying at Will’s more: he had accused them of not taking care of him.
• At Lower Loxley, Freddie is preparing for his first lesson with Iftikar, without much enthusiasm, for although he likes Ifty, he doesn’t like maths. Surprisingly, the lesson takes place out of doors and Freddie loves it – praise indeed.
• Susan provides a temporary palliative by paying for Emma’s food shopping and will talk to Neil about more sustained help. So when Ed comes home he is presented with a nice meal and a full larder. Of course he wants to know how and is appalled that Emma had asked her mum. She explains how it came about and persuades him that accepting help is necessary – despite the dent in their pride – because, with less money coming in from the milk, they just can’t manage without.