Eddie stretches Caroline’s tolerance. Brian and Oliver each plan to take off and leave troubles behind.

Radio Times: Eddie’s in a party mood, and Jennifer plans some mother-daughter bonding.

Characters: Brian, Caroline, Eddie, Jennifer, Joe, Lynda

• What could possibly go wrong? Eddie has promised to throw a birthday party for one of his friends; they have never been to Grey Gables. However, Clarrie has put her foot down, so it will have to be in Joe’s room. Joe is therefore detailed to create a diversion while Eddie smuggles in the booze and food for the party.
• At Home Farm, Brian is rather dreading the Young Farmers’ Treasure Hunt, when they will be invaded by the unwashed of Borsetshire. He is less sympathetic than Jennifer about Kate’s mood. Jennifer wonders whether Kate would go for a different mother and daughter team for the Treasure Hunt, Phoebe having turned her down; Kate doesn’t go for it: she wants a fun night out, not a mobile history lesson. Brian favours going out for that evening and leaving the youngsters to it.
• Lynda and Caroline exchange notes on the aftermath of the flood; Caroline’s insurance company is not being as cooperative as Lynda’s. Oliver wants to take off for a holiday. Why not? Lynda is sure they could cope.
• The party at Grey Gables turns out to be much too noisy to go unnoticed and Caroline has to ask Eddie’s guests to leave – now! They will doubtless find a welcome at The Bull but what is Eddie going to do with all the food?